Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-01-29
rHK ouKsrroN or uN1oN.
intelligently Discussed by a Silver Re.
publican

Intelligently Discussed by Silver Re
publican
SALEM. Jan. %.
Ed. JoURNAL:-I see by the proceed.
ings of the meeting OF the state cen
trail committee OF the Peoples party
held In Portland Jan. 10, that the
question Of uniting with other reform
parties was referred back to the peO-
pie with recommendation that dele
gates 10 the state convention and the
various county conventions be in-
structed TO vote for or against union
Now this action seems TO be final as
! far as the Popullsts are concerned and
destroys all prospect OF "UniOn at the
+ primaries. / see no objections what
ever 20 this recommendation in fact,
| j approve the action and think the
committee did wise thing. 1t would
have been serious matter for the
committee TO have undertaken TO
force union upon the people before
an opportunity was had to give an eX-
| preston upon this point. As the
matter now stands, the different par
ties must hold their primaries and
county conventions separately.
The county conventions Of
the several parties can be held on same
date in each county A joint COM
mittee on platform can be appointed
from each Of the parties. This COM
mittee can draft the Union platform
or declaration Of principles. 1 think
under the present condition of affairs
and parties there will he no trouble
for such committee tu draft plat
form acceptable TO all the parties in
interest. The peoples party must not
be asked 10 sacrifice one principle
upon which IL has built its present
strength. The Silver Republicans
will Insist upon their declaration Of
principles which is now before the
public. The Democrats in this state
have not enunciated a set OF prin-
ciples since the Chicago Volcano
cooled off. but | have no fear that
they Will be either reasonable or
headstr rOng. Al must aliZe that
much stronger front will be presented
by uniting upon a single platform,
than TO undertake TO 90 10 battle
under different standards. 10 fact
my own faith is 40 strong on single
platform and so weak on divided plat
forms that | am almost ready TO de-
clare that victory can only be gained
through an effort upon single plat
form All candidates must be pledged
to one set Of ideas and then we work
as on harmonious whole. Union
formed upon this basis has some pros
pect OF being a permanent Union.
And victory gained in this manner
would be an effectiYe victory, as the
whole platform would be binding
upon each and every candidate both
before and after election. Any other
kind OF victory would be victory with
out triumph, victory OF discOrd, a
victory without unity, without bond,
the fruits Of which might be badly
by the chilling frOsts of
party contentious.
What we want first, is, to unite upon
principle. If Chis cannot be done, no
further effort need he made toward
Union. But II our joint committee
succeeds In giving US platform ac-
TO all, then a division Of
Will be matter Of minor
Importance which can be quickly and
easily determined according TO
strength and availability Of candi-
dates.
The same plan can be followed for
the state convention without the sac
ritice Of principle or honor
SomePOpulists have thought that the |
July uOuDIdDlt y ulbll NnlCll COulu DC |
made, had TO commence at the pTimar-
les, by uniting AS partisans under |
the name ("Union Party'' but the |
at Portland evidently |
looked at the matter differently and |
plan which leaves the
matter of Union open until all ques-
lions of principle have been honorably
settled. Nothing fairer could have
Deen proposed as each party seems to
be anxious to retain its autonomy.
Prof. JOTy's idea for showing separate
party strength can be Incorporated
ntO this plan just as well as any
lther plan.
1t Is TO be hoped that outside iniiu-
ence and OtliciOus intermeddling will
DC 'cOunteracted by an application
If sound sense and calm Judgment.
hat the motives for discord and
lis-union will be well understood
md all such efforts dealt with accord
ngly
The "dear blessed Populists" will be
warned against che "wily, avarcious
Democrats on the one side,
md the sturdy, honest old bed
will be taunted for maxi
ny love TO the "hairbrained hayseed-
rs" on the other side. But an eye
ingle TO honesty, economy and good
government will see ia all such effort
death struggle TO retain n long
bused lease OF power. {
Yours truly,
w. r. RIGDoN.
|