Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-09
ADDRESS FROM THE NATIONAL
PEOPLES PARTY.
AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS.
Contributions Of One Dollar Each
Asked From the People, where
with to Fight the Plutocrats and
MonOpoIists.

1.-THE Peoples Party. as its name I'M
plies, is the champion of the masses,
who labor and produce wealth. 1t was
summoned into existence by an Industrial
conference that represented the pro-
ducers Of the nation. When IT sprang
into the political arena It was the only
party demanding the enactment OF laws
for the suppression OF monopolies. and
for equal protection Of all citizens against
the encroachment OF corporate power. 1t
is now the only party In existence which,
with undivided membership, is demand
ing equal rights TO all and special priVi-
leges TO none. To the efforts OF this
party is due the revolt of the masses Of
the Democratic party, which resulted In
turning down the Cleveland Administra-
ton and its British financial policy, and
the nomination Of William j. Bryan on
a platform demanding financial independ-
ence for the United States. The pluto
cratic elements that heretofore domi-
mated Democratic conventions and die
tated nominations are now vigorously re-
senting the action of the Chicago con-
yention. which they consider as an
unwarranted interference on the part OF
the voters. They have organized, and
are now the open and aggressive allies
of the gold Republicans. and, with their
money and votes, viii do everything in
their power to defeat the will of the
people by the election OF Mckinney, the
Republican candidate. whose nomination
was dictated by. and whose administra-
ton is mortgaged to, a combination OF
American and Britich monopolists ana
plutocrats.
THE mission Of the Peoples Party is
TO restore the government TO the people.
To this end it has nominated Mr.. Bryan
for President and Mr.. Watson for Vice
President. which is not only the true
cooperative ticket for the silver voters
of all parties to unite upon, but which
Is also the best silver ticket in the field.
Our friends must not abate one jot or
little Of their interest and efforts to adj
vance the principles Of the Peoples Party
simply because another party has been
forced to adopt nearly all OF our prin-
ciples. II must be remembered that the
control Of the National Democratic Con-
yention was obtained by the silver men
OF that party only through a bitter con-
test in each State-a contest. however,
which was forced upon the party and Its
leaders by the existence and rapid growth
of the Peoples Party Had IT not been
for the Peoples Party. each one of the
old parties would this year have been
running a gold-bug for President. as they
had done in each campaign for the last
twenty years. The Peoples Party has
made this political revolution possible,
and its continued existence and growth
are necessary to secure the reforms for
which the Populists and silver Democrats
are alike contending IN this campaign.
DEMOCRATIC DOUBT
at must also be remembered that there
IS now a considerable minority in the
Democratic party. Ohio. though support
ing the action OF the Chicago convention,
do so from policy. and behind their pre-
sent position is lurking many a doubt
and mental reservation. That these
doubts and mental reservations may yet
reinforce the boiling plutocrats Of the
Indianapolis convention, and render th1
action Of the Democratic party uncertain
in the future. are possibilities TO be dis
counted. and the Peoples Party IS the
only agency through which the people
can do this. Therefore. 1t Is the interest
and duty of every good citizen who be-
Heves In a government as understood and
administered by Jefferson, Jackson, and
Lincoln. 10 upbuild and strengthen this
form and relief possible in this campaign
To have a government OF the people.
the people must have party that is
true 10 them, through which to govern
This they cannot have II the National
Committee Of such party draws its cam
paign funds from bankers and corpora
tiOnists.
1.-THE national committee Of party
exercises great influence IN the selection
Of national officers. from President OF
the United States down 10 the village
postmaster. a political party cannot IN
the nature Of things remain true TO any
other source than that from which il
receives its support. Whenever a ma
tional committee. through some secret
and unseen agency, collects large sums
Of campaign funds. then 1t IS sure that
that party is mortgaged TO those who
contribute such funds. In fact, such a
party is sure to pass laws giving to the
monopolists and trusts who furnish these
campaign funds such special privileges
as will enable them 10 levy tribute upon
the people. When contributions to cam
paign funds come from such sources,
they do not come as a gift. but as an
investment upon which they expect re-
turn hundred fold. IT this were not
So the trusts and monopolies would not
throw away their money in campaigns.
THE PEOPLE MUST CONTRIBUTE.
Therefore, the people must contribute
the necessary funds for some political
party during the campaign in order to
have that party to guard their interests
after the election If the Peoples party
Is placed I'm power. IL will serve the peo-
ple; and to be left free TO do this. your
National Committee cannot and will not
accept contributions from the monopolists
who seek special laws to enable them TO
prey upon the people.
1.-THE Peoples party proceeds from the
people. and is OF the people, and must
receive its support from the people direct,
I'm the form of small contributions from
the individual voter Such small contri-
buttons from the individual voters OF any
political party would furnish an abundant
campaign fund for all legitimate pur-
poses. and enable the party receiving II
TO successfully compete with the corrupt
organization OF bankers, corporationists,
and venal politicians.
Therefore, in behalf Of the people OF
the United States, who produce wealth
and pay taxes, the Peoples Party Ma
tional Committee appeal TO all who are
able and willing 10 do so to contribute
the sum Of 81 10 our national campaign
fund.
"a prompt response Is urgently re-
duested 10 enable us 10 prosecute a
vigorous campaign in defence OF our
homes and liberties. that are menaced
by a combined plutocracy-the Roths-
child Morgan Hanna Mckinley combina-
ton fighting US in front and the Roths-