People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1896-09-04
honest then we cannot accept more

Upon no possible theory or basis
can we be asked to yield more, and
by no argument can it be shown
that We can safely do so. II we
would preserve our organization VIC
must stand by the action of the con-
vention and that means Watson
quite as sincerely, honestly, and
earnestly as it means Bryan, Meth
er does it mean tbst we may make q
show of standing by Watson while
giving him away as Kansas has I'M
wisely done. Kansas alone could
have compelled the putting of Wat
son on the ticket and Indiana can do
it yet, for without Kansas and Indi-
ana, Bryan's election would be seri,
ously jeopardized. They do not
risk, and do not feel that they risk
the ultimate carrying out of the re-
forms demanded by conceding the
vice-presidency to us. We do feel
that in surrendering everything to
them we would risk, all that we have
commended for, therefore, they and
not we, are responsible for failure to
elect Bryan, if it fails through not
making the uuion of forces perfect
by putting Watson in place Of Sew
all. In doing it they yield only a
portion of partisan pride. Wa have
given that much already, and would
give more but that with it we must
give to those we would, but cannot,
wholly trust, thu power to crush our
hopes of seeing our country torn
from the grasp of the plutocracy.
Ii the Democratic party was really
wise in its leadership it would wish
us to have the tail of the ticket and
to make the union of our forces as
close and as perfect as possible, for
such union on the national ticket
in 1896 will, if it have the result
which must logi ally be presumed to
follow, restore the Democratic party,
purged aud purified OF its corrup-
ZIONIST leaders and Influences, to
power in every western as well as
southern state in 1898, and insure it's
continuance in power for many years
in the nation. For it would be i'm
possible as it would be undesirable
and undesirable as impossible to con-
tinue separate organizations of Pop,
ulists and Democrats when once
confidence was firmly established by
the accomplishment in part at least
(and so far as could reasonably be
exp cted OF the next congress and a
Demo-Populist president or vice
preSident) Of the reforms demanded.
Naturally thSftfusion of the two
parties in 1898 would be perfect,
they would properly and unavoida-
bly, merge in one and that one would
in all probability retain the name OF
Democrat OF possibly the new Dem
ocracy. Whoever will look at the
situation calmly unaffected by the
clamor of the unthinking or angry
partisans On either side, cannot fail
of recognizing the fact that the plac-
ing of Mr.. Watson upon the ticket
instead of Mr.. Sewall means if sue
cess follows at the polls, the final alb
sorption of the Populist party and
the revolutionizing of the Democrat
10 party against which we have 30
long commended and al the hands of
which vt have suffered everything
except death. 1t is not, therefore,
pride in party name that pro ises us
to refuse to 60 a step further than
we have gone, but instead to de-
mand that the tail of the ticket be
given us.
1t is the earnest conviction that
so, and only SO, can victory for our
principles be assured. Ii is the feel
ing, growing if possible, stronger
with every passing day, that We risk
the principles for which we contend
if re do not now halt, line up, and
hold every inch of ground left US as 3
party.
This communication which is in.
tended to go to your readers, if you
wish it, is already long, but not lon
ger than the necessity of making my
position clear compelled, and have
still left some points untouched, one
of which wish yet to notice as an
argument to our friends the Demo
orata