The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-18
TEMPTING THE PoPULIsTs.

The Populists have spent several years
in building up their party to a point of
numerical strength where IL could COM
mand respectable hearing, and in all
reason it should hold on to all that it has
acquired, especially so now that it sup
plants the Democracy as the second of the
two great parties of the country. 1t advo-
Gates some very wild and foolish theories,
but as yet it has not been contaminated
by the touch of the red hand of anarchism,
as has the Democracy. OF most Populists
it may be said they are honest and sincere,
and are convinced in their own minds that
the condition of the people would be bet
ter every way if the Government were COLI
Quoted in harmony with their economic
theories. Perhaps it is the unostentatious
way the leaders have in presenting their
theories that commends the party as an
organization as being moved by honest
intentions, but anyway it surely is en-
titled to be called one of the two great
political parties of the country.
1t is when one considers these things
that he is surprised that any serious
thought should be given by the leaders to
the overtures of the Democracy to abandon
their all that has been gained and help fur
Their the cause OF men who have hitherto
been their party's bitterest foes. 1t
would be different IL the PopuIist party
could lay their cause aside for season
and help Bryan and his party, but the in
dorsement of the Chicago nominees. or
any kind of an utilization with that party
would necessarily disintegrate the Popu-
list organization. 1t could never again
muster corporaPs guard, and. moreover,
whatever it had gained in the past would
become the heritage of the Democracy.
Mr.. Taubeneck of the Populists' National
Committee sums up the disadvantages
that would accrue from accepting the
Chicago nominees and platform. He says
the Peoples party would lose its identity
and become an annex to the Democracy,
and gives the following reasons for his
belief:
First-whenever one party Endorses the
National ticket of another. it has no further
excuse TO exist.
second-All the State, Congressional, legis-
lative and county candidates in the Peoples
party, with the exception of few Western
States, will have to resign, because it will he
impossible for the Populist candidates to make
a fight for their local tickets when the party
nationally indorses the Chicago nominees.
Third-The Populist and Silver parties will
lose their organizations. and will go to pieces
after the November election and become part
OF the Democratic machine.
Fourtn--The Populist press, which is a
powerful factor with an organization behind
il, would disappear and be displaced by a
Democratic press and the Populist editors
turned down.
Mr.. Taubeneck might have aided that
under the laws of several States, the
Populist party after fusing with Democ-
racy this year could not have a ticket
independent of the Democratic ticket,
except by petition. which would be an
acknowledgment that the party no longer
had legal existence. 1t so happens that
in nearly all the States that Bryan is
counting on the Populist vote is larger
than the Democratic, but of coarse, if the
st. Louis convention Endorses him, they
would be counted as representing the real
Democratic strength, and the Popnlists
would not have even so much as a news
paper notice of the demise of their party.
But Altgeld and company are persuasive
takers, and they will be in st. Louis in
force and with money. LEAD US not into
temptation" should be the prayer of the
honest Populist