Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-05
What VIII the Populists Do ?

The recent national conference OF the
Popullsts held at st. Louis did not at
tract as much attention as it was ex-
pected to attract. BY the way. it is their
opponents and not themselves who have
given them the name Of 'Populists."
They style themselves "the Peoples
party" 1t will surprise some persons
TO learn that at the last national cleo
tons they polled two millions OF votes.
However, these millions of voters elected
only four congressman. But, as the Gin
cinnau Enquirer quotes Wendell Phil
lips as saying on one occasion. "they
stood UP and were counted" They con-
stitute about one sixth OF the voters.
The Enquirer. itself boiling Democrat,
adds that they probably had the sympa-
thy Of large number of those who
still adhered 20 the old parties, and that
paper draws the conclusion that when
one sixth OF the membership Of the two
parties revolt ana march out Of the
ranks under a banner of their own, it is
evident that there are powerful reasons
for the course.
we do not concur in our Cincinnati
contemporary views on this subject.
Such parties as the Populst party are
usually unable TO sustain more than one
defeat; and the little attention which the
people gave 10 the St Louis congress or
conference would seem 10 mean that the
Popullst party has seen its best days.
Those who have already marched out OF
the old parties and into the ranks OF
the Popui!sts will now gradually return
10 their first love. Their hopes OF the sue
cess OF their new organization have been
blasted. The Enquirer, however, speaks
for a gcodly NUMBER OF Democratic NAL
contents when 1t says
1.-The election results in November were
not 50 much Republican victories as
they were Democratic defeats. The party
struck down the Democratic party In
order 70 strike down the insoence Of
Office, OF which the President is the most
conspicuous example this country has
eyer seen They struck down the Demo-
cratic party for the further purpose OF
striking down representatives in Con-
p.ress who had deserted the people who
gave them theii commissions. in order 10
hecome the fatterers, the sycophants, ana
the lackeys Of the President. The peo>
NEE decree In November was that II
Mir. Cleveland's financial ana foreign poll
c,es were Democratic, then the Demo
cratic party snail not longer exist IN the
United States.
The Enquirer seems to forget that the
present administration is a Democratic
administration, and that the Democratic
party Is at present represented by MI
cleveland. That is 10 say, II The Demo-
cratic party has any head 1t IS the Presi-
dent
What are the Presidents financial ana
foreign policies? Ills financial policy IS
his treatment OF the silver question. IL
would, however. be a waste OF time ana
labor for him 20 attempt 70 secure the
passage OF law providing for the free
coinage OF silver SO long rs the New Eng
land and the Middle States stand solidly
Opposed 10 that measure, just az IL would
be a waste Of time and labor for the sill
verite Democrats In Congress TO attempt
TO secure the passage OF such a law 20
long as Mr.. Cleveland is President When
the Enquirer reads out Of the Democratic
marty all the men who are opposed to the
free coinage VI SilsNf " biNVs A"o'~"'"o
orders not TO the Populis;s only. but TO a
large number OF Democrats. We say no.
thing lust now as 70 the Presidents for
eign policy.
But what will the Populists do? Look
10 the ST. Louis conference and answer.
That conference was n failure in many re-
spec,s. 1t did not even lay down new
platform nor FURNISH up It's old creed. but
contented itself with reafiirniing the Oma-
ha platform. We suppose that not one
In ten OF the Enquirers readers would
have recognized the Omaha platform II II
had not been brought forth as such plat
form.
There was no enthusiasm in the 81.
Louis conference. There was nothing In
fact but q gathering Of men whore days
a. aas4s leaders are numbered. The his