The San Francisco call., 1896-06-28

ruthlessly invaded and their liberties in peril,
these once despised Populists, greatly IN
creased and constantly increasing IN numbers,
are now arrayed against divided, demorallzed
and spiritless foes who are coniendtng with
disorder and mutiny in their own ranks, their
old leaders discredited or given over TO bitter
contention with each other, and it will indeed
be marvellous thing if these Cromwell reform
ers shall fail to achieve great and durable VIC
tories at the ballot-box in November.
But there is mighty stir abroad In the
land and great States are aroused to entnusl-
asm and deeds of moral heroism in one grand
rally tor free coinage of silver, and these gath
erlng hosts are coming up to the help OF the
Populists as their allies and co-workers
in the cause of liberty and prosperity
and it now appears that the Popu.
lists are not to fight the great battles ot
this campaign alone. With these two great
forces combined and united on the same can
d1dates, with separate and distinct but not an
tagonistic platforms, and with daily and rap
idly increasing desertions from the silver
ranks of the Republican party. with the GER
talnty of like desertion of such silver Demo-
Gratis as place the welfare OF the country ABOVE
party and know that they cannot trust the ola
disintegrating and decrepit party OF their
former allegiance, it does begin to look as II d
union party is about to arise at the great con-
ventions in ST. Louis July % which will over
throw the merciless and oppressive money
power and bring liberty and prosperity to our
country.
believe that such union of forces will be
consummated at st. Louis, but not by the IN
dorsement OF any Democratic candidates, ana
that the union will not require the surrender
by the Populists of any of their cherished prln-
ciples, for it must be remembered that Popu.
lists are no longer loaded with obloquy and
confronted with the blind prejudice and dense
ignorance of the former Presidential CAM
paign. At last the country begins to under
stand what Populists propose TO do, and multi
tudes are finding out with great surprise that
they, too, desire the same things done and will
''yote for change"
Perhaps the reader would like few of the
specific facts on which the foregoing declara-
tions are based, not so much to deepen his
convictions as to satisfy his desire for 1ntorrna-
ton. One OF the most significant indications
OF serious rupture in the Republican party is
the detection of the Detroit Tribune, leading
paper of the Middle and Western States and
the most Influential journal in Michigan
In leaving the old party 1T has served SO well
1t pronounces the surrender of the National
Convention at St. Louis to the gold men as
"damnably unpatriotic and un-Republlcan," ="
and exhorts all silver men to repudiate the
party and join the silver forces, but not the
Democratic forces at Chicago. This action of
the Tribune will be sustained by the silver
men and Populists of Michigan, which will
insure the electoral vote of that State for the
Silver-Populist union candidate, while its bold
and patriotic example will influence other
journals of like character. The Philadelphia
Item (Republican) with an average daily cir
culation of 193, ,290, issue June Il, referring
to the financial plank of the Republican plat
form, says: "Republicans are now expected to
vote for the very thing that has ruined Demo-
cratic prospects. Is it any wonder that Sem
ator Teller and other friends of the people left
the convention? The chief wonder is that
there remained a man in it."
Indeed, coming nearer home, one may look
long and far to find such superb example of
"damning with faint praise as that of the
Sacramento Bees editorial June % on "a
June-time Frost" designating the Republican
ratification meeting by these chilling words.
Space may be given for the first sentence
Not all the roar of cannon, nor all the
Establishments of brass band, could work up
Sacramento to anything like enthusiasm over
the nomination of Mckinley" All who still
feel an interest in the dying Democratic party
Will mourn over the death-mask of its ap-
preaching dissolution, seen in the failure of
its New York convention to name Presidential
electors in order that the party may vote the
Republican ticket. Connecticut proposes to
take the same course if silver controls the
Chicago convention. Other Democratic gold
States will doubtless withdraw their Presi-
Dental electors and vote with the Republicans.
The burial of the Democray will take place
on election day in November.
JOSEPH AsBURY JOHNSON.
IL Essex street, San Francisco.