The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-07-19

it's original elements-THOMAS L.
WATSON.
Tom Watson thus publicly acknowledges
that the populist party is going to pieces.
In hvc-column editorial which is pub
lished in the regular weekly issue of The
Peoples Party Paper no tells the story of
the party which he says was the altar upon
which he placed his political life for sacri-
flee
The editorial is startling. even when COM
ing from Watson.
He goes further and SAYS that no decent
voter will tolerate the present policy of
the party organization.
The editorial Is the most scathing of any
that has come in recent years from the
great populist leader. That It will create
a great sensation among the old-time fol-
lowers of the party is certain. 1t viii rev.
olutlonize populist thought and sentiment
1t will send the erstwhilc populists back
into the old parties like prodigaI sons re-
turning from their wanderings
The editorial goes into all the causes that
brought about the disintegration of the
party. and tells of the final crushing blow
which made the movement n part of the
past. Butler is handled numerically. Wat
death of the party through his fusion pol
icy. and denounces the national chairman
as snake in the grass to both friend and
foe. who traded the party for Office.
He speaks feelingly of the great princi-
pies for which he fought and tells of how
mucn he has loneed to bring about the
union between the south and the west
OF this he says: TO bring about this
union had put my political life upon the
altar and sacrificed II. when ! stepped out
nov lnf mod tnf
fer Simpson, Davis. Otis. Baker and Hal
vorsen in representing the new party In
congress. TO effect this great union was
still my ardent wish-for / knew that IN
no other way could the money power Oh
the north and east be ovcrthrown-
Watson explains why Dunning went back
into the republican party. and denies that
Cunning was ever n go-betwecn. He charges
Butler with the whole miserable fZzle or
the populist party in the last campaign.
Watson holds out but little hope that the
scattered parts of mis- party can ever De
reorganizod. lie only offers this as vague
possibility
IF ever the peoples party becomes once
more moral power, inspiring tue masses
with hope ana leading them onward 10
remedial legislation. Butlerism ana fusion
will have to be buried beyond resurrection
No party can survive on the Messiah pro-
Eramme of selling troops hrst 10 one anu
then to the other. No decent voter VIII
tolerate such policy in the party leaders
and Office seekers after that poilcy IS I'M
THE people are not seeking a mere
change of office holders They want a
change of laws Fusion stops the growth
of populism and halts the decay OF the
parties with which we fuse. Fusion props
the old parties up while IL scotchcs us. We
are "A minority, and fusion condemns US
to remain So Laws can't be changed IN
der such plan.
Watson claims that he Is still a populst
at heart lie says:
"It is hardly necessary for me TO uetehd
my personal character or my popuilst IN
tciyritv from the attacks of jealous lrim-
n1er like Butler. | was a populist, open ana
above board while he was yet playing
alliance democrat and / have always
been loyal friend and manly Zoe, where
he is Il snake in the grass 10 Doth lrlehu
ana foe"
Watson goes on to say that he predicted
the breakup Of the party when Bulier
Withheld his letter of acceptance. lie says
THAT letter mailed to Butler long before
tho campaign was ended. was my best VIM
dicotfon II pointed out then the bllnlderS
Of Butler and prophesicd the disastrous re-
suits. The events happened just as l pre-
dictcd-'
Watson closes his editorial with this 10
saw OF Buffers trade of the party:
ITO sell out the party by fusions before
II secures enough men in office 10 chahse
tho laws even If they so desired seems
10 ne the widest of folly and the bdsest
of trcachery.'