The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-05-27
that the principles we advocate are funda1

That the principles we advocate are funda4
mental just and eXpedient. Hence, If the
republic shall endure, they must ultimately
prevail; consequently, in my judgment, il
is better and saf4r-t6 educate along-thd
lines we are now travelling, few yeari
longer, with success clearly In the futureI
rather than hazard battle, fighting side
by side with alien associates who are END
deavoring to spike every gun we have, not
loaded with silver bullets. j
This, think, is the sentiments of nine1
tenth5 of the Populists of California, and
believe the delegates from this state I'd
our national convention VIII 90 pledged
along these lines.
Thanks for copy Of your article, pref
pared at the request of the state central
committee Of Illinois, on 1.-THE Philosophy
of Political Parties" I have read it with
interest and profit, and as you desire NM
opinion thereon, will say, there are many
excellent suggestions contained therein
nevertheless, I do not concur IN all YOU'D
propositions. On page 9. in speaking orj
the construction of platforms, you sayI
Every time we add a plank we also in1
crease the ropell:ng force in party, which
in tine VIII shatter it into as many factioni
as there are planks" Then in a foot notd
lican party in 1860 had seventeen planks Id
its platform and only one issue" Now tho
Republican platform OF 1856 contained
eleven pl1nks, and the party received
1,341 .264 votes. while, as you say. its plat
form for 1860 contained seventeen plankd
and received in ;ts support 1856. 1852 votes,
So It appears that the more acceptable
Platform vas that containing the greated
number Of planks.
On page Z YOU say: "The acme,-thd
science Of platform building, for new par1
ties, consist in finding out what question
IS dividing the old parties, and making that
question the issue o. the new one" Then
you say. on page 9, "All questions which
are or have been issues between existing
old porties. will divide ana dissolve a new
party INTO It's origXal clements, If t injectd
them into the campaign or patfOrm.'
Here appears to be direct conflict bel
tween your own statements, which to md
seems incomprenelsi ] agree with you
in your declarations on page Q, that AN
deal platform is one n Wacl the .ssue "a
the great central idea. and with no Other
plank, except those which add strength I'd
It. But just here comes in a grave matter
Of judgment, as to what adds strength?
hold that the three fundamental planks in
the Omaha platform, on money, land and
transportation make stronger and moro
generally acceptable platform, and hasl
and will secure more votes than either a
said planks n q platform by Itself would
or ever can command. On page 10 you
say: "a new recruit, as a candidate, can
bring ten new votes with him, where a CAM
d.date, selected from the ranks OF the "oid
guard can bring one" This Is equivalent
to saying that new recruit will make d
better commanding officer than one of tho
cod guard" wno has seen much serv.cei
Such an one might draw more recruits fronl
his own class than one of the Old guards
could do. but in great campa gn that Id
to try the nerve and souls Of men, tried
and true and all round leader, with expe1
renee, who has stood the heat and the
burden OF the day is necessary 10 inspire
confidence in the "old guard" which all
new recruits must follow where the fight
IS thckest; otherwise another Bulls Run
escapade is inevitable.
My judgment is that the seriousness
the situation is such that few of the 20
guard" VIII feel encouraged for the cred
struggle before us, when it is understood
that general, without experience in the.rI
calling, stranger n Their ranks, which hd
has probably gained with the nope OF prod
motion over many other more competent
and worthy men, is to lead them. Very
truly, j. " Webster.
Creston, California, April q.