Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-11-13
CHAIRMAN BUFFERS ADDRESS.


In the remarkable campaign just
closed the peoples party was the only
party that supported solidly aud united
ly the great and vital issues represented
in the candidacy of Mr.. Bryan. This
was natural, for the peoples party came
into existence to bring to the front
and to press to victory the principles of
Lincoln and Jefferson, already long dis
carded by the two old parties. The
money power. feeling reasonably sure of
its control and domination OF the lead
ers and the controlling influences in the
republican party, in 1892 gave its sup
port to the candidacy of Grover Cleve-
land for the especial purpose of having
him, through the use of patronage and
otherwise, to crush out the silver senti-
ment in the south, and make the leaders
in that party as completely subservient
as those in the republican party. To ac-
cUmplish this purpose four cabinet min
listers were selected from the south and
an unusually large amount of patronage
used on political leaders to the same end.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Cleve
land demanded that the democratic SEN
ators and congressman give decisive
vote in the interests of the gold stand
ard before he would even give out the
post offices.
THE PEOPLES PARTY TO THE FRONT.
This deep-laid plan might have sue
ceeded had not the peoples party at this
iuncture sprung into existence, exposed
the plot. stood IN the breach and APP
pealed to the patriotic hosts of both
parties to check the scheme of the
peoples despoilers and rally to the com
mon defense. Thus the peoples party
repudate Clevelandism and return 20
correct fundamental principles. Not
only this, the peoples party then forced
the republican party to cease hedging
and straddlng for the purpose of de-
ceiving the people and drove them to
take a stand on one side or the other of
the vital issues at stake. The issue now
being squarely Joined, it was evident
that those influences in the democratic
party which had dominated and de-
bauched the party for quarter of a
century would he driven to the support
of the party that took position on the
side of trusts, mOnOpOles and motley
gamblers. While, on the other hand,
it is evident that even a larger per cent
of the republican party favored the prin-
cples now squarely forced to the front,
yet only small per cent would in this
campaign support them because they
| found them under the democratic ban.
ner.
Had it not been for the prejudice
against the democratic name as well as q
want of confidence in democratic prom
ises, for which it must be frankly ad
mitted past experience furnishes ample
ground, a majority of the voters of the
country, in spite of the tremendous anC
unparalleled forces put forward by the
republican managers, would have cas-
their vote for financial reform anC
American independence. The people:
party with high patriotism and an un
selfish devotion to principle, greater
than ever before exhibited by any othe
party, stepped outside of its Organlza
ton to throw its two million votes solid
ly tor Mr.. Bryan. Had not more thai
this number of those who called them
selves democrats in 1892 given thei
support to Mr.. Mckinley, the cause o
the people and American principle
would have triumphed this year. Thi
class of democrats will surely supper
the party of mOnopolies and trusts il
the future Their places in the rank
of the reform hosts must be taken b.
patriotic republicans. In fact, BryaI
would have been elected in this cOntes
had even $4,000 more silver republican
come to the rescue.
DIRE PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
umph of the gold standard does not ex
press the desires and sentiments of tn
American people. The majority Oppos
the policy for which he stands, and vii
so vote whenever an opportunity is pre-
sented for a proper alignment. Tn
remarkable and brilliant campaign o
William J. Bryan would have aligne,
these forces and marched them to
triumphant victory If any candidate o
leader in America could have done s.
under the democratic banner.
The administration of Mckinley canno
bring prosperity to the American people
, The mills cannot be kept open, idle la
Dor given employment and general pros
perity restored and maintained until tn
wealth producers receive fair return
! s. a. I,I .