The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-08-05
TO FOUR TENTS. OH ISRAELI


Tho. Peoples Party has reached
crisis In its history. There are those
in its ranks who never really at heart
belonged to 1t, or believed In ita prin-
ciples, but who have drifted
with the popular current. or were
dragged forward, by the hind
legs. by the earnest pioneers
in the movement, and who stand
ready to sell it out forever. A few
weeks ago their cry went forth for
Teller, and every man was a traitor
who did not join in their insensate
clamors. Now they are believing for
Bryan. and for him they are ready to
sacrifice the party and all its cherish
ed principles. We said to one OF this
breed at St. Louis:-sBut this course
will destroy the Peoples Party" The
reply was:-Let it 60. It has done its
work." We do not feel that way.
These two elements will struggle
for mastery in the coming State con-
vention. to be held August 26. Shall
it 20 forward with it's banner high ad-
vanced, to the salvation Of the human
race; or shall it trail it, standard in
the dust and erect in its place a tat
tered and begrimed flag, bearing the
degrading words:-''Everything for
the offices?"
We call upon the real, sincere, earn
est Popullsts of Minnesota to rise up
and take possession of the next state
convention, and rebuke those who
have whitfield away our national plat
form to please Democracy; and who
are ready to consign our organization
itself to the depths OF Sheol, If only
they can squatter away with a bag
full of spoils.
Understand us:-we are ready to
support Mr.. Bryan, not only because
he is the choice Of the national con-
vention. but because he is an able.
brilliant and honest representative of
our principles; and we are even will
ing. ii it is the sense of the conven-
tion. to support ticket made up in
part OF men who are not Populists:
but We are ready to stamp in the dust
those who would merge our party into
any other, or who would lower, by q
hairs breadth. the standard first
gloriously flung to the breeze at
Omaha, in 1892. II we do not betray
that standard it will fly triumphant
long after Mr.. Bryan is dust, and the
s'wigglers" of our Cwn state are as Ut
terly forgotten as last years animal
cule. It will be, If we are true to 1T,
even centuries from now, the en-
blazoned banner of our country, and
the hope of mankind to the latter
ages and the uttermost ends of the
earth. q
Let every earnest patriot come to
the Goth Of August convention. We
must determine then aud there
whether it shall be ruled by the
bold, Incorporating, "middle-of-the-
road" men, or by the hambling, shut
fling, conservative" teat-sucking
gang who are trying TO turn it over to
the Democratic party.
There can be no compromise. Shall
there continue to be. in this Mime
sofa. an organization Of honest men.
devoted to the cause of the people,
upon the highest levels of thought
and aspiration; ready, in the face Of
all prejudices, to lift up the humble
and the struggling everywhere; or
shall the party we have created be
transformed into a gang of boodlers
and ofIice.hunters, dwelling in the,
caves Of treachery and deceit, without
q single broad thought or honest pull
sation in their withered bosoms?
The convention Of August Goth, will
answer that question