The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-10-19
Discomfort WITH RBPUBLI-
CANISM - DISTRUST OF DE-
MOCRACY--TRR OPPORTU-
NIFTY OF POPULISM."

The following article appeared in
Wharton Bankers American of Satur-
day, Oct. 9 Mr.. Barker truly says
that this is the opportunity Of the Peo,
pies party, and il its leaders will get
to work and get the party in working
condition, instead of fighting over
petty differences or sacrificing prin
ciple for power, then that party can
take the vacant place. 1t is probably
q very good idea to hold a National
convention next spring, but we do not
agree with Mr.. Barker in thinking 1T
advisable to nominate candidates then.
Mr. Barker says:
II q dear dollar calculated to put in
the hands of the creditor classes an
ever-increasing share Of the wealth
s produced by the industrial classes, il a
transportation system operated 80 "a
to wreck industries that will not pay
tribute to the speculative cliques Dr. in
which the cliques have no interest and
&C as to build up industries in which
the cliques are interested into trusts
and monopolies, il q tariff system de
signed to protect such trusts in their
exRctions, not protect consumers and
independent producers, a bring
prosperity, then the Republican party
will bring prosperity, for it is for such
things the Republican party stands.
And the party that al bring prosper
ity to the people will itself prosper.
But such policies, policies calculated
to enrich the few at the expense Of the
many, policies calculated to centTaliz9
the Realth produced by the industrious
in the hands of the speculative cltques
cannot bring p~EcSsrrsEisy. 80 tie Re-
publican party must fail, fail signally
when normal crop conditions in the
outside world return, and then there
will be disgust with the Republican
party, men will resolve on q change,
resolve on comforting power on a party
that will serve their interests. They
will hesitate, as they should, to confer
power upon a party That has failed
them in the past, a party in which
many Of the leaders show disagreeable
proof Of bending the party to selfish
ends, not q readiness to bend them
selves to the ends of the people, dis
position to have the people serve the
party rather than the party the people
Such is the disposition we find among
too nan of the leaders of the Demo
cratic party-a disposition TO make the
interests of country secondary to the
interests of party.
The Democratic party is indeed re
garded as a means to an end but to too
many Democratic leaders that end is
the advancement OF party and leaders.
A party led by men ready to sacrifice
principles for ucces is not to be
trusted, neither is a party led by men
who draw back from advocating poll
cies through fear of alternating some
political support. Support won by
honesty of conviction, By unswerving
regard for principle, by steadfast pur,
suit Of policies demanded by the public
veal is worth having and will bring
success. Support Fon by a traficing in
principle. by an ignoring or trampling
upon great policies of first interest to
our people, can better be done without.
Yet we find the Democratic party in
many places, and many Democratic
leaders ready to win support by a
sitting if not a sacrifice of principle.
And leaders thus showing themselves,
show themselves not only unworthy of
leadership, but untitled for successful
leadership.
Such is the political situation. There
is a vacant place. The people will
turn from the Republican party, for it
will not bring prosperity; a great part
of those opposed to the Republican
party will not turn again to the Demo
cratic party, where they have turned
before in vain; they will turn to a new
party, insist on a party that will serve
the people, upon the lesders who will
seek not primarily to advance their
ends, but the ends of the people
who honor them. The leaders who
will not serve such ends must and will
be thrust aside. The Populist party
should be this party and find these
leaders. But it cannot fill this place
while rent with discord, while it is
divided into factions bent on fighting
one another not a common enemy. By
healing it's discords it can fill the place
IN the political situation that is vacant:
1t cannot fill this place until it does
Some party will be found to fill this
vacant place, to make a common and