Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-03-25


Linn Tanner. in Southern Mercury:
!The combination which was entered
into at St Louis on Feb. %. 1892, be-
tween the Farmers National Alliance
'anG lndustrial Union and the Knights
lof Labor, which held their annual con-
vention at the same time and place,
and the platform Of principles which
was there agreed on, and which was
afterwards ratified by the state and sub
iordinate lodges. Is practically the same
as was afterwards reiterated and en-
ldorsed by the Peoples party at Omaha.
Therefore II can be claimed, and
Justly so. that the membership of these
Two organizations are in honor bound
10 support what their representatives
formulated and their societies endorsed
Dy overwhelming majorities.
One or the planks in the platform has
no ambiguity nor straddle In its make
up; but In plain. unequivocal terms
demands" the free and unlimited
coinage OF silver at a ratio OF 1G to 1
with gold. The Democratic party, in
some places. lays claim to that doc
trino as being exclusively their own.
wen! We Will not dispute on that
score. But as so little of real merit Is
TO be found in their platforms, since
they have become thoroughly Sherman
lied, we Will yield them the parentage
OF the doctrine. but must infer that they
have. for a decade. treated the child
thew In, ~
graceful manner.
The Popullsts found It wandering
around the parental mansion, a dIsin-
herited orphan. kicked, cuffed and pro-
nounced dishonest, unsound and bor-
dering on the verge OF worthlessness.
and. knowing its history as a valuable
servant and friend OF the people all
over this great country. they extended
10 IL aid and comfort, and waged war
on its enemies in such n manner that
the whole people became interested
and aroused In its defense, until now
IL almost seems an unnecessary task
10 Iurther educate the people on the
necessity OF having silver placed on an
equality with its brother metal. gold.
Inc men who took up silver and
free coinage as a demand and faunted
II In the face OF the national bankers
and pirates who make raids on the
treasury were not men Of such mar
row brain. nor limited or circumscribed
vision, that they could see but a single
Ill visited upon the producing people OF
the country; their vision took in all the
events which had. under Republican
and Democratic administrations. crept
in and taken hold. thereby sapping the
energies and enslaving the toiling
masses, and, with n manhood worthy
OF emulation and endorsement by
every good and patriotic citizen, they
boldly and defiantly set themselves in
opposition to and made war against
them and demanded their abrogation
and relief at the hands of the law-mal-
Ing branch of this government.
The Democratic party finding that the
voice Of the people was being raised
against the crimes being perpetrated
against silver. commenced a namby
pamby course OF action intended to de.
ceive the people. and through decep.
tion and the holding out Of false prom.
isfs that congress would remove al
discriminating laws against silver. they
have held their party in allegiance unit
now. having accomplished nothing ex.
cept division in their own ranks. ant
the allowing of over $3.50, 500. 900 OF
bonds to be sold to capitalists. who
have been debating the financial policS
OF this country for the last third of &
century.
And now comes another Richmond ir
the field. Not one. however, who come:
with flashing sword to meet the Pop.
ulists and turn them from their purpose
in rehabilitating silver, but who come.
as an ally, accompanied by a small ret
inue of attendants. and who, after cast
ing an eye over the millions who stant
in the Popullst ranks, bids them submit
10 the guidance, dictation OF the Silver
Knight. promising in his name, anC
under q free silver flag, a successful
and glorious victory over the common
enemy.
q, what n tempting bait! Almost
l. as seductive as satan offered our Savior
when he offered Him all the cities Of
the earth If He would give a moment.
worship.
in my humble opinion such a propo.
sition should receive the answer Christ
gave on that memorable occasion, "Ge'
thee behind me. satany In Other
words, the Populist flag was raised tina
all the Ills threatening the prosperity
and welfare of the people might be bat
tied against until removed by legisla
ton. That flag should never be low
cred until a complete victory is secured
and every demand obtained. Bargain
ing, dickering. trading, fusing, com
\ bining, ETC., may be what is known al
practical politics, but no lasting benefits
ever follow in their wake.
1t is high time that the reform pres
Ind the Peoples party speakers wer,
Beginning to educate the people on tn,
bther principles of the Omaha platform
Many voters would come to us If the.
could have their preJudices removed il
regard to the government ownership o
railroads, the anti-alien ownership o
lands, the sub-treasury. etc. To use ;
Western phrase. Let us go the who'll
hog"
Before close. allow me to say tina
he pan of Ignatius Donnelly to max
platform and appoint a conference
with the free silverites. both nominal
ng at the time the same candidate
or president and vice president. /
worthy OF favorable consideration
When nominated by both and accepting
he platform, he or they will. from tn
noment Of accepting the nominatiqi
rom the PoDulists. become pledged y
M honor to abide by the Populist plat
orn. and will. to all intents and pur
boses. be full-fedged PopulIsts. But L
relInquish all our principles except fro
eoinage of silver in order to win tn
votes Of free silyerites. let me say
never! never! never!