The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-12-25
% on Fusion.


EX-GoveruUr William j. Stone has
issued the following interview Oh the
subject OF fusion
Last Sunday l read an interview,
said TO have been given out by Gov
ernor Stephens, apparently in opposition
to fusion. Thursday | read an editorial
in the Mexico Intelligencer presumably
written By Chairman Coos vhlch,
while not advocating fusion, was d
criticism CT The governors utlerances.
Until I read the interview ard editorial
referred 10, l was not aware that
fusion was a subject OF serious discus
SION in eli. her the democratic or popu-
list parties. l do not believe 1t has
been discussed to any considerable
extent. How far discussion may be
provoked by the governors interview
and The chu,rmau's editorial remain to
be seen. The less the better.
al presume no one imagines that
either party contempiates abandoning
It's Organization. On the contrary,
every body supposes that both parties
will go on as usual. On some questions.
notably the coinage question, the DEM
Ocrats and populists are agreed, while
on other questions they are o agreed
But because OF the very important
points of agreement between them the
Two parties united last year on the
The presidential ticket. For the same
reason they cooperation in INT way or
another in many states and congress
sional districts; and for the same
reason they co-operated again during
the present year, notably so IN Ne
braska and Iowa, where complete
fusion was had on the state tickets.
s'What either party may do in the
future | can not tell. Of one thing |
teel sure, and that is that the battle of
1896 will be fought over again. l am
more concerned about that than / am
about who shall hold some petty oihce
IN Missouri. 1t is reasonably certain
that the republicans and Clevelandites
will unite in 1900, as they did In 1896,
although l believe. that a large number
who followed Cleveland last year will
return to the democratic party. We
may also be absolutely sure that our
enemies will do everything possible to
prevent a union of the forces opposed
10 them. It is more than probable
that both wisdom and patriotism will
again demand a union of democrats,
populists and silver republicans in 1900.
Ii our opponents combine, why should
not the friends of bimetalllsm COM
0ineP But the combination of parties,
however desirable, is a thing always
difficult t accomplish. Every expe-
rienced man knows how difficult IL Is to
- -.o. r,b,ok - unu racnn0tS
are antagonistic, ever though there is
every apparent good reason for tenn
porary cooperation. 1t requires
patience, skill and good judgement on
The part of all to bring 1t about. To
what extent cooperation may be pos
sible or necessary in the future, or 10
what extent and upon what basis
attempted, If at all, is a question of too
great Importance to be lightly disposed
Of. | regard 1t as unwise and extremely
mpolitic to do anything now that may
increase our difficulties hereafter.
.sWith all due respect to the gov
ernor and the chairman, l think a
newspaper controversy on the subjeci
If fusion ill-advised ut this time
Especially is that true If the con-
troversy is To assume a personal phase.
[ am the friend of both gentlemen, and
know both as good loyal democrats. l
expecI the difference between them
after all, is more seeming han real.
The governor and chairman should
pull together, not apart. The rank and
ile will be disappointed if they do not
All of us should pull together, and
avoid controversies over sido issues.
We have u fine organization in Mis-
.ouri, which both Governor Stephens
md sir. Cook have done much to build
We are all right in this state If we
TO not blunder. Blunders are some
ines worse than crimes. II is easier
tear down than to build up.
II am sure II VIII DO better for all il
We democrats will just let other peOpl.
done and go earnestly and actively To
work organizing our own forces. Lei
as strengthen ON own lines. and let
other parties alone for the present
lnly maintaining amity and good will
with our former allies. II populists and
epubIlcans will do the same, the future
will take care of itself. l have no doubi
all will do what may seem to be for the
oest when the time for action comes
The proposed discussion is ill-tlmed
and out of place. move that IN.
debate be closed and the further con-
slderation of the subject postponed"