People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1896-07-31

ward on something ike * 4 /. S
ing with the silver
achieve result thu, both
A nomination of this sort does lot
absorb the Peoples party, does not
mako it lose its identity, does not
destroy its organization, does not
stultify its record, repudiate its prin-
ciples or terminate its mission. Ii
Mr.. Bryan consents to make the race
with me--he for first place and | for
second-our party - the Populist
party-will simply be in the attitude
of combining forces to the extent
that they agree; no further. 1t will
be understood all the time that we
endorse our entire platform, and
mean at the earliest hour to carry it
into effect. In this campaign to have
stubbornly refused to co operate with
the silver Democrats would have put
us in the position of refusing to keep
principle for fear it might possibly
hurt our party. I very firmly OPP
posed any fusion which would absorb
us; annihilate our party and put it in
the future entirely in the power of
the Democratic organic ltion. Such
a fusion l believe, would have saori-
feed the Populist party, and would
not have brought us free silver, be-
cause, as I believe, it was the pres
sure which the growth of the Populist
party brought upon the Democratic
party that compelled the Democratic
party to go as far it did in the adop-
ton of our principles-that iFs those
of the Populist party. To have re.
moved this pressure by disbanding
our party might have left the Demo
cratic party to drift away from its
pledges, as it had done in 1892 and
1894. But when our Populist party
secures recognition and representa-.
ton on the Presidential ticket, and
from the highest ticket down to the
lowest, we can preserve our integrity
as party and can at any moment
take such steps to secure faithful
carrying out of pledges as oiroum-
stances may render necessary. The
Populist party does not compromise
its principles by saying that it will
accept aid of other parties to carry
out some of its principles. 1t would
be silly in as to say, we will accept
no mans help on any plank in our
platform, unless that man cares to
help us on all the planks In our plat
form. During the campaign the
Populist party does not lose its iden-
tity, as distinct party, and after the
campaign is over, instead of being in
a worse condition than at the begin
ming Of the campaign 1t will be in a
better.
"It Mr.. Bryan accepts the nomina-
ton, l believe our ticket will be
elected for this reason sAll doubt
of the West going for the Populist
party ia on account of the Democratic
vote-thst vote is enough with the
Populiat vote to assure the success of
the combination ticket. All doubt
of the South going for the Demo-
cratic party is on account of the Pop
ulist vote, and union of the two in
both sections, means the defeat of the
Republicans. Therefore at the very
beginning the ticket seems to be as
sured of the solid support of the West
and the South.
"How will the Populist vote be
reoorded?"
"If MIR. Bryan runs with me there
would probably be division of
electors between the two parties
based upon their respective uotes in
the last Presidential election"
"HOw will the two platform be re-
oonoiled?"
They do not need any reooncilia-
ton. The Democrats and the Popu-
lists alike endorse the Democratic
platform as far as it goes-the Popu-
list platform goes further-that is all.
There is no reason why l should re-
fuse to cooperate with man who
agrees with me on three essential
principles, simply because he will
not agree with me ON four. I am
willing to take his help as far as he
will go and thank him for it; perhaps
after keeping company with me in a