The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-26
i theory. they NEE, in fac. IN

opposed in theory. they meet in fact IN
populssTn.
Gated a definite and positive programme,
and its leaders seem content FOR the pres
ens 10 educate ard 10 wat for that de-
composition Of society which they expect
10 take place by reason OF its inherent os-
fects.
The Pcpufst branch OF socialism Is inn
patient OF this delay. and seeks TO destroy
without waiting fer the expected decompo-
sltlon OF the social structure 10 take
place 1t seeks this destruction through
the confiscation of values by inairees
means. such as the Reputation OF Gees'
and endeayors TO hasten the advent o, So
cialism by rebellion against governmental
authority, Sassosedienee 20 laws and over
turning the authority OF the courts.
THIS has been It's record IN Kan
sas: this Is the clearly enuhsi-
a.ed doctrine OF the Chicago PLATFORM. anu
il is the doctrine defended by the Popunst
press and speakers in this campaign II
is the doctrine OF Mr.. Bryan. who iett tue
Democrats party ana voted Tor the fop
ulist candidate for president in iss2, ana
who declares that he stands scuarely on
the Chicago platform and supports every
plank OF it, This dessructivencss on the
part Of Populism is anarchisftc IN meshoo
and In its Immediate aims. even though the
ultimate object be a socialism theoretically
opposed to anarchy.
That Pcpulist leaders are in sympathy
with anarchy is shown by the fact that
the official organ of Populism in Kansas,
the Topeka Advocate, vigorously defended
Gov. Altge.d's parton Of the chicago an
archiSts and this defense was in0orsed oy
every Populist paper IN the state with one
exception. Mr.. Clemens. another OF Gov.
dwellings legal advisers, had an article
-@,@s~ in.
dertook TO prove that the "economic ana
political principles for which the Chicago
anarchists died were the same as those
for which the Peoples party stands.
Mr. Clemens says: The Omaha platform
proposes TO destroy private property IN
railroads. telegraphs. etc. BY making them
public property. How did the trainers OF
that platform propose TO accomplish tnese
things The railroads and telegraphs were
to be seized and taken at a valuation, to
be fixed by the government and 10 De
paid in such money and in such manner rs
the government might see mt 10 provide.
II resistance should be made to the exc
cution OF this programme, what them
Why, the people. being in control OF the
army and navy. would overcome that re-
sistance by force-overcome it. II need be,
by killing the rebels"
Lorraine d. Lewelling. Populiss governor
of Kansas, expressed the anareh-
ial attitude of Populism in speech
at Holton, Kan. in 1892. In which
he said. when any people Is
confronted by the state of affairs which
now exists In America. there are but two
ways in which they can free themselves.
They may do it peacefully by means OF
the bailot-box. or they may rise in their
might and overthrow the whole by force
of arms. IL one method fails, the other
must be resor,ed to. But the first method
<.I - ~ Tad
for their common salvation ana the thing
is done. Otherwise anarchy must come"
1t is not intended TO say that these are
the principles OF the great body OF the
Popuiist party. or that the rank and file
of the party are either socialists or an
archists. 1t is not even believed that
majority o fthe party understand what its
principles are. bet these are the plain
statements of Populist leaders. by which
the essential character of the movement
must be judged.
Populism, therefore. may be said to be
a destroying or anarchcal branch OF So
cia.ism. Its object is 10 tear down the
present social structure In order that COL
lective ownership OF lands and al other
instruments of production may take the
place Of private ownership. 1t is to bring
about this destruction that the gospel OF
hatred and suspicion Is being preached by
the Populist leaders. that people are be-
ing inflamed. and classes arrayed against
each other. These are steps In the at
tempted disintegration of the existing So
cial structure The reeklessness OF Popu-
list legislation in regard to values and
property rights has been matter OF sur
prise to many. but IL is fully explained
by the fact that they propose ultimately to
destroy all existing values, and all exist
ing ownership of property.
There are no exemptions in the scheme
of socialism. IL Is no respecter of per-
sons The farmer who has worked, acono-
mized and saved TO pay for and improve
his quarter or half section of land Is to
share equally with the improvident, who
have saved nothing. All property is 10
be taken from individual owners and turn
ed into common pool. This is the system
for which Populism Is clearing the way.
the system which some of its leaders
openly. and all secretly. advocate and
work for by direct or indirect means.
system so foreign to American insti-
tutions, 10 American thrift. industry, en-
terprise and Independence. will never take
root in this country. The danger Is that
people may aid the movement without I'M
Outstanding It's meaning. and that other
states. instead of prohting by the costly
experience OF Kansas, may. through ig-
norance OF the character and aims OF the
Populist party. repeat Kansas unfortu-
nate and disastrous experiment.