The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-25
SOCIALISM IS FIRST
Says C. C. CIemsns to the Populiss
League.
FREE SILVER A FALSE CRY.


The Populist league was more largely
attended last evening than at any pre-
vious meeting for six months. Cool
weather had something to do with it.
G. c. Clemens and Mrs. Annie Diggs
each spoke at length and each declared
that socialism must be the shibboleth of
the Populists for 1896 rather than free
silver.
Their remarks so "stirred up" the
memb ers that the following resolution
was offered and adopted:
"ResOlved, That we are materially OPP
posed to making the free and unlimited
coinage of silver plank the dominant
Issue IN the coming Campaign, but de-
mand the Omaha platform in entirety"
6. c. Clemens, the first speaker said:
The Peoples Party needs nothing so
much as vigorous Kicker. and l am
going to take that part myself this even
ing, for l feel in that mood.
"At Omaha, in 1892, reform forces
formed a partnership There were
Knights of Labor, Farmers Alliance,
Socialists and many kindred spirits. The
question now is, will that partnership be
dissolved in Kansas?
Are we socialists going to be driven
from the party? 1t looks that way.
"If the preamble of the Omaha plat
form was true in 1892, il is now VIII
the support of free silver alone call US
back from the verge of moral and politi-
cal ruin. In the name of God and hui
mainly l say not.
"Moral ruin and corruption have
touched the ermine of the bench; 1 refer
to the income tax decision of the supreme
court of the United States.
L = 10
ganda of government ownership. Free
silver alone will not prevent the corrup-
ton that the Omaha platform tells of.
within three months I have heard
with my deaf ears huzzahs for a million
aire candidate for the presidency to lead
our people. Have our people gone crazy
over this man Sibley, simply because he
is Pennsylvania millionaire
"Shame on US! Will such moves as
this restore our government to the plain
people?
ut is time for some one to speak when
a few self seekers try to wreck the party
by running in an old money bags" to
shape our destiny. l, for one, will not
tip my standard to any such doctrines or
work for free silver alone.
Nv ny do our county conventions adopt
the Omaha platform and then declare for
free silver besides. Don't they know that
the Omaha platform contains plank de-
claring for free silver.
IAN Irishman read an epitaph on a
tomb stone which said, follow me- but
he declined, not knowing which direction
to go
these silver fellows who say to the Popu-
lists follow me- I don't know which
way to go.
81 never lied to the poor in any speech
have made them and l am not going
10 begin now, so l say, away with the
single cry of free silver, it's no panacea
for our ills, Socialism is the cure, if
there is any. Municipal ownership is
the coming doctrine
81 have been converted to this doc
trine for ten years. Before that had no
books, We must spread our literature.
There are two ladies on the Populst
ticket in Shawnee county that should be
elected. l am always gallant.
LET the Republicans go on their way.
They are simply doing what they were
elected to do. Don't scold about their
misdeeds all the time, but go about dis
seminating our doctrines.
sin this existing Christless, Goddess
state of society only the money power is
worshiped. Only it does good and right
How can you consistently talk against
tAGoO IAAuSS Wn9u yO0 nave one Oh tudt
kind of people to head your ticket?"
MIS-. Annie Diggs was called for and
at once took issue with the former
speaker on the millionaire" question.
she said:
II am aware of the danger of a schism
in the party. At first l hailed the ad-
vent of the free silver doctrine because l
hoped it would split the old parties, but
it now looks as if it would rend asunder
the Populists. l disagree with Mr.
Clemens in regard to the danger of a
think Dir. SibIey came by his money
honestly, and in that case it is certainly
no crime to be a millionaire.
"Mr. Sibley is a brave, honest, sincere,
Populist, and l for QUE desire to defend
him against impure motives. But
think even he has come to doubt the en-
tire ACCESSIBILITY of urging free silver
alone, as our party cry for 1896.
"Ws must have the Omaha platform
in entirety. The intelligence of the peo-
pie demands it.
'All the issues which were embraced
in the Omaha platform are stronger to-
day than they were last November and
SO are we.
Il have been in Maryland speaking
and think the greatest progress that
our party has made is n that state.
"My meetings were attended by thous-
ands and they listened patiently while l
scored Cleveland and even cheered me
repeatedly.
They favor Sibley down there and
while have never pulled any wires or
meddled in politics am going to try and
have our people nominate Joseph c,
sibley for president of these United
States.
ave must get together as there are
two factions in our party, one for free
silver the other for socialism.
There will be big federation of the
Populists after this fall election and e
love feast.
"Don't let such men as Bryan and
Bland lead you sstray as to the issues
! Bryan once asked if he should appear be-
! fore workingman's banquet in dress
suit 50. tn 1T - = ..,nh