Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-03-25
MIS- on ofths \ spIsv l.arsy.

industrial organizations of the country.
The Farmers Alliance and the Knights
Of La Dor were present at its christen-
ing. 1t grew rapidly. Its power was
first made known in Kansas, Nebraska
and the Dakotas in 1890. And still It
grew. 1t spoke at ocala, Cincinnati
and ST Louis, and its voice aroused
a million men. It gave one hand to
the south and one to the west Then
it spoke at Omaha, and its voice was
that Of prophet telling of new dis.
pensation. 1t proclaimed old truths
that apparently had been forgotten. 1t
gave tongue to the honest discomfort
It reminded the world OF the old pro.
verb-"wealth belongs to him who
creates it"-and the stock jobbers and
millionaires proclaimed this ian
archy." 1t showed to the world the
incompetence and iEsincerity Of the
two old parties, 1t tore the mask
from the face Of government and re-
vealed co-partnership with the de.
spoilers Of the people and conspiracy
as wide as the world 1t raised the
abandoned standard of the silver that
had been stricken down in 1873, and it
proclaimed the new truth that public
utilities should be owned by tine PEG.
Pile; 1t emblazoned on its banner this
other doctrine-''the land is the herit-
age Of man and on it every citizen had
right to home"
Thus IL went into the first conGi'.
It's followers were motley crowd
There were few miners and farniu:s
in the west, a few planters in the
south, few laboring men in the cities.
There was few advanced aud philan-
throphic men whom the world had
dubbed ''cranks." In the cultured
east it had no foothold and the name
''populist" was term ofreproach 1t
was without money and had press
of only few hundred weekly papers.
But over It and its followers fell
the light of sublime truth, and 1t
went forward. In its first contest II
polled over a million votes; It elected
dozen congressman, three governors,
and two United y:ates senator's In
the subsequent years it grew, and its
influence was felt more and more. In
1894 It cast nearly two million votes.
and in 1896 the prospects became
bright for its becoming the second, and
eventually the first great national par
ty. But then tho democratic party
dishonored by Grover Cleveland cast
ing around for new issue and new
lease Of life, took up one or two Of The
populist issues It nominated for its
candidate brave and brilliant youag
man though democrat, had been edu.
Gated by the peoples party and elected
by it to congress.
Then crisis confronted the new
party 1t chose The better part For
the sake of one gifts principles it laid
its hope in the dust, and for the good
of the people, voted to elevate the
democracy to power.
In this it failed; but had the demo.
Gratis supported their candidates with
the loyalty shown by the populists ht
would have been elected.
Populism is no longer despised 1t
has become powerful factor in A5nsri-
can politics. It's doctrines are per-
meating both the other wings of thO
reform army. 1t today has eight SEN
ators, five governors, twenty-four con-
gressmen, and is the first or second
patty in half the states Of the west 1t
has revolutionized the democratic par
ty and split the republican party IN
twain. 1t has complete control of the
government of numoer Of states and
it is showing a vigor surprising to its
enemies. II has now reached point
where it will be prominent factor in
shaping the destinies OF the nation.
But what of the future? What is
the mission of the peoples pa rty in the
coming three Year, and in the new cen.
fury?
Today there is a general breaking UP
in American parties This will con-
tinue more and more as the Mckinley
administration progresses. Never be-
fore was such an opportunity pre-
scented to the peoples party to spread
its doctrines. The ground is broksc
ready for sowing the seed of truth.
Letevery populist turn to the work
with renewed energy and with rein
vigorated faith in the final triumph OF
justice and right.
The mission of the peoples party
has just begun. Nebraska Indepen.
dent.
And from Boston comes word that in
that city exists "ons of the greatest
nnrnera ~, rrnnl .rer ntte,nnteA In an.