The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-02-09
WHAT IS POPULISM
A Letter From an Old Soldier and a
True Patriot.


True Patriot.
Editor Representative
POpulism does not teach or hold to
the doctrine that government should
hand cut dollars or divide up the
wealth held by individuals so that all
may be made rich," as is asserted by a
portion of the public press
In proof OF this we defy the afore-
said press to bring forth a single line,
either from Populist text books or Pop
ulist platforms which ever hint, ,,r
so declare. Pupulism does not
teach Or hold to the doc
trines of communism, which de-
mands that all wealth be divided I'D
SO as to bring all men on an equality
as holders of wealth, as has been as
serted over and over again by a part of
the old party press, which cares :.>ss
for truth than party rule; and to the
denial we again challenge such accusers
to show line of Populistic teachings
or platforms.
Populism does not teach the tearing
away of the government established by
the fathers and changing things to suit
themselves" as has been taught by some
Of those who in trying to hold on to
power, and so 1ndustriously circulated
SUCH statements through the paid o1,
subsidized press, and again, we ahal-
lenge them for the proof of such as
sertions.
POpulism does not believe that the
money or circulating medium in bust
ness transactions must depend for its
face value in any degree on its
intrinsic cost or worth, but
that the value of all monies
depend on the confidence, the people
who handle 1T, have in the government,
which uses it, and puts it in circulation.
Populism does not believe that all dol
lars issued by the United States gov
eminent lone with the other" when at
the same time the fiat of law DEGREES that
they are redeemable in gold; but Pop
ulism does believe that all dollars should
be redeemable, the one with the otha-;
or by their redemption In payment Of all
dues and debts by either government or
individuals, and should be full legal
tender. Populism does not believe that
the free and unlimited coinage of sill
yer is the panacea for all the ills the
people are suffering from, but in it's plat
form has laid down such measures CT
reform, which, if adopted and put into
force, will restore prosperity to the peo-
pie, and save them from bondage here
after to monppolies and banking fra
ternities.
Populism teaches that monopolies are
detrimental to free institutions and are
burdensome; and in the name of justice
seeks to have them legislated out Of
existence by restoring all natural rights
to whom they justly belong-the people.
Populism is opposed to alien landlords
owning lands inside the United States
and drawing rents to support those who
NidluI dlIOSld1lC0 10 our government.
American soil should only belong to
American citizens
The sympathy of the Populist party Is
for, and with the working people of thu
country.
There are no millionaries In our ranks
It Is seeking to better the condition Of
the common people. 1t promises relief,
provided it is given opportunity to leg
islate.
Workingmen, it appeals to you to
join in with the band Of reformers who
are working TO free both themselves
and your families from the expressions
forced on you in the past few years,
during which time, greed seems to have
taken possession of both the old parties,
Democratic and Republican, and which,
under the control of the money
changers" have so legislated that you
can scarcely say that you are free
man Or that your soul is your own.
Therefore, drop your prejudices if any
havn haQn formed NV dino m. h 90 II a.