The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-06-08
CONFERENCE OF PoPULIsTs

4@S@4SA Ma
Nashville, Tennessee, July 4.
In conformity to aresolution adopted
by q unanimous vote Of the National
Reform Prees Association, at Memphis
Tenn, on last Washington's birthday,
the undersigned were appointed a com
mittee charged to respectfully request
the calling together of the National
Committee at a date not later than
May 1st, for the purpose of considering
the advisability of calling a National
Delegate Conference of the Peoples
party not later than July 4th, 1892,
basing the representation in said con-
ference on the highest actual Populist
mot fusiop) vote cast at any regular
election held since and including 1892
This duty having been promptly per-
formed and an affirmative response
having been withheld, the Chairman Of
this committee addressed a letter of in
quiry to the individual members of the
National Committee requesting their
opinion as to the advisability Of calling
such a conference, and a majority of
those responding about fifty in all)
answered in the affirmative.
This committee, on assembling in the
city Of Girard, Kansas, photographed
Chairman Butler this letter statement,
inquiring il he would call the commit
tee together and was answered by a
positive refusal.
As individuals we would be pleased
to escape the responsibility, which
these unnecessary and unfortunate
conditions, we have detailed devoIve
upon US, but the instructions of the
National Reform Press Association
leave us no discretion, hence the fol-
lowing call for a National delegate con-
ference:
To the Pop~list Voters of the United
States:
Recognizing the undisputed fact that
differences exist among PopUliste, not
as to the correctness of principles en-
bodied in the St. Louis and Omaha
platforms, but as regards the policy to
be henceforth pursued to advance the
cause of the people in their ~irrepressible
conflict with both the Democratic and
Republican parties; many of the truest
and ablest Popplists of the nation have
urged the necessity for holding a Ma
tional delegate conference this year on
or about the fourth day of July. with
atview to retaking our political bear.
ing and determining with certainty
where we r. at" -
That a new political party, radically
differing from two old and opposing or
CARNATIONS in fundamental principles,
may live and thrive when it's leaders
are combining with one in one section
of the country and with the other in
another section, is to our minds, too
absurd to admit of argument. This
cause for friction within party ranks,
so much regretted by patriotic Popu
lists everywhere, unfortunately does
exist, and the Reform Press at it's re-
cent meeting, with a remarkable una
nimity responding to the demand for
such a conference, appointed this com
mittee and prescribed its powers and
duties
Disclaiming a factious spirit and de
clining to impugn the motives of our
brethren, who honestly differ from us,
regarding the necessity for such con
ference we nevertheless believe it's as
sembling at an early date is impera
tive.
The future usefulness, aye, the very
existence Of the party itself, in our
Judgment, depends upon the coming
together of the representatives of the
rank and file" in a spirit of patriotic
fraternity and the formulation of q
definite plan of action for the future
which will preclude the possibility Of
earnest reformers being made the vic
TINS of misplaced confidence.
A young and vigorous party should
in no wise permit it's line of policy to
be shaped by the action of other par
ties. 1t should and must be aggressive
in the advC cacy of it's prir ciples, else
it has nc worthy mission in the field Of
politics and becomes a plaything for
interruptions demegogues. True Pop.
ulists know what they want, and will
use every honorable means to attain it.
They are Indifferent as to what the old
party bosses may say or do, and they
deny the right of any man or set of
men to dictate the time, place or man
ner of their assembling.
Lest public officials or aspirants
should attempt to control party action,
the Omaha Convention wisely resolved