The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-04-15

in London than this cOuntry'S tours.
Every body is doing well down in
Mexico"
EDITOR LANPHERE s REASONS.
Editor George N. Lamphere, of the
Moorhead Daily News. is one of the many
recent volunteers whom principle and pa
triotism have brought to the Peoples
Party He is one of the strong and able
opponents of good government and one of
the foremost in the ranks of Minnesota
journalism. Any one who is familiar
with his editorials in the columns OF the
Daily News, during the past many years,
knows that conscience, conviction and
careful mental discernment of what Is
best for the public welfare, determine his
positions, his utterances and actions. He
was not hasty in leaving the Republican
party. He was patient. He waited and
hoped, when waiting and hoping were
vain. He left, as ne says, only when
driven out of it" by the platform and
performances of the powers In control. He
now gives himself cheerfully and heart
lily to the cause of government for the
people through the Peoples Party. 1--WE
are satisfied" says he in his strong edi-
torial of April 6, "thau the new platform,
to be adopted by that party at st. Louis,
VIII be such a broad, patriotic and sensible
PRONUNCIATION that any American oppos-
ing it will have to take ground against
the best interests Of the country; that is,
of the great mass Of his countrymen. The
time has arrived when legislation must
be enacted for human rights as against
the greed, avarice and oppression of the
dollar personifed in corporations and
trusts
In the same editorial is full and clear
statement of the faith that is in him-a
statement which cannot fail to appeal to
any candid reader. He discusses the rea-
sons which should determine the party
allegiance of sincere and earnest voters
in a manner which cannot fail to meet
with the amen of the conscientious and
thoughtful In reply to the reproof OF a
brother Republican ed tor, Mr.. Lamphere
writes
1T is great principle that we believe
in, as much as we believe there is SUI
preme Power that directs the universe.
Intending to be conscientious, truthful,
righteous, and in some small degree an
instructor of the people, does Brother
Paradis ask us to give all this up and put
political expediency above it? Does he
ask us to surrender our firm beliefs, our
well-grounded and mature principles, and
cling to a party that repudiates them?
Why do men attach themselves to party?
Is it not because they in common with
many others believe in a certain principle
or issue and voluntarily associate them
selves together in order to crystalline that
principle into law, 80 that all can reap
whatever benefit it will produce? Is it
more honorable or less honorable for us to
leave the old party, retaining our prin-
ciple, or stay in it and weakly recant it?
That we live and act lie, or that we
live and act a truth?'
That is the truth of it, and every man
who reads this knows it, however he may
act To men In Brother Lamphere's place
come daily such propositions as these:
''Th.s is a Republican year. We are in
the midst of a Mckinley wave. Every
thing is going protection and Republican
because of the hard times. Every man of
ambition who cares for his own interests
to, ~
year. He will shout for Mckinley, pro-
lection and G.. o. P. You are fool if you
cut loose now. Now is the time for You
to get there, and make yourself solid with
those who can give you what you want
and place you where you will be some
body"
That is the kind of talk which Is given
to every conscientious and Independent
voter this year. 1t requires courage and
stamina, fidelity to country and honor,
greater consideration for the welfare Of
the public than for self, for lifelong
Republican to cut himself loose from the
old dishonest and selfish party in the
presence of such conditions Thousands
Of weaklings will surrender. Men who
have preached government by the people
will support the party machine of selfish
interests, in order simply to advance their
personal selfish interests. Men in public
Office, who, for example, have been loud
and able opponents of bimetallism, will
sell out their convictions and surrender
to the gold power behind the Republican
organization, simply to retain to them
selves further Office and its emoluments.
They will leap at every opportunity
which offers pretext; they will grasp at
every straw; they will welcome every
meaningless plank and every straddle,
which will serve them in their attempt to
bridge the chasm between duty and dis
honesty, between principle and pocket,
between patriotic allegiance to the people
and right and mental subserviency to plu-
tocracy and might.
George N. Lamphere has crossed that
Rubicon. 1t does not trouble him. He
took the only course which, patriotic and
sincere voter can take. He placed country
above party, the people above self prefer
ment. And he is not alone They are
coming Thpro oro o6horc There will