The Louisiana populist., 1897-01-29
AN APPEAL
To the POpuiists Of the
United States.

We are to be congratulated upon
the growth OF onr party and the
fact that in the recent election
nearly half the voters of the Union
indorsed much Of our platform.
No party ever achieved more bril-
liant success In so brief a time.
Although handicapped in late
late campaign, we emerge
from the contest stronger than
ever. Our party alone has q
voting force larger than that which
elected Lincoln and an able, etfec-
tice reform press of nearly two
thousand papers. We elected
several governors us we'll as hun
dreds of other State. county, and
town officials. We hold the BAL
ance of power in the United States
Senate and have four times as
many congressman as ever before.
We united with the silver for
ccs in the recent campaign, not
because we believe free COMA ge of
silver is the solution of the fnan-
cial problem, but because it would
better existing conditions, would
meet with the least resistance and
become the entering wedge Of our
main issue, viz, full legal tender
paper money, issued and regula-
ted by the government alone.
Having proved oar loyalty at the
polls, we are free to act separate
ly On advanced lines and to en-
phasize the real issues our party
was born to advocate. We cannot
in honor lay down our arms and
cease our activity until the war
for which we enlisted has ended
in victory Tor our cause.
The democratic party proposes
to contine the silver fight. Two
parties canno. exist on the same
issue. The greater absorbs the
smaller. therefore,, if we remain
mere camp followers of another
party, disintegration will result
Our party success alone forced tn,
democrats to adopt the Chicago
platform and nominate popocra
Tor President. Converts made by
party regularity cannot he trusted
with the reforms of the future.
} DEMOCRATS TRIED TO ABSORB POP
ULISTS.
While chairman of the Chicago
. branch of our executive committee
!, during the campaign, my contac
with the chairman of the demo
cratic State committees revealed
} to me the fact that III many case
e they were more anxious to elec
Y their State tickets and absorb tn.
@ populists than they were for tn
|, success of Bryan and the Chicag'
~ platform, but this does not appl,
to the chairman and officers of th
!. National Committe.
We are not democrats and can
not be classed as such. We simp
e ly united for single campaign
- The democratic party is but tn
j. rear guard of our own. We d
not stand for redemption money
but for scientific dollar, KEEP
invariable by proper regulation Q
N the money volume. Then VIII
So should a high school gradual
. re-enter the intermediate grade
IL Our grandest achievements are i
4 the future, if we inspire the pee
a, pie through separate party actio
~ with our chief issues, and hol
= our forces together by taking th
: lead which belongs to us in pres:
ne ing to success the reforms OF tt
he day.
a. The millions of converts to 81
IS, yer during the recent campaig
p must advance. They will not r.
lis main where they are. We mu
d. educate them up to the main issu
an and the time to do it is now, nj
at Just before a Presidential election
IS. We must also hold the democrat
lg party to its present position I