Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-07-07
ABOUT PARTY POLICIES.
From Topeka Advocated

lNAOm AOPChh ADVOCATED
To an obseryant looker-on it is ap-
parent that the democrat party will
stand by its platform declarations of
1896, that the tariff question will be
virtually eliminated from it's party
creed, and free and unlimited coinage
of silver at Is to of gold will be it's
leading doctrine up to and including
the campaign of 1900.
And all signs point to a settled con-
viction among democrat party leaders
that silver republicans and Populists
will unite with the democrats in their
future campaigns. There does not ap-
pear any indication that the party will
abandon its new creed or its old name.
1t expects its allies of 1895 to be absorb
ed in the democracy and to become
democrats IN name and policy.
How do Populists propose to treat
this situation? Will they allow the
slabbering process to 60 on 80 as to be
ready for the swallowing at the ap-
pointed timer What is our National
Committee doing to preserve the integ
rity of the party? What is it doing to
further the party interests? Our pres
ldential candidate in 1892 is now enlist.
ed under the banner of democracy in
the Iowa state campaign, and 81 500 of
Mr.. Bryan's money has been invested
by Senator Allen for use of Populists in
the coming silver campaign.
Populists, as individuals, need not
borrow trouble because of these party
Omens. for they are free men and have
personal rights; but as partisans, be.
lieving in their party doctrines they
have an equal interest In the party's
policy. II it is the opinion of those
who, officially, have charge of the
party's interests that we cali best serve
our party by joining another and that
we can be better Populists by becoming
democrats, the fact ought to be made
known, that local committees, the party
press and speakers and writer's NAV ac-
commodate themselves to the changed
conditions.
The Advocate does not believe that
an alliance of three parties as we had it
in 1896 will be practicable next year or
in three years. If there is to be union
of the voting strength OF the allies in
future, it Will be wisdom to merge the
voters in one party. TO as many silver
republicans as are satisfied with the
Bryan creed of 1896, the change of party
name would be small matter, for thew
are in full sympathy with the central
idea (silver) of the regenerated democ-
racy. And the same thought applies
to Populists. Those of them who. like
Senator Allen, believe in REDEMPTION
money, would find nothing in the way
OF an easy enlistment in the service of
the democrat party. To our practical
politicians who think democratic sue
cess Will advance Populism, a perma.
nent personal union with the demo.
Gratis is not only feasible but wise as q
matter of party policy.
But how is it with those Populists
who believe that there are vital differ
ences between their party doctrines
and those of all the other parties, and
who are Of the opinion that uniting
with any other party is equivalent -
abandoning their own? These NJ
point to the election of a derooora.
president and congress in 1919 snS
their charge that the Cleveland admit
lstratlon was quite as had as the wors+
that republicans ever gave US is mot do
MED In any quarter. And if tbesa
uouotlng fopulists shrug their sboul.
ders hesitatingIy and ask for proof Of
regeneration of the democrat party no.
lore they quit party that has then
lull approval, what is to be done with
them! They would not feel at home
outside the Populist camp.