The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-23
70 the Jndtananolis Journal,

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-N. A. Dunning,
the well-known Populist leader and editor,
has issued an appeal to the Populists OF
the country, in which he defends Thomas
E. Watson. asserting that treason to Mr..
Watson has been a test of loyalty to Mr..
Bryan" The appeal, in part, follows:
IN my opinion the time has come when
the honor as we'll as the future existence
of the Pcpulist party demands that a Wig
orous protest be made against the course
now being pursued by those in charge or
the present political campaign: After much
hesitation and anxious waiting tor some
one else to take the lead in this matter, 1
nave determined to assume both the re-
sponsibility and whatever criticism such
action may involve, and appeal to my
brother Populists to at least consider care
fully the real situation before COINS, fur-
to state at the beginning in the most posi-
tive manner that l neither challenge nor
estly and c-onscientiously gone into this flu
sion movement, hut to the contrary invite
them to a careful reading OF the PROPOSE
tons which | may advance. For those who
have willfully and treacherously led the
party into its present unfortunate and pre-.
carious position / nave neither excuse nor
nalliation. but shall attempt to call down
upon their heads the righteous Indignation
of an outraged and betrayed constituency.
II shall attempt, so far as my ability ex-
tends, to rescue these thousands OF honest
Populists from the domination of manipu-
IdLlnR leaders VINO are DelLS Illduc lit uh-
willing victims of the deadly influence of
political fusion. That a large per cent. of
the rank and file of our party are opposed
to fusion and it's disintegrating results are
becoming more and more pronounced as
the day of election draws near. That they
realize the danger which such a course
threatens and are reluctant to assume the
risks. is readily discovered by a quiet inter-
view with ninety-nine out of every one
hundred. And why should not this fear OBJ
tain? Why should they not hesitate to
jeopardize the fruits of so much labor and
privation?"
Mr.. Dunning then reviews the history of
the Populist party and the Democratic
conspiracy to disrupt it. He calls atten-
ton to the betrayal of Watson at the st.
Louis convention, where the Georgian was
the choice of all true Populists for the
presidential nomination. The appeal closes
thus:
The facts are that not a single principle
of Popuiism is involved in this contest.
The entire contention is to save the DEM
ocratic national organization and destroy
POpuiiSm as the result. The Democratic
Virtual Surrender of the Popu,iSt organ
fzation and the destruction of our party
by Joining them in the election of Bryan.
In this EFFORT they have been ably seconded
by the Populist national committee. AS
proof of this / refer to the letter of noti-
hcation to MIR. Bryan by Senator Allen. In
this he was told he need not accept any
of the Populist doctrine or declare himself
in accord With any Part of the st. Louis
aNN AA@ Po't SoL CD oo5
to command the support of the Populist
party. This letter voiced the real sentiment
of these fusion conSpiratorS and disclosed
their treacnery to the party they so I'M
Worthily represented. Mr.. Bryan received
in person the notification committee of the
Democratic party and also that of the So
called Silver party, which never had an ex-
istence, but the despised Populists were too
communicating for personal contact, and
he would consent to receive only a notif-
cation through the mail during the last
days of the campaign.
could cOntlnuP almost without limit
to point out instances where We, as Pop
ulists. have been Inundated. betrayed and
forced into unfair and unequivocal posi-
lions by tie plottings and of
our national committee. Suffice it to say
paign has been forced into such a condition
that the Populist party and It's principles
no longer interested in the contest, since it
has narrowed down to a fight between the
Democratic and Republican parties. There
Is not a single principle OF Populism at
stake, and each individual PopuIist must
decide as to which of the two old parties
he will give his support. Fusion for the
single purpose of perpetuating the life of
the national Democratic machine is all
to-day. Is this the end for which we have
so long and earnestly toiled? Must the
result Of all the labor, sacrifices and priva-
tons we have endured cuiminate in the sup
port of a man who ignores and treats US
with contempt? Have we suffered all these
kbsans fo Pe p at isSt Wiii fS. po up Ry the oe
the South, after all the infamous treat
ment Lney nave received from the Demo-
cratic party, consent to trust them again?
Have they SO soon forgotten how they have
been abused, robbed of their manhood and
plundered of their rights, and will they now
lick the hands that surely will Stay them?
Will they now form an alliance with
the Democratic party, and in so doing give
the lie direct to all the charges they have
ever brought against that party? I cannot
believe it.
party divided into factions, our press
threatened with humiliation and the entire
not time to call a halt, and. as calmly as
possible, look over the situation? In my
We find ourselves in the grip of the flu
sion monster. with no time to place a
straight Populist ticket in the field. The
only recourse remaining is with our ballots.
Our duty at the polls therefore becomes a
serious question. We have neither party
nor principles at stake in this election, and
must, therefore, make a choice between
the two old parties or remain at home.
support, and for the building up of which
have spent the best years of m. life, /
ri cbpinpeiteo' e&eEEcise me right OF
Democratic and Republican parties. In do
ing so | shall choose between a party that
lions of public debt during it's last admins
tration and the party which, during the
debt two hundred and sixty-two millions.
L shall make the choice between the party
that bought our bonds in the open market
and paid them off and the party that sold
our bonds at a ruinous rate of interest to a
private syndicate and under cover Of the
darkness of night. l wish to influence no
one in his line of duty. but 1 earnestly ask
my brother Populists throughout the
United States to stand firm in their man
hood and either remain at home or cast
their ballots as they honestly think
will be for the best interests of our party.
Having nothing but the best interests of
our party at heart. and hoping the dark
clouds which now hang so heavily over us
may lift. 1 subscribe myself to all true
Populists."