The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-07-26

we nave constantly urged
through good and through evil report
that our principles were more import
ant than party associations: were
above all considerations OF private for
tune or the petty and feverish ambi-
tions Of men. We have thus far suited
our action to our words made through
five presidential campaigns stretching
from 1876 to 1892, you correctly estl-
mated the purpose of old party man
ayers, and events have sustained every
specification In your Indictment against
them. Millions of honest men within
old party ranks were deceived, lured
into ambush and betrayed. But not a
single one OF your pickets has ever
been caught mapping or been taken by
surprise. To your devoted efforts Is
largely due the revival of economic
learning in this country which has en-
abled the democratic party to assume
the present admirable attitude. Your
work now promises much to mankind
and Is about to break forth in complete
victory for the Industrial masses.
Though oft repulsed by the multitude
whom We would have liberated. though
crucified in return for our kindness.
yet through II all we have steadily
confided in the Righteousness Of our
cause and the final good sense of the
people. We still believe that this ma
tion has mission to perform which
bad men will not be permitted to de-
stroy, and recent events indicate that
the nineteenth century is not. after all.
to close with the friends Of freedom
respondent In the western hemis-
phere.
This country has recently witnessed
new pentacost and received another
Z baptism OF fire. The recent convention
at Chicago sounded a bugle call for
union. which can neither be misunder-
stood nor go unheeded. In its patriotic
utterances and action 1t swept away all
middle ground and opened the way to
formidable organic alliance. They
not only made union possible, thank
heaven they have rendered II inevit-
able.
From the very beginning our organ
ization days made party feeling sub
orllnate to principle. We will not here
reverse ourselves and refuse to accept
victory now so easily within our reach.
We will not refuse the proffered as
sistance of at least 100000 free silver
republicans simply because they have
shown the good sense to come with an
organized army fully equipped and
manned for battle Let them have their
own divisions and army corps. Let
them manifest their own esprit de
corps. The field Of glory Is open to all
competitors who are fighting for the
same principle.
The populists have already shown
their prowess In many engagements
during 20 years of struggle. II our al
lies can strike harder blows at pluto
cracy than we can: II they can scale
the battlements Of the gold power more
calamity than our old veterans, and
are able to plant their colors one foot
nearer the citadel OF the enemy than
we can ourselves, let every populist
cheer and support them In their heroic
work. We will all march under the
same flag. keep step to the same mu-
sic, face the same foe. share In and
shout over the same triumph.
We cannot he mistaken concerning
the real issue involved In the struggle
Of the present year. 1t Is between the
gold standard. gold bonds and bank
currency on the one hand: and the bi-
metallic standard no bonds and gov
ernment currency on the other. The
people are asked to choose between
enforced idleness, destitution. debt.
bankruptcy and despair on the one side
and an open door OF opportunity under
Just laws and normal conditiors on the
other The situation presents the
mightiest civic question that ever con-
yulsed n civilized nation. The conflict
can neither be postponed nor avoided.
In the name of the suffering people. l
affirm that this Is no time for dissen-
zion for party division. The supreme
hour for action has arrived. IL we
would be victorious, We must make
common cause with the heroic men
who dominated the Chicago conven-
ton. No other course Is either prudent
or desirable. We are not asked to
abandon our party, nor would 1t be
wise to do so. II II Is to be preserved
we will, in Judgment. be compelled to
take the course which | am about to
Indicate. The silver democrats have
lined up an organiza ton. Now let the
populists. free silver republicans and
the American silver party do likewise.
Form an embattled square-impenetra-
bic to the assaults of the confederated
gold power After due consideration.
In which have fully canvassed every
possible phase Of the subject. / have
failed to find single good reason to
justify us In placing third ticket In
the field The exigencies of the hour
imperatively demand that there shall
be but one. I would not indorse the
distinguished gentleman named at CHI
cago would nominate them outright
and make them our own. and then
share justly and rightfully In their
election. The situation Is striking
verifcation OF the old adage. that The
path OF duty Is the path OF safety"
Take this course and all opposition Will
practically disappear In the southern
and eastern states. and We can then
turn our attention to other parts OF
the field. Take any other and you en-
danger the entire situation and
strengthen the arm of our common ad-
versary.
n you allow the present happy june
ture to pass. all the heroic work OF 20
years will be thrown to the winds. our
guiding hand will disappear in the mo-
mentous conflict just when II should be
stretched forth 10 steady the ark OF our
covenant. We would prove to the
world that we are devoid of capacity
To grasp great opportunities and lack
ing in strength TO grapple with pro-
digious emergencies. The people have
a gallant champion in the field who is
leading a revolt against the plutocracy
OF Christendom. Every oppressor,
every plutocrat In two hemispheres has
turned his guns upon him. The sub
sidized organs have openly proclaimed
that he must be crushed by any means
at whatever cost The confederated
monopolies have lain aside their par
ties and their politics and are march