The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-07-31


campaigns stretching frcm 1876 to 1892
You correctly estimated the purposes OF
old party managers, and events have
sustained every specification IN your in
dictment against them. Millions OF
honest men within old party lines ranks
were deceived, lnred into ambush and
betrayed. But not single one of your
pickets has been caught mapping or taken
by surprise. To your devoted efforts is
largely due the revival in economic
learning in this country which has en-"
abled the democratic party to assume the
present admirable attitude. Your work
nov promises much TO mankind.and ia
about to break forth in complete victory
for the industrial masses. Though oft
repulsed by the multitude whom we
would have liberated, though ciucified in
return for our kindness, yet through 1t ell
we have steadily con6ded in the fighte-
BUSINESS OF cur cause and tho final good
sense OF the people. We still believe
that this nation has mission to per-
form which bad men will not be per-
mitted to destroy, and recent events
indicate that the Nineteenth century is
not, after all, to close with the friends Of
freedom despondent in the Western
hemisphere.
This country has recently Witnessed a
new Pentecost and received her baptism
of fire. The recent convention at Chi.
cago sounded bugle call for union
which can neither be misunderstood nor
go unheeded. In 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 1t in
evitable.
From the very beginning Of our organ
ization days We made party feeling
subordinate to, o,principle. We will not
here reverse ourselves and refuse to
accept victory now SO easily within our
reach. We will not refuse the proffered
assistance of at least three millions 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 du corps. The
field of glory is open to all new comers
who are fighting for the same principles.
The populists have already shown their
prowess In many engagements during 20
years of struggle. If our allies can strike
sturdier blows at plutocracy than we
can; if they can scale the battlements of
the gold power more gallantly 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 came flag, keep step to the same
music, face the same foe, share in and
shout over the same triumph.
We cannot be 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 bonde, and government cur
rency on the other.
The people are asked to choose between
enforced idleness, destitution, debt, bank
ruptcy and despair on the one hand and
the open door Of opportunity on the
other. The situation presents the
mightiest civic question that ever con-
vnlHed civilized nation. The conflict
can neither be postponed nor avoided.
In the name of the suffering people
affirm that this is no time for dissensioh
nor party divisions The supreme hour
for action has arrived. If we would be
victorious We must make common cause
with the heroic men who dominated tho
Chicago convention. No other course la
either prudent or desirable We are not
asked TO abandon our party, nor would 1t
be wiae to do SO. II it is to ba preserved
we will, in my judgment, be compelled
to that course which | am about to indi-
cate. The eilver democrats have lined
up as an organization now let the popu-
lists, free silver republicans, and the
American silver party do likewise.
From an embattled square-impregnable
TO the assaults of he confederated gold
power. After due consideration, in which
I have fully cRnvassed every possible
phase of the subject, have failed to find
a single good reason to justify us in plac-
ing third ticket In the field. The exig-
encies OF the hour imperatively demands
that there shall be but one.
/ would not endorge the distinguished
gentlemen named at Chicago, | would
nominate them outright and make them
our own, and then share justly and
righttully 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 he Southern and
Western states and we can then turn our
attention 10 other parts Of the field.
Take any other and you endanger the
entire situation and strengthen the arm
OF our common adversary.
IF you allow the present happy iHncture
to pass, all the heroic work Of 20 years
will be thrown to the winds. Our guido
ing hand will disappear in the momentu-
ous conflict just when it should be
stretched forth to steady the ark Of our
covenant. We would prove to the world
that we are devoid of capacity to grasp
the great opportunities and lacking in
strength to grapple with prodigious em-
ergencies. The people have a gallant
champion in the field who is leading q
revolt against the plutocracy Of Christen-
dom. Every oppressor, every plutocrat
in two heIniEpheres has turned his guns
npon him. The subsidized organs have
openly proclaimed that he must be
crushed by any means at whatever cost.
The confedergted monopolIes have lain
aside their parties and their politics aud
are marching in hot haste against him.
Let US signal to him to bold the fort-
that we are coming and then hasten TO
his relief. Gentlemen, / want to say TO
you in all eernestness that, assailed as ie
this gallant knight by the slenth hounds
Of the money power Of the world, you
may deliberate here as long as you please
but you cannot prevent the people from
rushing to the support of their recognized
defender and leader. IF yon will not say
the word they will break over all restraint
and 50 90 themselves. leaders or no lead
els, and may God bless them for 60
doing.
Therefore, ii obedience to my highest
regard 10 duty, with solemn conviction
that am right, place In nomination
for the presidency Of the United States q