The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-09-29
CLEARLY DEFINED.

Mr.. James H. Ferris of Joliet, Ill.
chairman of the National Press Associa-
ton, writes us a private letter in which
he says:
Il do not think that We ought to organ
ize new party, and l do not think That
that is the object of our committee on or
ganiZation We are merely organized to
convert people to our principles. The party
machinery is still in the hands of Butler,
or a provisional committee of which Parks
is chairman. My committee is the commit
tee of organization and education, and we
want to organize clubs, lodges, reading
circles debating clubs, literary societies,
and anything else that will push our prin-
ciples forward. There is no intention upon
our part to divide the party and you can
depend upon it that will never do any
thing of that kind. 1t would be folly for
us to waste days in that manner. If
l can't do otherwise. 1 will have to visit
your people at St. Paul and have talk
with you about the matter.
Our purpose is to push the education in
Minnesota, the Dakotas, Oregon Washing
ton. Kentucky. Ohio, and Michigan, and
such other states have show in,
as rapidly as possible and make very few
states very good states for our cause. In
Kansas we are not doing anything. for
they getting along very well there,
and l think by the time we hold another
convention. it will be a straight Populist
party again. if we do not get up a row."
He further says:
"The fusionists have two secret societies
at work-One for Iusion, and the other to
make straight fight on silver-to lay aside
all other issues until that is won. They
say the plutocrats will not permit us to
seat our president if we go farther"
We are glad to have this declaration
from the chairman of the National Press
Association. 1t is an influential body
that may and can do great good or great
harm. Let all the loyal members of the
party work together to advance it's in
terests and increase its numbers.
The statements made by Mr. Ferris
that two secret societies are at work for
fusion accords with facts that have
come to our knowledge in this state of
Minnesota. We think that an extensive
correspondence is going on, by which
our leading men in different counties,
are approached and their prejudices
sought to be aroused against those who
! insist that the party shall stand by itself.
We have heard of cases where letters Of
20 and 40 pages have been written to
men denouncing ourself and the "Mid-
dle-o the readers" as they call us.
There is in our judgment no doubt that
an organized conspiracy has been
formed to accomplish the merger of the
party with the Democracy.
We have repeatedly heard the same
statement contained in Mr.. Ferris letter
that we must confine the principles OF
our party to the question of free silver,
or if we elect president upon a wider
basis that the plutocracy will not per-
NIT our candidate on any platform 10
enter the White House, if they have the
power to prevent 1t. 1t will be a sad
day for the United States If the people
they think is right through any such
threats. Whenever we are governed in
that way we have ceased to be free
people. We had better 60 ahead and
vote, right, and then, If necessary, fight
right. We don't want war, but we pre-
fer war to slavery; and the men who can
be intimidated in that way are little
better than slaves.
We want cur friends to let us know OF
any evidences they possess of the work
ings of these conspiratcrs. They need
not give the names Of their correspond
ents unless they desire to do SO; but
"forewarned is forearmed," and the peo-
pie should know what kind Of games
are going on. The men to be feared
are those who say little but work under
covert Is the dog that does not bark
that is most likely to bite. 1. D.
Lease Fund.
o. B. Holm writes us from Marsh
River, Mimi:
Inclosed find money order for 81 to ap-
ply on my subscription also check for 50
cents for the Mrs, Lease fund, Stand