The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-04-01
HOW CAN WE GET TOGETHER

Mr.. Ira C. Jones, a prominent Min
neapolis Prohibitionist, gives to the pub
lie, through the columns of the Mime
apolis Times, an open letter, addressed
to the writer, in which the latter is in
vited to join the Prohibition party.
knowing that it is sometimes possible
to proselyte a new convert, and as our
faith is in need of new recruits who have
principle that will predominant policy"
says Mr.. Jones, "allow me to drop a few
PROSECUTING suggestions" Then follows
this argument:
1--WE recognize with you the great bull
wark behind which at present political
power is entrenched, and the expediency
of realigning in order to accomplish any
great reform. Yet why, in your desire to
create a new vessel, do you select clay
in the formative state? Rather than as
sist in the completion of one that has
taken definite form, and only needs the
finishing strokes, and which, when COM
peted we believe will be the counter
part of the one desired by you."
Granting that in principle the two par
reason for choosing the Peoples party
as the hope of the future is that in it's
formative stage in 1894 it cast a mill
lion and half of votes, as against
party in it's definite FORM"
There is probably little difference be-
tween thinkers associated with the va
rious reform movements of the day
in regard to the final objects they
desire to see accomplished. For eX-
ample, both the Peoples party and
the Prohibition party are organized to
meet the aggressions of the liquor power
and money power and the land and trans
pOrtation monopOlies. The difference be-
tween the two, and it is almost insignifi-
cant, is one of measures and not of prin-
ciples Mr.. Jones says that his party,
I'VE believe, will be the counterpart of
the one desired by you
The great problem of the day is this
How can the reform forces get together?
| 1t is of far greater importance that the
reform forces are able to unite and Sc
| cure power to make the government re-
| sponsive to the peple, than that any par
ticular measure or half dozen measures
should receive Endorsement in political
platforms, or even in legislation. The
| question is not one of measures, but
whether the reform forces of the nation
will be able to unite and secure power
| enough to enact any measure at all. If
one band of good people flock by them
selves and say that there shall be no
basis of union except laws prohibiting the
liquor traffic; if another collection of
patriots get together and assert that
there can be no union except on the basis
of a single tax on land; if other active Or
carnations make silver or greenbacks
the one basis of union; and if still other
bodies present complete sOcialistic pro-
gramme as their ultimatum in the scheme
of salvation-the probabilities are that
the old party machines and the powers
behind them will continue to rule the
country, and that no one of these reform
movements will have power enough tt
do anything more than make noise.
The Prohibition party has been in the
field since 1872. 1t has succeeded in that
time in rising 20 quarter of a million
votes, which is less than the Greenbaci
and the Know Nothing" movements
have polled at various times The height