Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-12-16

cess they would be treated without
prejudice by our President when he
goes to reward his servants as II
have tried to treat them and propose
to continue to treat them during my
administration.
"Fusion will come naturally in the
counties where it requires coalition
of Populists, silver Republicans and
Democrats to defeat Republicanism
and to obtain control of county affairs.
In the counties, judicial circuits, con-
gressional and senatorial districts,
fusion brought about in this way is
practicable and proper. If uadis-
turbed, the enemies of Republicanism
in the country districts will be found
amply able to manage their own
affairs, as they have done before.
The Populists and silver Republicans
hate English Nominations, goldbugism,
high tariff and government by injunc-
ton as bitterly as the Democrats do,
and there Is no reason why they can
not all cooperate.
"Some have claimed that / was a
fusion candidate for Governor and
l have seer it stated in papers pub
lished in our own state that I was
even upon the Populist ticket. OF
course I was not and it is we'll known
that 1 was fought viciously by the
middle of the-road' element, and am
still, and the same element will fight
Just as bitterly any other Democratic
candidate, under any and all circum-
stances.
"Those who affiliated with us last
year will do so again if we put up a
clean ticket, upon an honest platform,
and do not resort in any manner to
hypocrisy or demagoguery.
"Some of the shrewdest politicians
and best men in the State, disguised
with Filleyism and Clevelandism, left
the two old parties a few years ago
and joined the Peoples movement.
They knew what they were doing,and
they can't be blamed for the step they
then took. They were sincere and
conscientious and are not as easily
fooled as some seem to think. If,
therefore, efforts Ire made by care
less talk and by plays to the galleries
to deceive them, it will be found that
great harm will result therefrom, and
that the Populists will be driven far
away from US to stay. They will not
submit to triflng.
"The position that I take may not
now be understood by all; it may not
appear popular, but I have lever yet
courted the popularity of the move
ment, or truckled to schemers, and 1
never will. 1t will be remembered
that it was not popular at the time for
me to Join in the fight for the Pertle
Springs convention, where we cap
tured bag and baggage, an ~unfriendly
pocket State Committee, and began
upon the work of a new organization
IN Missouri, which gave US, not only
Missouri by an increased majority, but
also, l firmly believe, the Chicago
platform. 1t was not popular for me
to assist in the fight for a solid dele
cation to Chicago at Sedalia. The po-
sition I took was considered revolu-
tionary, without precedent, tyranni-
cal, suicidal, etc., and I was held up to
contempt by a few who are now loud
ly crying "fusion," and who appear
offended because I do not agree with
them. I alone am responsible for my
views. Everyone has a right to his. If
we differ, it doesn't mean that I'VE
are at var with each other,' or that
We are going to read anybody out of
the party, either. l hold that it is
dangerous to attempt to split the
Democratic State ticket. 1t would, 1
fear, drive away more Democrats than
it would win Populists. If the ticket
is to be a Democratic ticket the candi-
dates upon it must be well-known
Democrats. The Populists know this
and are not asking US, and do no TX
pect u.s. to fuse in that direction. Some
people talk as if we could change
our party name and principles as as
lily as we could change our hat or
overcoat, to court the shifting gales
of popularity.
"The country people are usually
more interested in their counGy poll
tics, in those who hold the county
offices, than they are in the State
offices, and in many instances they
will make a harder fight for the sue
cess of their local candidates and for
good government at home than for
their State or national candidates. In
the country there will be fusion,
because there is nothing to prevent
it, because it is right and proper,
and can be accomplished without a
violation of precedent, or a sacrifice
of principles,
VIZ W6ht UAO OPuA1opo gnu tAO IA
yer Republicans to cooperate with
us until the fight has been won and
we are free from England's greed and
a~varice; but to bring about co-opera-
ton we must treat them right; we
must treat them fairly and honestly.
As Lincoln said: sLet us have faith
that right makes might, and in that
faith let us to the end dare to do
our duty
"For us to attempt to compromise
along any line, after the brave and
gallant fights we have made for the
people during the last few years, it
would be worse than cowardly; it
would be criminal. 1t would lose us
the respect of those whose confidence
and support we seek.
"Missouri is a Democratic State to
stay. We can elect our State ticket
without compromising or fawning. 1t
is true that we want to secure all the
votes possible, but we must do it by
honorable, square methods or fail. A
victory won by questionable methods
ia No uiotorv ot ALI 7 w0uld rather |