The Louisiana populist., 1895-07-12
A SPLENDID LETTER.
SILVER MOVEMENT AN EFFORT
TO DIVIDE POPULISTS,
Success Let Them Enlist Under the
Clean, Bright Banner of the Peoples
Party and March to Victory.

II the Populists adhere to their or
gauization as they should do, and as
it is their duty to themselves, their
political brethren and the country to
do, there is but little doubt of their
success in Texas and many other
states in state elections, and of weld
ing a controlling influence in the
selection Of the next president and
securing the popular branch. of con-
'gress.
Fidelity to party declarations OF
principle. authoritatively and honest
ly made. is a virtue, and to stand by
comrades in the fight that is waged
in support OF such declarations is no
less a virtue. lie is a traitor who
flies TO the foe for pelf, gain. place or
power-a very poltroon who, under
the the circumstances named. evades
the field and who fails to carry the
banner high aloft.
There are times when it is political
wisdom and patriotic to combine with
an enemy to beat back and destroy a
greater one, but this is not the year,
the day nor the hour when Populists
can afford to go to the aid Of, or act
with, any of the parties heretofore op-
posed to them. 1t would be the de-
struction of their party and political
suicide to the individual.
The Populist organization, and the
tenacity, the undying faith with
which they hold to the truth. expe-
diency and justice free and un-
limited coinage of silver at the old
ration has been the heart in which
the life blood OF that principle pull
stated for these many years, while
Democrats abandoned itsand Republi-
cans denounced it. 1t is their princi-
pie. They rescued it from under the
| feet and from the stilletto of the old
parties. Why should they now,
when the principle has grown into
manhood-a giant in and OF itself
take a second place and let those who
would have seen it perish, lead to
victory through, by and because of its
strength? No. that would not be hon.
est, right nor just from any standpoint.
II free silver Democrats, who are
now so enthusiastic, desire the sue
cess of free unlimited coinage of sill
yer, il they wish to be parties to the
establishment of a great American
policy, let them come uuder the Pop
ulist banner and march with us to
victory. They cannot, without eff.
frontery, seek to lead our hosts to
battle. A cloud no bigger than g
mans hand has grown until it is GOV.
ering the whole heavens from the
lakes to the seashores, from the ocean
on the east to that on the west
We can lead our own hosts an6
carry them through the storm of con
fict to the mount of victory. This il
no time for determination with one
enemy or another; it would bring de-
moralization, confusion and defeat; tht
combination might succeed, but Popu
lism would die. Don't be deceived, ml
friends, There is no love for you will
silver Democrats; by them you ar'
mocked, decried, criticised and ridi
culed. They will, if you will permi
them, make instruments of you to bea
, the Republicans and the single golt
standard people, but what then? Yol
are swallowed up in the vortex. You
enemy fiourishes and you pass int
nothingness. Don't tell me that tn,
free silver Democrats are friends of tn
POpulists. 1t is not so. The ma
who so believes, the man who act
! under. such belief, fatally deceive
! himself, and to the whole extent G
his individuality and influence ruin
:. his party and defeats the objects an
purposes of his political friends. b
not deceived! Ii these silver Demo
Gratis love the free silver doctrine yo
, teach and support, they will come
you. If they be honest men, honestl
: advocating the doctrine. they wi
come to you politically and AS patr
e otic men; they dare not stay ava!
q Victory marches under your leader
l. ship. Uphold the colors! Stand /
r your guns!
VI The fight warns up in Texas an
:. all over the country. The battle wi
/ be hot. The right is with you. I
= firm! This silver movement is pract
d cally, whether so intended or not, q
% effort to outaank you. Watch
l. Yield not to it! Join it not! 1t hi
but a tin god for its leader! 1t w
go to pieces and the honest wreckas
> will come to you. 1t will disintegra
al when the party whip is cracked ov
" its back. Don't go to them to
(, stampeded. Keep your eyes on yo'
= own glorious banner! Where
" waves, follow! 1t will wave in II
> thick OF the fight If brave, devot'
~ men carry it there. Up and be doin
Let every man be hero! Victory
yours! Stretch forth your han
er grasp and hold it! Let eve
IN man feel and act as if our coming vi
it tory depended on his single arm, b