New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-15
A NEW PARTY.

u may nerhaDs be remembered that during
Tho neriod between 1898 and 1897. when Mr..
Cleveland was sitting on the windpipe OF the
Democratic party and sufocatng that tlhe-
bonorcd organization by easy stages, hardiy
day passed that somebody did rot start an en-
tlrely new party, with brand-new principles and
doctrines new names, new methods and new
everything intended TO initiate new dispensa-
lion and usher in a new era. Just before the
National conventions in 1896 the woods were
full of them They were thicker than buckle
berries Everybody who hadn't anything else
10 do-and there were myriads such during the
Cleveland regime-started new party 1t was
one of the few industries in the country In which
there was extreme activity. BY stroke of
genius the old Democratic party, or what was
left of it, at its National Convention in Chicago
swooped up the entire crop, amagamating them
all in the remarkable conglomeration which fol-
lowed Mr. Bryan to defeat. Since the Novem-
Der election there has been a lull In the bust
ness of Matching political parties-a lull that
has seemed almost like intellectual stagnation
This Is probably due to the fact that all the po-
-lltical inventors and embryo statesmen had be-
come enmeshed in the grand Democratic haul
at Chicago, which caught everything from white
bait to whales, and have not yet been able TO
wriggle out Of that environment.
There are signs however. of a revival Of the
party-hatching industry. One Of the first to
emerge from the hudde and muddle of last
wears Democratic National Convention is
statesman Of great originality and inventive
faculties by the name Of Adams-Frederick
Adams. He was Secretary of the Press Bu-
"reau of the Democratic National Committee IN
"the recent campaign" At least that Is the
title by which he Introduces himself TO wait
ing world Adams has made up his mind to
disrupt and destroy all existing political organ
izatons, and on their ruins erect an entirely new
marty. Make the dlsorganizatOn complete,
he SAYS cease TO be Popusts, Democrats or
"Republ.cans, and at noon on the fourth day or
''next July meet in your respective localities and
'organize the American party" He puts the
last four words in capitals as an evidence of his
earnestness and good faith. His reasons for
launching this enterprise are set forth in Ian
cuage the most stirring, though deeply pathetic
in tone. Those who love their country he
SAYS. ARE defeated, crushed, Inundated and al
most discouraged" by the election of 1896 which
was .more than a defeat" Money he says,
"has been crowned King. and Greed made Prime
cons from the combat, and regards with con-
"temptuous disdain the scattered and dsintc-
'grated army which dared assail it, That has
the genuine Democratic National Committee
Press Bureau flavor. 1t carries enc back TO the
campaign.
If Is In view Of this shocking state Of things,
which Adams Celebrates at great length and
with no end Of eloquence, that he proposes to
take the responsibility Of organizing new party.
"Let the people he says, meet at noon on
"Independence Day in their respective town
"sblps. precincts or voting places, and organ
"lze by voting precincts all over the United
Estates. Each precinct should elect one repre-
sentative to a Congressional Convention to be
"held n few days later" Continuing, he de-
ecribes the class of men who should be elected.
Beware" he says, "of the man Of but one idea.
"There are lots Of good ideas, and they do not
unnecessarily conflict" These Congressional Con
ventions are to elect one delegate each to a Ma
tional Congress. and this Congress Is to investi-
gate everything, make reports, formulate prln-