The advocate., 1897-10-13
The Situation,

Inc SITUATION,
Editor Advocate past expert
ence of political refOrmers very clearly
shows the necessity Of deliberate, care
full and painstaking thought in crises
like the present. Desire for Office, legit-
innate in itself, sometimes betrays
trusted leaders into hasty action, which,
in the end, proves fatal to the cause Of
true reform. Probably the action of the
Peoples party national convention last
year at st. Louis was the only thing left
us to do, without absolutely contribut-
ing, as a party, to McKinley's election.
But no intelligent POpulist entertained
any other thought but that future alli-
anCe between these parties would de-
pend entirely upon the future adherence
of the Democrats to principles of true
and vital reform.
am glad to give Populists the full
est credit for having, in their endorse
ment Of Mr.. Bryan, proven beyond cavil
their ability to- sink partyism beneath
loyalty to principle. However, no one
will dispute that, in the event of future
Democratic action inimical to true re-
form, all Populist affiliation must cease
at once. Under these conditions the idea
of carrying an election by so-called fu-
sion must not be entertained for one
moment. 1t is true that such cOmbina-
tiOn OF forces might result In placing
some Of our men in paying positions,
who otherwise would fail of such posi-
tiOns. But we who have given our lives
and our energies to the establishment
Of true principles must tremendously
antagOniZe such pie-hunting surrender.
Up to this point all will agree with me;
and right here the question will be
asked, Does any one doubt w. J.
Bryan's trustwOrthiness? The answer
is that the present question Is Of far
greater moment that that of Mr.. Bryan's
personal ability, integrity or devotion
TO true principles. II Mr.. Bryan was
in the Peoples party he would be true
to these principles, because untram-
meled by party connections. Further
more, let us admit that this great man
will, in any event, remain thus true.
but does not the present attitude of his
party as shown by the action of nearly
all their late State conventions, their res
their nominees, and in a word,
the entire spirit and animus of the
party, prove that they, as party in re-
altty have no love for those great polit-
ical principles that Populists know must
be enacted into law ere relief is possible
to the masses? Mr.. Bryan may hope
that he can lead his party to higher |
level, but his party certainly now con-
trolls him, rather than he them. The |
writer yields to no man in high regard |
for Mr. Bryan, but is 1t not absolutely |
certain that he is now powerless to lead |
his party to love and manfully main
tain the essentials of national enanci-
patton from corporation rule?
Who was it that first flattered, then
the old Greenback party? Now
please don't cry out "middle-Of-the-
'oader" to me. What I desire Is nei-
her middle of the road" silver Re-
publican party, nor fusion, or any DEM
)cratic alliance under present circum-
stances; but so shaping our present
movements as to leave US i'm freedom
o avail ourselves of such future union
Il all reform forces as certainly will be
hected ere success against the capital
site power is possible.
Let us keep constantly in view the
oming Of a great and all-cOnquering
lnion Of reform forces in this country.
his can never be done under any pres
Mt existing name. Nor can such union
e etfected at all if present action OF
'opuEists should render us unable 10
cad Off In this grand movement when
ne opportune moment arrives.
Larned, KaSs wv, M. GOODNER.