The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-05-05
NASHVILLE JULY 4
NATIONAL CONVENTION CALLED BY
REFORM PRESS ASSOCIATION,
Majority National Committee Favor
It-A Battle for Separate
Existence.

In conformity to a resolution adopt
ed by unanimous vote of the National
Reform Press Association at Memphis,
| Tenn, on last Washington's birthday,
| the undersigned were appointed COM
mittee charged to respectfully request
| the calling together of the national
| committee at a date not later than May
| l, for the purpose of considering the ad-
visibility Of calling a national delegate
| conference of the Peoples Party not lat
| er than July 4, 1897, basing the repre-
| sentatiOn in said conference on the high
| est actual Populst (not fusion) vote
| cast at any regular election held since
and including 1892. This duty naving
been promptly performed and an affirm
ative response having been withheld
| the chairman of this committee ad-
| dressed letter of inquiry to the indi-
vldual members of the national commit
| tee requesting their opinion as regards
| the advisability Of calling such O. con-
ference, and a majority of those re-
| spending (about SO in alb answered in
| the Affirmative
'This committee on assembling in the
! city Of Girard, Kan, tAlegraphel Chair
! man Butler this latter statement. in
| quiring again if he wo2gld call the COM
mittee together, and vas answered by
a positive refusal
"As individuals we would be pleased.
to escape the responsibility which these
| unnecessary and unfortunate conditions
we have detailed Gevrive upon us, but
the instructions of the National Reform
Press association leave us no discretion,
! hence the following call for national
delegate conference.
ITO the Populist Voters Of the United
States: Recognizing the undisputed
fact that differences exist among Popu-
lists, not as to the correctness Of princi-
pies embodied in the St. Louis and
Omaha platforms, but as regards the
policy to be henceforth pursued to ad-
vance the cause of the people in their
irrepressihle conflict with both the Dem
ocratic and Republican, parties, many of
the truest and ablest POpulists of the
nation have urged necessity for hold
ing a national delegate conference this
year on or about the 4th day of July,
with view to retailing our political
bearing, and determining with certainly
where we are at
THAT Il new political party, radically
differing from two old and opposing or
eanizations in fundamental principles.
may live and thrive when its leaders
are combining with one in one section
Of the country, and with the other in
another section, is, to our minds. too
absurd to admit for argument. This
cause for friction within party ranks, SO
much regretted by patriotic Populists
everywhere, unfortunately does exist,
and the Reform Press Association, at
its recent meeting, with a remarka BILE
unanimity responded to the demand for
such a conference, appointed this COM
mittee and prescribed it's powers and
duties.
"Disclaiming a factiOus spirit and de-
oliring to impGgn the motives of our
brethren, who honestly differ from us,
regarding the necessity for such con-
ference, we nevertheless believe its as
sembling at an early date is imperative.
"The future usefulness, aye the very
| existence Of the party itself, in our judg-
ment, depends upon the coming together
| of the representatives of the rank ard
file in spirit OF patriotic fraternity,
and the early formulation of definite
plan of action for the future which will
preclude the possibility of earnest re-
formers being made the victims of mis-
placed confidence.
"a young and vigorous party should
in no wise permit its line of policy to te
shaped by the action of other parties.
It should aud must be aggressive in the
| ad' ccacy of it's principles, else it has no
mission in the field of politics and be-
comes plaything for INSCRIPTIONS
Gemagogues. True J Pooultsts know
what they want and will use every hon
orable means to attain It, They are in
different as to what The old party tocses
iray say or do, and they deny the right
X any man or set of men to dictate t. e
time, place or manner Of their assem-
bling.
"Lest public officials or aspirants