The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-12-01
CALIFORNIA IN LINE.

The State Executive Committee of
California assembled Oct 29th., and
adopted an address to the people, in
which it declared that fusion with other
political parties was a failure, and that
it would not be again considered; they
said
We renew our allegiance to the princi-
pies of the Omaha and st. Louis plat
forms. The PopuliSts were called into ex-
1stence by national necessity for a polit-
fcal party, which would be united in a de-
mand for reforms adequate to remedy the
influences and evils which exist in the
world.
The principles championed by our party
are born to live. The rapidity with which
these principles have been accepted by the
thoughtful and oppressed of all classes
proves that nothing is wanting to their tri-
umph but sturdy and persistent effort
We cannot abandon these principles which
are the hope of the nation. We must press
forward and demand a hearing for those
truths by active organization of those who
will never waiver in the contest. There Is
abundant evidence that the nation will
arouse from its slumbers if we faithfully
stand for our demands and point out the
fnsufficiency of lesser demands The weak
ness of other political parties is their re-
fusal to make platform demands which
meet the situation. The Omaha platform
renewed at St. Louis, sprang from the
candid hearts of the toilers and producers
who felt the iron heel of monopoly in all
it's forms and whose hearts yearned for
genuine relief. We cannot recede from the
demands they righteously made.
Candidates for public Office are in honor
bound to accept the platforms Of the par
ties whose nominations they seek and if
unwilling to accept such platform thew
should not ask for receive the nomina-
ton OF such party. Experience has demon
strated that attempted fusion by parties
who do not agree in political demands can
not command the support Of the members
of such parties.
We. therefore. conclude there can only
be an honorable and effective union Of
those who believe in the same principles
and that from henceforth no other kind
OF union should be considered by men,
bers Of the Peoples party
Holding these principles we urge all who
look to the deliverance of the 771tion from
monopoly to actively organize in our party
anu prepare for the coming contest
The position taken by the California
Populists is the correct one If two
parties have reached substantially the
same conclusions, and represent exactly
the same ideas, there can be no reason
why they should not unite in support-
ing, at the ballot box, the same can
didates; for, as it is principles that make
parties, those holding the same princi-
pies are practically one and the same
party. But when men come up, be-
longing to a party, that only holds part
OF the principles that we believe in and
ask us to put the other principles, that
do not suit them, in the background, and
unto in halfway fusion, then the
experiment is most perilous and apt to
be pernicious. When you have taught
men to abandon some OF their prin-
ciples for the sake Of profit or spoil
arc you not educating them to abandon
the remainder, under a like tempta-
ton? Do you not take all earnestness
and sincerity out of them? Are not