The San Francisco call., 1896-11-12

exist If it has no valid complaint to make.
Populists cannot denounce the sins OF the two
OH parties and yet go into political copartner-
ship with them. The moment we make treaty
the war must cease. And when we cease our
war upon the two old parties we nave no
longer any excuse for living. Whenever right
compromises with wrong. it is the right Whlch
suffers.
rsle Democratic managers seem TO resent as
a strange piece of iupertinence the fact tnat
the Populists dared 20 nominate ticket diner
ing at the rear end from theirs. coming TO
them with 2,0o0,00 votes they were begging
tor and pteously needing, can say, with a
perfect assurance of telling the unquallned
truth, that my arrival on the field OF pattle
has not been welcomed as heartily as Blucher
was received By Wellington at Waterioo.
They want my re-enforcements but tney ooI |
troops, but they draw the line at BIucner.
That is hardly fair, either 10 blucHer OF MS
troops nor Is it the best way to defeat Napo-
leon.
For this attitude on the part of the Demo-
cratic managers l believe that you, Senator,
are largely responsible. You made no eHor.
to have me recognized You puohcly htaleu
that would not be notified of my nomination.
You went into the fusion poiey, over my
written protest, with all tie zeal OF man VINO
wanted 10 elect the Democratic ucKet.
In this | think you were wrong. AS chalr-
man of the Populist Committee the party GER
| talnly expected you TO do all you couid 10
elect the Populist ticket. Had you demanded q
Mr.. Sewalps withdrawal from the ucket ne
would have been withdrawn. l have q letter
of yours in which you state that the Demo
cratic Committee expected you 10 make the
demand, but you did not make II. From the
peryersity of temper with which Democratic
managers have refused 10 do the right thing
by the Populists ii would seem that they
prefer McKinleyism TO anything which might
seem to be partly PopulIst triumph. Their
| double purpose is 10 couple election with the
complete destr uctiop OF the Peoples party.
They mean to elect both Bryan or Sewall-
both or neither. Thev cannot endure the
| thought that the victory shall be shared by
| Populism. They are willing to use the Popu-
/ list nominee as a lever 10 move popular votes
but not as an ally who had any rights they
| are bound to respect.
| The st. Louis compromise ticket should have
been insisted upon for TWO reasons: Firsi, be
| cause Mr.. Bryan cannot be otherwise elected
| second, beca use the triumph OF silver cannot
! be otherwise assured.
Itis hardly necessary for me to say that /
/ heartily indorse the platform upon which
was nominated. In speech, In editorial. in
| pamphlet have discussed for several years
| every issue Populism raised, and my position
on them all Is so we'll known that [ need GO
| into no discussion of Populist principles here.
The position taken in this letter will be bit.
terly aSsailed. Would that the pathway OF
! duty were always carpeted with flowers. II
rarely is. By making myself and the great
| party l represent a mere footmat for Demo
! cratic politicians 10 wipe their feet upon,
! could win much applause from that quarter.
! But If l were now lacking in the loyalty which
| was expected of me when chosen l would
] grieye the men who have hono-ed me- trusted
| me, defended me and loved me.
| In this reform movement to which have
| devoted eight of the best years of my life,
| have lost much-but my own self-respect has
not been lost, nor the respect of the principles
l represented and who>e battles have fought
did not seek this nomination, nor desire IT.
! Had | asked the Presidential nomlnat ton oi
the Peoples party and gone TO ST. Louis tc
claim ii, no power OF the Democratic ennis
series could have kept it from me. 1t was ou
of a heartfelt desire TO help unite ali the
reform forces and at the same time 10 save my
party and its principles from wreck that
agreed 10 accept second place on the com
promise ticket. | stood ready TO join hands
with Mr.. Bryan and to aid him in harmonic
ing Populists and silver Democrats and in
uniting South and West, TO the end that We
might achieve a victory against Mckinley and
Mckinleyism. Fusion with Bryan meant nc
sacrifice OF principle. Fusion with Sewall does
No one regrets more profoundly than l dc
that the Democratic MANAGERS have so shaped
the campaign that the South had again beer
told that she must grovel in the dust and lie
an Eastern plutocrat put his foot upon hel
neck.
Nor does one regret more than DO tn the
Democratic managers, in shaping their fusion
| deals have considered those Populists only
| who were getting loaves and fishes.
They have lost sight of the great army of the
privates, whose honest hearts and sincere
! souls form the strength of the re-enforceme z
Mr.. Bryan needs. The Populisls OF the ran |
and file have the spirit of crusaders. and hey
would die fpr principle Tar more Quickly
than they would sell. These men will not vote
for Sewall, nor Sewall electors.
If Senators Jones and German really wish
to defeat Mckinley. let them lose no time in
- THOMAS E. WATSON,
Thomson. Ga, October H. lS96.