The Louisiana populist., 1897-01-15
NOTES AND COMMENT.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING,
THINKING AND DOING.
VIII the Fusion Idea BE Continuedo-
Would BE Easy in Some States-A
Difficult Task in Others-A Confer
ence of Leaders Is Near at Hand.

Difficult Task In Others-A Confer
ence of Leaders Is Near at Hand.
The result of the election seemed to
be surprise to everybody almost, but
the republicans. Up to the last minute
both sides claimed everything. East
OF the Mississippi and north of the
Ohio it was a republican landslide.
Notwithstanding the fact that the re-
publicans have severely criticised Mr..
Bryan for intimating that the question
would be decided on sectional lines, the
result proves the correction of his
judgment. With the exception of Cali
fornia and Oregon the Mckinley states
ere grouped in a bunch in the east and
north, and extending as far west as
Wyoming.
The result further shows that where
the silver question has been agitated
most Mr.. Bryan received his best sup
port. In the east the issue was new
and the people had never studied it.
Another four years of gold standard
administration, unless it is great i'm
provement on that of Grover Cleve-
lands will likely give them an object
lesson which will induce them to give
the question serious consideration.
There is one element in the result
which is fortunate for the opponents of
the republican party. They have shift
ed all responsibility from their should
ers. The full responsibility is with the
republicans. They will have both
branches of congress and the president.
They have placed themselves on record
as the advance agent of prosperity.
They have pledged their words that
the gold standard will bring it. The
whole country will watch for the re-
suits predicted and if the party fails
to redeem its pledges its doom Is
sealed.
We are not of that class, however
who believe the country has gone to
irretrievable ruin because the election
did not 60 as we wished it. We have
heard that cry for sixteen years. We
have confidence in the intelligence and
patriotism of the people as the great
balance power that will be able to save
the republic at any crisis. The harder
the times the sooner the party in power
will be voted out, and when 1t be-
comes evident ttat the party cannot be
trusted then the people will revolt.
Great things are not born without
great travail, and truth has always
had to fight for every inch Of ground
it occupied. What education lacks in
accomplishing, oppression and tyran-
ny Will supply. But the work of edu.
cation is necessarily slow. But the OBJ
feet lessons educate very rapidly. That
times will be better for short time
we do not doubt. When the beacon
strictor loosens his folds for another
grip the victim feels easier until the
pressure is renewed. Money will flow
into circulation and enterprise will be
stimulated, but woe unto the unwary
who lose their heads and indulge In
speculation. The trap will close again
and another batch of mortgages be add
ed to the burdens Of the people.
How will the election affect the peo-
ple's party? is a question now upper
most in everybody's mind. At this
early date (Nov. 10y it is difficult to
tell. Y find a disposition on the part
Of some to continue the alliance with
the democratic party. We do not think,
however, that this will meet with the
appreciation of the great majority of
members Of the peoples party. There
was strong opposition to any alliance
will IuS uCulOSAdtS Jul lib tuc iCCCuI
campaign and that opposition has be-
come intensified since the election. 1t
is more than probable, however, that
in such states as Kansas, Nebraska,
and Colorado, where the local tickets
have been successful, that a continued
alliance will obtain. but in those states,
the democrats cut but little figure so
far as numbers are concerned, and
their influence consists only In holding
the balance of power. They are per-
haps now practically absorbed by the
populists.
In all the southern states the situa-
ton is different. To make an alliance
with the democratic party means a
total and absolute surrender Of our
party machinery. The same condition
applies to Illinois. Missouri, Iowa. Min
nesota, Indiana, Ohio and other north
ern states. The peoples party must
draw fits recruits from both old parties.
An alliance with the democrats not
only prevents disgusted republicans
from joining our ranks. but drives out
1880 "a Ox,v. ry,r ~, ~, = nrc xs,hn uounr