The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-14

POAtohSS W Tie people. OlTeCb lcS1nld-
ton, the Governmental ownership and
control of railroads and the other great
principles which have been incorporated
into the National platform of the Peoples
party are of too great importance to be
ignored at any time, much less at time
like, this when so much political de-
moralization is to be seen on all sides.
Besides that, there is always ground for
reasonable suspicion that party is being
betrayed to death when any of its leaders
advise even temporary setting aside OF
its principles. This is the rock upon which
the coming convention may be expected
to split There are within the ranks OF
the party sufficient number OF earnest,
brainy men to give the Altgeld Democracy
and the silver mine manipulators con-
siderable trouble when they attempt to
ride upon the neck of the convention and
carry out their own selfish plans.
1 heard the keynote of true Populism
sounded to-day by a well-kuown member
of that party, a resident of this State.
Although of sterling integrity and purity
of intention, he would not consent to the
use of his name in the public prints, and
after / had given him my word of honor
that his name should remain a secret
between himself and me, be consented to
speak of the sentiment entertained by him
with regard to the programme of which
have here spoken.
This is a crisis in the party. The prop
osition is shall we adhere to our princi-
pies or shall we let the party become a
catspaw for political tricksters? 1t is a
grand party with grand principles, prin-
ciples which do not change with the
topography of the country which are not
affected by questions and geography or of
sectionalism, and so long as we stand by
those principles, SO long shall we continue
to advance toward the goal of success.
"But whenever we step aside to flirt
with the Democratic party, or with any
other party of the political organizations
which have for so many years past de-
ceived and hoodwinked the people, we
shall begin to go down to our destruction.
Populists cannot afford to take the advice
of Democrats or Republicans. We should
always remember that they are talking
for their own benefit, and for the purpose
of getting Populist votes, and when these
are secured they pay no further attention
to US. keenIy feel that the Endorsement
of Bryan, no matter how good a man he
may be, no matter how sincere Populist
he may be, would be a complete surrender
of our principles.
81 honestly believe that the Populist
leader who would advise fusion or indorse-
ment is a traitor to his party ana a tool
who does the bidding OF monopoly and
corporation. The people are heartily sick
of the old parties, which they have been
battledored and shuttlecocked ever since
the Civil War, and for that reason, if for
no other, the Populists would stand firmly
by their platform and not indorse any can
didste whatever.
Nominate some good man who is
Populist and nothing else, and all of whose
allegiance is due to our party and his plat
form. Our platform should be his only
love. The party will be content with
nothing less than his whole heart. If we
stand firm in this matter, with the Repub-
licans divided and Democracy crum bled
to pieces because of Its rottenness, we can
carry the country next November by big
majority.
''The people are not going to say much
on street corners this year, but they are
going to deposit their votes quietly and
hurl the rascals and thieves from their
places of power and oppression. We can
win the fight without Mr.. Bryan and we
can beat him and Mr.. Mckinley no matter
how they cut out the running.
"It would be very forlorn hope Of a
party that did not contain brainier man,
and if ever the day should come when the
Populists cannot find in their own ranks
two men equal, if not superior, to Nc
Kinley and Bryan want to leave it. We
now have the opportunity of our lives,
and we should be worse than fools if Wa
should neglect it,
do you think that there will be much
opposition to the programme when the
convention meets? Do you think there
will be fight on the matter?"
Yes; l expect this will be the great
fight of the convention. There is many q
man like myself who will get up on the
floor and use his best efforts to prevent
the destruction of that party which has
one platform and only one set of princi-
pies for every State and Territory in this
great Nation, and not like the so-called
platform of other organizations which are
black IN one State. white in another, blue
in another and which are simply stream
ers flying in the wind and pointing which-
ever way it may choose to blow.
''If those who feel as do succeed in our
efforts we will nominate Populist who
will stand upon our platform alone and
whose allegiance will not be divided be-
tween the monopollsts and monopolized.
This feeling is heart deep with US. All that
we have to live for politically is principle
So we cannot afford now, after ali the
signs and tears, the battiings, the wound
ings and the sufferings OF the past, to sink
the ship that has borne us in the face OF
mighty odds so near the harbor of peace
and safety. We have made the Peoples
party platform the fight of our lives, and
before we shall see it destroyed we shall
fight even to death.
"What can we gain by the election of
Bryan as President and Sewall as Vice
President2 Simply nothing. We shall
then find that we have been betrayed to
our destruction. Even from the selfish
standpoint we shall have the worst of it.
Whatever position OF honor or profit there
may be. within the gilt of Mr.. Bryan,
should he become President, will be given