The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-07-19
dissolution of Populism.


printed i'm this weeks Constitution from
the pen of Hon. Thomas T. watson, III
which he says:
In the breaking up Of the peoples party
which AR Butler has done 50 much 10
bring about. many other old-iime repup-
leans will be found doing just what Dun
ming did. II We cannot arrest the falling
L. pieces Of our parry. those who Were once
democrats will b. democrats again, and
those who were republicans VIII be repub-
Iicans again. Fusion is dissolving populsm
back into its original elements.
In speaking - ";he breaking up OF
the peoples party" Mr. Watson alludes
to II rs an accomplished fact. and one
which. If not entirely plain to him, is
50 to the disinterested observer, who can
judge of passing events without preju-
dice.
The desire for fusion which grew so
strong as to force itself upon the pop
ulist convention in ST. Louis. was but
the development Of the fact that men
are naturally ranged under two Hays
the masses and the classes. There will
he at all times \ party representing
what may be called special and artificial
interests which seek TO profit at the eX-
pense OF the masses. There will be
another party devoted 20 popular rights,
and opposed 10 the creation of special
exemption and the protection of special
interests at the sacrifice Of the welfare OF
the masses. The former class is always
consolidated and hold well together,
while the latter often divides into many
camps and is only brought together IN
the face Of great emergency. Such a
crisis confronted the populist conven-
ton in ST. Louis, when the delegates
found the classes arrayed under Mckin-
ley and the masses under Bryan. MI
Watson IS entirely right when he says
that no party should exist for the mere
purpose OF voting men into Office, but,
unfortunately. it IS only by voting for
men that change of bad laws can be
effected. Therefore in indOrsing Mr..
Bryan the populist convention was only
true 10 Els own principles in adopting tho
peoples cause as against that of the
gold standard and a protective tariff.
The crisis thus outlined still exists,
and viii continue to exist until the poo
Me have forced their VIII into law. The
democratic party has ever been the par
~ OF home rule. of economical govern
ncnt and OF all tho policies which build
up the home and the country.
But parties cannot resist the popular
impulse 10 stand upon the one side or
the other and. rs Mr. Watson says,
those who were once democrats will be
democrats again, and those who were
republicans will DO republicans again"
The cause OF tho people, in its entirety.
has been taken up by the democratic
party. and the cause OF the favored
classes. the selected few, has been adopt
ed by the republicans. That division is
now more sharply defined since the
smoke has cleared away from the field
OF battle of 1886. aud no power on earth
can keep the people from aligning them
selves Tor the campaign of 1900.
The Constitution takes no part in the
talk which would belittle the character
or the Importance Of Hon. Thomas i.
Watson. lie is a Georgian Of brilliant
attachments. so prominent as TO have
once headed the democratic electoral
ticket OF the state. ana he made a mis-
take in leaving the democratic party.
In the advocacy of his opinions he has
been strong and outspoken, and to his
credit let st be said when others trad
I'd their political convictions for Office
and went back upon the very principles
they had previously advocated, Mir. Wat
son. who might have done the same
thing with equal profit. refused 10 do
So and stood honorably by his princi-
pies. such a man IS entitled to respect.
In the diss0lving of parties back into
original elemenis-in which democracy
stands for the people and republicanism
for the greed Of specially favored inter-
ests-Mr. Watson should lead the way,
and taking the place TO which his ability
and integrity entitle him. help in bring
ing about that condition of things which
viii send blessing and hope into every
American family lie should return TO
the democratic party.
But no matter what the leaders may
do. the leaven is at work. and the reyo-
luton which brought together over
$500. 600 voters in 1896 will sweep the
field next year, and in 1900.
Just stick n pin there,