Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-11-19
POPULIST TALKS,
He Believes in a Union.
A Man Who Don't Want All His
Ideas in One Platform.

Ed. JoURNAL:-In THE JOURNAL
Of November 9th, you have taken q
position in regard to future political
action that it would be well for all
, parties to carefully consider. or
course all persons who are Republi-
cans, just because they are Republi-
cans, and have nothing further to do
in the matter than to always be Re-
publican, those persons / am not die
tating this article to. have been
acting with the Populists ever since
the party has been organized, and /
haye not abandoned one of the prin-
clDles that they have advocated and
enunciated in their platforms, but IL
is plain to be seen that we are not
likely to very soon get an endorse.
ment of all our ideas by the general
public. l haye also other ideas that
have never as yet, as haYe seen, been
engrafted into any political platform
that think would be of great ben
eft to humanity, could they be made
and engrafted into the laws of our
land, but judgment dictates to Inc
now that it would be foolishness for
me to try to bring tEem forward for |
serious consideration At the time |
Of the breaking out of the rebellion,
was an Abolitlonist, yet l thought 1t
was the best policy to act with the
Republican party in the suppression
of the further extension of slavery II
/ could not 90 any further.
can look back to the time and zee
the many objections that were
raised against the entire freedom Of
the black, and though to me then, and
proved sn since, by actual test that
they Wee but the buildings of fancy,
entirely imaginary, yet they were Yery
real to the parties proposing them,
From those experiences of the
past, coupled with the fact that l
have had buildings in my brain that
have proved to be mere mirages when
the clear sunlight of truth was turned
upon them, makes me a great deal
more tolerant with other people's
imaginary mountains than / might
otherwise be. The political success
of the reform forces depends upon
their getting on grounds upon
which we can all stand, and under
the present circumstances it will be
necessary to have that ground rather
small. | will say this as a Populist,
speaking for myself alone, that am
willing to trust to the future, and
when it becomes necessary to enlarge
the territory, l am willing to take my
chances as to the direction the en-
largement will be made, though 1 |
would not pledge myself to have to en-
dorse any proposition that might be
tackled on If felt it to be backward |
move.
The platform as you present it is
Sufficient, further than l would want il |
little more specific on the govern
ment having the control of all monies
issued would sum the matter up this
way The free coinage of silver, the |
government to issue all currency with
out the Intervention Of national |
banks, and TO receive the same with
out any distinction as to the kind, |
the Initiative and referendum, and
pledges of retrenchment. 1t is not at
all necessary TO go back 10 cast
eensure upon other parties for what
they have done, or failed 10 do, the
main object is to know Just what
1t Is we are intent upon doing our
selves aud bend every energy to their
accomplishment.
THOMAS BUcKMAN,
Marshheld, Or. Nov. -. 1897.
Nebraska nlr-a-d