The Louisiana populist., 1895-04-26
THE CLOUDS PASS BY.
THEY DIDN'T MEAN 1T AND
PEACE REICNS
DIR. Fish Takes His Pen in Hand and
Discusses the situation-Populism Has
Passed Its Period of Danger-Now All
Is Clear sailing.

Populism has just passed through a
period of crisis and danger. 1t has
passed through safely-comes out
heart whole and body sound.
OF course every one familiar with the
current literature of these days knows
that serious effort has been made to
at least modify the peoples party plat
form. Whether it failed because the
Reform Press association was stanch
and immovable or because those who
suggested change did not mean it is Of
slight consequence. The peoples
party remains true to Omaha along gi-
gantic lines of reform-and today 1t Is
one united body
This is a matter of great rejoicing.
And not only because the party re-
mains intact and immovable, but be-
cause the very men who suggested
change remain true to the pole-star
after the exciting attack and riposte
between apparent factions. Mr.. Dun
ming. of the Watchman declares again
his fealty to Omaha. He is, OF course.
strong man, and his journal has
strong hold upon Populists. That he
will cling with answering devotion to
his first love is gratifying to all re-
formers He was terribly severe on
socialists and the reform book makers
of the age But every one can forgive
him for these attacks, and welcome
\ 20 frn = nf
supreme temptation. The two gigan-
tic carcasses, or party Dagons. had be-
gun to smell in the nostrils of the
world, and parting between the toiler
and the pawnshop was at hand. De-
mocracy was wrecked. Now came an
opportunity for the great movement to
yield its identity and sink into the
lesser sea of storm-swept democracy,
and win-win not our elemental princi-
ples-but power.
The great abyss which has swal-
lowed up party after party, and disap-
pointed humanity for ages yawned be-
fore us-at the bottom gilded prom
ises for the Office seeker. Victory was
fed of the old parties, deserting our
platform; and taking up an issue
foreign to our substrat constitution
the silver issue! And, to urge us on
to this dangerous course, we were told
that the other reforms would come
after-that as soon as one issue was
settled they would take up another!
When, in all the cycles Of political his
tory, has that promise been kept?
Never. 1t is impossible to keep 1t.
Again, through struggling years of op-
pressive warfare, and amid sacrificial
tears, would the new party have to be
organized-run the gantlet of the
same dangers and temptations-brave
the same abuse and meet the same
tyrannic dogmatism-before the second
reform could be brought to a consum-
nation by another new party. Gener-
ations pass away in these almost hope
less efforts. But thank God, over, and
over, and over again, the gulf was safe
ly crossed-the party saved-and 1t
is saved intact, with every man faith
fully returning to his duty and his toll.
And what next? Why, the silver
democrats at once organize fourth
party! Yes. and at its very birth it
staggers to its grave. 1t announces
that it is not a party, after ALL II
declares that IL either of the old par
ties will nominate silver coinage man
on a free coinage plank, this new bant- !
ling will cease to exist. Great God,
what farce, And was 1t to such a fraud
as this that tie peoples party was to be
tied? Thank God. over and over again.
that "populi populorum' remained tue