The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-12-15
foisted themselves into position as "sil-

yer Republicans" or Democrats.
Half dozen such self constituted
leaders of these factions could in any
county claim party organization and
generally secure several of the best
nominations for office under the fusion
deal; and if in any county the popu-
lists refused to surrender to their ev-
cry demand, forces could usually be
brought to bear to defeat the ticket.
This explains the reason why in the
state of Kansas where 735 county Off
GERS were elected this fall, less than
200 are Populists.
The general situation is somewhat
similar in other states holding locs1
elections.
Colorado had an experience last year
which placed Populism on an independ-
ent plane Of action in that state this
year and they have scored the only
Pcpulist victory that stands this year to
the credit of any state.
The Populists of Nebraska could have
done just what Colorado did, had they
kept their nerve and not allowed them
selves trampled down by old party
tricksters.
But the spirit Of Populism still lives
in every state and will again be as
serted in every county of these states
that were carried away by the sirens.
song of fusion and though the lesson has
been dearly bought it will never be for
gotten.
From one of the best county papers
in the United States, the Advocate, pub
lished at Mankato, Kansas, which has
tried hard to harmonic the cause OF
Populism with the idiocy OF fusion, we
have clipped an able editorial review
ing the situation, from which we re-
publish the. following extract:
'.We do not endorse the theory that
our defeat is due to the failure to fuse
with the other parties. The result
would have been even more disastrous
had such fusion been consumintred. we
want to say right now, that so far as
we are concerned, unless we experience
a change of heart, we never want any
more fusion. If there can be a union
OF all forces opposed to the theories
and fallacies advocated by the goldbug
Republican party, a union where every
one stands on an equal footing, we'll
DIT f,,c hot ri
with a division of places can never prove
satisfactory or of lasting benefit and
we are opposed to any such move in
the future. A union of all forces op-
posed to the gold standard, to high tar
if, to government by injunction and to
trust and corporation rule, conditions
which were given us by the Republi-
cans; union under one banner, with
equal rights to all and special privi-
legeto none as motto, would be sat
isfactory and successful. But tempor-
ary joining of forces, with separate
heads-fusion for temporary advantage,
can never be satisfactory"
The feeling manifest in the above
quotation Is the feeling that exists all
over the states of Kansas and South
Dakota and largely over other portions
OF the west and represents the spirit
that will prevail everywhere after the
ignis fatuus of fusion shall have been
dispelled.
In districts where fusion won this
year the cause is only delayed that
much longer.
Independent political action is the one
only hope for the people, and The soon
er this is the accepted policy the earlier
we will be on the road to final success.
The treachery and falsehood that is
prompted by fusion. deals must be
stamped out, and only those placed on
guard who are true to our principles.
Kansas has had her lesson and will
now start over again.
Other states will take hint from
what has been proven this fall.
Independent Peoples party action will
be demanded from Maine to California
and from Minnesota to Florida.
The skies will clear up and a cloud of
fusion darkness which has enshrouded
the political horizon will disappear
1t is now plain that with the lessons
of The past before us, Populism will
by 1900 be again an organized, aggres.
slve political force in every state of
the union, acting independently of the
cid parties, working for victories for
the people and not trailing along to
help lot of hungry Democratic poll
ticians
The one victory in Colorado proves
the power Of Populism when fusion IS
resented and devotion to principle is
made the rallying cry.
The defeat of Populist tickets in the
solid Populist counties of Kansas en-
phasizes the treachery of fusion allies;
and all true Populists feel just like o.lr
friends in Mankato, Joining of forces,
with separate heads-fusion for tempor-
airy advantage, can never be satisfac-
tory"
When all our people know and fully
understand this fact we will again be
on the high road leading toward ulti-