The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1896-05-08
NO. 3s.

nowhere else. That is che meaning OF
the grsst silver convention at st
Louis In July.
Let tho Populists be prepared to re-
ceive the new recruits. Let us prove
ourselves equal tO the occasion by ac-
knowledging that the Populist party
has no special plan of salvation, aside
from the teachings of Jefferson. Jack.
son. Lincoln and Blaine. II there IL
any one thing that will disturb the re-
lations of silver men Of all parties at
st. Louis II will be the egotism of some
Populist who will insis; that our party
has originated the shanciai, transpor-
tation and land Issues. They are all old
issues. Ninety-nine out of every hun
dred Populists know this, but 1t is the
one-hundredth fellow that Is to be
feared. Populists forced them to the
front as issues. We should be care
ful in dealing with the boilers from the
old parties by not claiming too much.
AS soon as they are reminded that the
greatest portion of the Omaha plat
form is taken from the teachings Of the
leaders OF the old parties 0eaders when
the old parties were honesD they will
be more enthusiastic In joining our
ranks. 1t Is trpe that the great ma
5ority OF silver men who will go to
ST. Louis with view of joining forces
under the Populist banner will not be
found well posted on the transporta.
tion and land plhnks. direct legislation.
etc. And for that very reason we must
be lenient with them. A man Is natur-
ally opposed to that which he does not
fully understand. So when we find them
opposing our minor planks we must not
accuse them OF trying 10 steal us. We
should remember. too. that some OF the
most substantial supporters OF the
transportation and land planks that we
have In our PARTY came in as believers
In free silver only. 1t is very likely
that the three or four million OF voters
who will come into our party through
the medium OF the st. Louis silver con-
vention. will In tho end willingly yield
the truth OF the transportation and
land planks.
We are not going to have so much
trouble over land transportation and
direct legislation as some of us are
wont to predict. AS 1t looks to man
up tree the silver men, as a whole,
will be willing TO adopt the Populist
platform as 1t is, provided there is o
chance Of escaping the tariff issue. Pro-
lection Is very near to the heart OF the !.
average free silverite ami some Of them
may want to have a high tariff plank.
1t Is best that high tariff agitation be
kept out of the convention whether Of
fered as a sop to Republican silverites
or from honest convictions. But he
who attempts TO keep 1t out may have
an uncomfortable Job on his hands.
There Is only one question upon
which we are all thoroughly agreed
and that Is that the free and unlimited
coinage of silver is the all important Is.
sue this year. On that question alone
we can carry all the southern and
Mississippi states, with splen.
did Sighting chance in Michigan. Indi
ana. ILLINOIS and Ohio.
We are nearing the crucical period OF
our party. indeed. And we must be
careful how we handle matters. That
We are well generated goes without say.
ing and our line officers are. as a gen.
eral rule, far above the standard
When anyone accuses them do not lis.
ten. Remember that the soldier who
deserts his general on the field of bat.
tie Is as great a sinner as the general
who would betray his army before the
battle had begun. Let Populists 20 to
st. Louis united for one purpose: The
absorption Of all silyerites under the
Populist banner. If we go united w
will succeed. II we go divided, we win
have hard time of 1t at the best.
But may we all be united.