The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-10-20
OUR FORUM
WHARTON BARKER.

The Leading Populist of Maine Pro-
poses Him for President.
Editor Representative:
in common with yourself and every
other lover of humanity I am anxious
to see the Peoples party live and
thrive At the present moment we are
in a bad tangle; but if judgment ana
wisdom are allowed to prevail the way
cut will be clear. A mad wave Of Of
fee hunting is sweeping over the party
throughout the West and those pie
hunters are we'll nigh in the saddle.
1t is simply useless to sit down and
suppose that these men are coming
back to true Populist principles of their
own accord. The Democratic wire
pullers have fixed things to suit them
selves. We cannot undo this mischief
by singing psalms through our noses,
and prating about the necessity Of
standing by principle regardless Of po-
litical organization. God helps those
who help themselves. Napoleon won
his battles by knowing how best to
dispose of his forces. There is no royal
be won by hard work and shrewd man
agement. We have been outwitted by
the Democrats and fusionists and we
| shall continue to be Outwitted by them
until we meet and beat them upon
their own ground
Ignatius Donnclly might have been
nominated for president at st. Louis
if common political sagacity could have
been allowed to prevail in our ranks.
The Bryan forces were thoroughly or
gained and knew exactly what they
wanted. The middle of the roadsters,
on the other hand, were simply dis
organized mob. This has been the
history Of all reform movements and
parties. They disregard the most vital
things necessary for success. Now, are
we to continue on in this slip shou
manner? Are we going to wait until
the next national convention has as
sembled before trying to find out what
course we shall follow? If so, it re
qulres no prophet to fortell the re-
suit. The fusionists are organizing
themselves thoroughly. Bryan and the
whole machinery of the Democratic
party is behind them They will 20
into our next convention solidly united
for VIM. J. Bryan. Are we to meet
them as we did at st. Louis, without
leadership and without any definite
plan OF action? If we do, then mark
we'll my predictions: Bryan will walk
Off with our nomination and the Peo-
pies party is forever ended.
This deplorable result can easily be
avoided If our men will allow common
sense to work. In the first place we
must rally around some great leader.
But If we attempt to do this around any
OF cur own middle of the road men.
we shall be beaten on the first vote. It
will be impossible for us to muster any
but middle of the road votes to orr
candidate. We must play political
strategy and take some man who can
detach a large portion of the fusion
strength. There is one man in this
nation who prominently fills this
bill, and that is Wharton Barker. editor
OF the Philadelphia American. If prin-
ciple counts for anything then he is a.
Populist staunch and true. But he has
not been mixed up in any of these
party quarrels and is therefore strong
with all factions. He can unite the
party as no other man could possibly
DO Not only that, but he would bring
the silver Republicans to us in a BODY.
He is the strongest man in the nation
with the labor unions and they would
rally to his support almost to a man.
The democrats would be completely out
Wltted and outgeneralei Bryan could
never rally his forces against Barker
nor would he attempt the impossible
task. 1t would place our party suuarelv
IN the lead and make us inyincib1e.
Such men as Donnelly, Norton ana
Watson would then go into the cabinet
and other positions of trust where
their splendid abilities could be utilized
to some purpose. A live dog is better
than dead lion; and | had rather
see such a man as Ignatus Donnelly
In a reform cabinet than to see him
crushed out under the empty honor Of
presidential nomination. All this can
be brought about by exercising a little
common sense. I am tired and sick
of belonging to party that forever re-
fuses to recognize that certain political
usages are necessary to attain success.
Up to this time the moment any CT
us have suggested using a little politi-
cal strategy we have been met with
an army of long haired cranks who
shout that we must do nothing as the
Old parties do. This kind of standing
by principle always results in standing
on our heads. The time has come
when we must meet the pirates and de-
feat them. We sacrifice no principle in
nominating Wharton Barker. He is
one of us and true as steel. But if we
are wise enough to adopt this course
we shall demoralize the Democratic
party at one blow. The leaders of that