The San Francisco call., 1896-04-15
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
PoPULIsrs AS A FACTOR.
RECOGNIZED AS LIVING FORCE TO BE RECK
oNED WITH IN 1896.

oNED WITH IN 1896.
To the Editor of the San Francisco Call-SIR:
Advices at hand from all parts OF the greater
west and the South-not by telegraph, but by
the weekly journals OF the party-indicate not
only great enthusiasm and harmony in the
fopnllst party, but degree of confidence and
aggresslyeness never before manifested. The
proposed alliance with the silverites receives
cordial consideration, but it must be on candi-
uates alone, for there wall be no surrender OF
the principles which constitute the Omaha
platiorD, though the money question in Its
proadest American sense will be made the
nght1ng issue of the campaign, and the other
issues OF their platform will be submitted to
vote OF the people as provided for in the refer
endun, in the same manner as this State sub
mltted the question to the people OF an educa-
uonal qualification of voters.
Direct legislation by the people Will, beyond
doubt, be incorporated in the next Popullst
National platform, for the Populists have ac-
cepted literally the watchword OF the old
Roman republic, "Vox populi, vox DEL" with all
It's age-long significance, and with such patri-
OTIS as Jefferson Franklin, Paine and Lincoln
they believe in trusting the people, and hold
as lmmutable law to the declaration OF the
founders OF our Nation that government de-
rlVes its just power from the consent OF the
governed and are unwilling to continue to
De governed by class laws made by corrupted
ana Drlbed representatives at the beheSt OF
the favored and powerful classes, fas it is at
THIS day; and they are determined to elm
mate the boss from politics, which will at once
De accom- pllShed on the adoption OF direct
legislation by the people.
Our old time politicians, who are just now
Kept SO busy mending the fences which the
political storms are prostrating all over the
country, may not reckon at its full value such
an incident as the detection OF Ex-Governor
ST. John OF Kansas from the Prohibitionists TO
the Popullsts, and they may have forgotten
that he was the strongest man who has led
their forlorn hope in twenty years, his vote as
Presidential candidate far exceeding that OF
any Prohibition candidate before or since. He
VIII be attended by large following into the
Populist party, and in strong Prohibition
States where PopuliSts have already gained
large number OF voters, some surprising re-
suits may follow.
In Oregon this year the Populists are united
ana full OF enthusiasm, while the two old par
tles are IN the throes OF open dissentions and
pltter anlmoslties, which are not likely to be
quleted and healed during the campaign.
similar mlsfortunes overlook the Populsts at
the last election, which greatly diminished
their vote, and this year they are likely to
profit by the condition of their opponents and
nave fair chance of carrying the State.
Looking eastward We discover evidences OF
alarm at the growing influence of the Populist
party as factor in National affairs. The New
YORK sun, which has long been credited with
high order OF political sagacity has recently
said: "Whle the Repu blican party is visibly
stronger in the former doubtful States OF the
East-New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
the success OF the Republicans in their former
strongholds in the West is seriously threat
ened by the detection of the Populists, who
complicated by their action all the most con-
hdent prophesies made in 1892 The Demo
Gratis, too, are without any enforced depend
ence upon doubtful States, east or west, this
year, and Illinois and Mlnnesota seem to prom
lse better results than New Jersey and Mary
land. The contest of 1896 at the conventions
Will be free-for-all one, as far as precedents
and past conditions will be involved"
LII m a he In
prominent advocate of the gold standard OF
values and decidedly inclined to discount the
influence OF the Populist party.
The New York Herald, also for the gold
standard, deyotes two columes to the Populists
and silyerites, showing that the PopulIsIs made
larger gains two years ago in Congressional
districts, aud AYERS that "the silver men are
desperate" and declares that there is reason to
believe that party ties will be torn asunder
by the Wh1te,meta! men at both the National
conventions" After giving details at great
length OF the votes in States favorable to silver
politicians are informed that they can gain
mo adequate conception of the situa ton with
out a careful scrutiny of these Details and
recommends that they be studied in the hope
OF finding a safe path through the maze TO vic
tory"
The Boston Globe (goldite) likewise has dis
covered the existence of live and vigorous
Popul1st party SO often pronounced dead and
all but forgotten, and after due consideration
OF its claims as National party, thus refers to
the political situation: "People who can see
beyond their noses or out of the back of their
ledus &c not trust any surface 1ndlcdtlOn tina
now may seem to foreshadow one-sided Presi-
dental campaign this year, with an inevitable
and easy victory for the Republican ticket at
the polls. To such q vision there are discern
lble not only many signs of a hard and doubt
tul struggle, but the experience of the past also
sounds clear warning against the idea, some
what prevalent now, that an election for the
Presidency can go by default"
The Globe then proceeds to give some solid
reasons for making the foregoing statement
reviewing at some length political statistics
which cannot be summarized within the
limits OF this letter, but SO significant and
instructive that all who take an interest in
the study of conditions which may within a
few months produce radical change in the
political and economic administration of our
National affairs, will find it well worth while
TO examine them in my next letter In the
meantim the reader will observe that l have
not presented the hopeful views of silver men
and Popullsts, but those of the ablest goldite |
journals OF the country, to indicate the danger
which menaces the further domination of
goldites. JOSEPH AsBURY JOHNSON
IL Essex street. San Francisco.