The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-09-21

emancipation from industrial slavery.
a slavery built on unjust monetary and
transportation systems that deprive
men OF the fruits of their toll.
To give direction to the chaotic forces
longing to be freed from the drudgery
of poverty, a drudgery entailed upon
them through no fault Of their own
save it be ac~quiescence in injustice
that they have it in their power to
remedy, is the task that lies before the
leaders and party that would direct
the movement for emancipation with
success. And this task the Democratic
party shuns, the leaders fearing to
essay to lead the way out OF chaos,
fearing their leadership would not be
followed, and so result in the defeat OF
the party. But if that leadership was
not mistaken, and it would not be mis-
taken if grounded, not on a basis OF ex-
pediency, but upon convictions as to
what was for the country's wtal, not
primarily for self and party, that lead
ership would be followed and what was
undertaken with the up ancbing puF-
pose of serving the country without
regard to dreams of personal or party
victory would be found the best way
of promoting both self and party ad
vancement.
But there are weaknesses in mems
characters, weaknesses in a party that
make this true leadership impossible
and success under the leadership that
is offered impossible. And to these
weaknesses the leaders of the DsmO
cratic party, and so the Democratic
party, have shown themseIv g to be q
prey. Therefore it is that the Demo
cratic party has shown itself incapable
of giving direction and force to chaos
and weakness, untitled for leadership
because it's leaders seek to narrow
down the new struggle for emencipa
ton to one issue, to severing one bond
Eof the new industrial slavery, to com
promising that which is uncompro-
misable.~
The PopuIist party has the force to
give direction to che chaotic elements
seeking emancipation, for it has the
spirit of true leadership, a leadership
that can be true only while directs d,
not for the attainment of personal or
party victory, but for the advancement
of principle without regard to personal
ambitions, that can only be successfut
while the leaders stand ready to sacri
fee self if avowal of conviction and
steadfastness to principle demands it
It the Populist makes of itself the
vehicle for promoting personal ambi
Gion it cannot unity the forces that
muet be unified and directed if emsn
cipRtion from the slavery of power ty,
that now grinds down our producing
classes, is to be attained. II it makes
It's first end the promotion Of the inter
ests of country, The uplifting OF Our
aRgrieved and down trodden producing
classes, aud supports no leaders VINO
will not lend themselves to this end. it
can be this unlfying force. Party sue
cesses and the advancement to positions
Of honor and trust OF leaders who prove
themselves true, leaders who 90 not
/ criDge before the dangers and RESPONSE
] OIlitIes Of leadership as place seekers
/ do, will come with such unlfying OF the
forces. now looking lOngIngly for eman-
cipatiOn, but such successes and sucn
advancements must be- the incidental
aim o the party. Leaders must be put
forward to serve ends of general and
pubhc policy not the aims OF the party
twisted so as TO serve leaders Pursuit
of the low IDEAL Of party will lead to
defeat, pursuit OF the high so success
The opportunity to unity the chaotic
forces struggling for emancipation
stands before the Populisg party. Let
it se'z9 that opportunity. To sejz3 it.
it has but to show itself worthy of
leadership. 1t now stands without gan
eral leadership and rent with dIecOrG.
To show itself worthy Of leadership it
must heal It's discorGs, cast aside tn0se
would be leaders who would have the
POpulist party serve them rather than
they the party, and put forward q
leader who will command respect gne'
show himself worthy of confidence and
leadership. Tnis the Populist party
cannot do too soon, for the time for
unifying the forces struggling for
emancipation from industrial slavery
is now, and this u~uifcaCion cannot be
accomplished without leadership, Be
fore the Congressional campaign of
1898 opens the Populist party shoulc
heal it's discorda, take the position and
make the declarations of principle that
will give direction t chaos and put
forward it's leader. Before the Con
gressiOuel conventions of 1898 the
Populist party ought to hold a National
convention and lay down the lines for
| the campaign, not only Of 1898. but of
1900. By so doing 1t car make itself
the unifyirg force in the struggle for
| emancipation from industrial slavery.
Will it seize that opportunity
l M CANTMOT 90 CTTDEN