The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-04-10
THE SILVER MEN.

THE SILVER MEN.
II They Expect to Cast Their Lot With "a.
They Must Declare Themselves to Es Of
Us.
The populist party is an organized
entity. 1t has a place ON the map of
politics At its birth &c states were
represented. At its first national Gee.
ton its registered vote was nearly
100000 Its representative men in
state and nation have brought it to a
stage of great influence aud power.
They now hold the scales in congress,
so that they go up or down as populist
senators dictate.
But how is it with the silver people?
Wherever they are organized it is only
as friends of silver reconciliation,
democrats and repu hlicaus, insisting
on doing their reform work in their
parties Mr.. Tillman, radical silver
man, says publicly and privately that
he proposes to take his state delera-
ton to the democratic national con-
vention, and to take them there as
democrats. representing the democratic
party of South Carolina. So it is with
all other democrat in congress And
republicans in that party take the
same partisan ground. Up to this
time time not one democrat or repub-
lican in public life has declared him
self absoived from allegiance to his
party on the silver ques ton or any
other subject
When the day of trial comes, as
| come it will, what will these men do?
When. in the beginning of proceedings
in both national party conventions a
resolution is proposed and carried,
binding every delegate to abide by and
support the platform and the candi-
dates of the convention. what will be
the course taken by the silver men
when gold platform is adopted and
gold candidates named? Will they
bolt?-and if they do. will they go to
| their tents and sulk and pout? or will
they be as bold then as they appear to
be uow?-and if they are, will they Or
ganize new party at St Louis or
will they come in q body to the popu-
lists?
In the meantime no populist ought
to pause a moment to consider what
course he shall pursue. Our duty is
perfectly plain. Our national conveu-
ton is called TO meet at a Ger tain time
and place. We are called together as
| populiStS representing a party as large
as that which elected Abraham Lin
coin to the presidency in 1860. We have
recognized creed. The Omaha plat
fern is our written chart Every one
of us believes in each and every great
principle laid down in that document.
We shall probably need to make
some changes in phraseology to make
our meaning more clear, and some
things must be added to include what
present conditions seem to make nee
essary in response to new demands,
touching the powers of government
and our policy concerning foreign af-
fairs This done. the delegates will,
as we think they ought to do. proceed
to name candidates for president and
vice president
When that stage is reached. such of
the silver people as shall have made up
their minds to come to us and be with
us, will be there, and doubtless their
views and their wishes will be given
due weight. They ought and will be,
the Advocate believes, accorded most
courteous and respectful treatment
What this paper insists upon, and
what it wishes to impress upon the
minds of the delegates is, that What is
done at that convention must be done
in the name and by the authority of
the populist party. Let the platform
be revised. if need be, but let it be
done by its friends, and let none hut
populists be considered as candidates.
This does not mean that men who are
new to US shall be excluded. Men like
Teller, Morgan. Carter and Tillmau
bull, Allen and Watson. But let them
first declare themselves to be of US and
with us-Topeka Advocate.
In connection with the foregoing
sentiments. it may be remarked that
most populists entertain the views
tersely enunciated by the Cleveland
Citizen as follows:
LAS there seems to be disposition
in certain quarters to nominate such
men as Tillman, Morgan, Siblev, Boies,
Pingree. Teller and other old party
politicians as presidential candidates
on the peoples party ticket, would it
not be we'll to occasionally mention a
populist for that honorable position,
just for the sake of appearances if for
no other reason? We believe we eX.
press the sentiments of an overwhelm.
ing ajority OF Ohio reformers when
we say no straddiing. Jumping jack,
eleventh-hour. one-idea, old-party poll
tician will be acceptable to the popu.
lists of this state under any circum-
stances Stop this nonsense and stand
10y the brave souls who have manfully
battled for the people in the past and
have made the party great Down
with trimmers and towards within
and without the party. Populists who
believe in popuiism should stand by