The Louisiana populist., 1897-04-23

were unWllElngly forced to accept
our principles in the campaign of
1896, are probably no more sincere
now than they were when they
supported Harrison and Cleveland
in 1892; and should the Peoples
party relax its efforts, and cease to
apply the whip and spur to these
politicians by attracting the voters
to our party, there is nothing in
their past conduct to warrant the
belief that they would not support
their old party again, though the
gold combine should regain its
control.
The patriotic stand taken by the
Populist party in the last campaign
has added to its powerto command
the situation in the present and fu-
ture. Hal our party in the late
campaign displayed no higher pat
riotism than the old parties and
sought merely party ends, and not
proved itself equal to any party
sacrifice in order to advance the
welfare Of the people, we would
not now hold the confidence of the
masses, and stand as q bulwark of
the people against the intrioues Of
the old political leaders, that for
thirty years have betrayed the
people and controlled their parties
in the interest of the banks, mono
polies, and trusts.
Had Mr.. Bryan been elected
President with Il Congress in SYM
pathy with him, the money ques-
ton would have been speedily set
tied, and with forty or more trust
ed Leaders of the party in Con-
gress, and the state governments
OF several states in our hands, the
transportation question and other
vital issues presented by our plat
form would have at once become
the storm center of political dis
cussion, and the Peoples party
would soon acquire second if not
first place in the politics of our
country. Viewing the duty of
the present in the light of the past
experience, the demand for uphold
ing our organization and pushing
the work of education is more inn
peratiye now than at any time in
the past.
We have Governors in five
States, eight Senators, and twenty
three Congressman, and the cleo
tlon in 1898 will undoubtedly give
US the balance Of power in the
House as we now have it in the
Senate. The opportunity is be-
fore US to accomplish these results,
and more.
We, your representatives at
Washington are striving to push
forward the cause of the party,
and to strengthen and build it up.
and appeal to our reform papers
to join us in this effort. There
must be concentrated action and
an avoidance Of all entangling al
liances to insure success.
We regret and deprecate the
disposition of some to have the
party at this time declare what it |
will or will not do in the future as
to the best methods for strength !
ening the party and advancing its
No one can at this |
time forecast with certainty what
would be the proper course for
our party to pursue in convention
assembled three years hence. There
fore, there is but one safe course.
it seems to us, for every true Pop
ulist to pursue at this time name
", to do all in his power to i'm
press our principles upon the
country and to bring recruits into
the party, and stand ready when
the peoples representatives meet
IN convention to do what then seems
wisest and best to accomplish the
ends for which we are all striving.
The Populist Press can be a most
oowerful factor to bring this about.
When the Press of any party is
united and aggressive, the party
t; tself is united and aggressive.
Therefore, we appeal to every true
'opulist editor to cease the suici-
lal course Of firing at each other.
Turn your guns on the common
nemy, and let each issue of your
PAPER be full of articles discussing
he tenets Of the party as laid down !
n the last National platform. Let
here be no relaxing of efforts, but 8
united and steady advance all !
long the line, and victory will /.
rOWn our efforts. II