The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-04-19

palms Of q few Populist Office seekers
makes fusion -'honorablef' I realiza
that this question is entirely ''irrele-
want" and that you have the proteCs
ton guaranteed by the Constitution,
that you cannot be compelled to testify
against yourselves. Will some striped
Populist Of the Democratic persuasion
tell why the ohceholders have charge
of the Populist party9 And Why near
ly all the f~usionists are cmceholders or
want to BET Why is it that nearly
every prominent fusionist who hasn't
an Office already is getting in position
TO be the silver candidate for some
thing and is expecting the Democrats,
as well as the Populists to unite" on
hint Looks like the Cf1ces have some
thing to do with the fusion sentiment.
doesn't it,
Why is it that every Populist in Con-
gress who was elected by fusion with
the Democrats, and who wants to be-
re electedin the same manner, signed
Buffers fusion addressG And why isit
that every Populist in Congress who
got there by Populist votes alone,
stands squarely on the platform and
refused to sign that address or to have
any thing to do with fusionG Looks
like the love of office has something to
do with the fusion sentiment, does is
not2
Why is it that fusion sprouts and
fourishes alone in the craniums of the
party bosses, o~ficeholders and office
seekersl and why is it that while the
farmers and laborers Of the Populfst
faith who expect no of1ce are nourish-
ing Populism and looking forward to
its triumph, the party boss and the
politicians fondle and nourish the
weeping willow of fusion like the hoW-
ers in their Chce windows, and look
forward to the time when it shall be :
t~ransplanted in the urn of Populism,
and bear fruit ~(ofices) in abundance
for themselvesG Looks like the love OF
Office has something to do with the
fusion sentiment, doesn't it3
Why is it that while the National
Reform Press Association condemns
fusion, the politicians favor it9 The
reform press educated the people on
the living issues and taught them to be
Populists. It has been, and is now, the
guardian, the life itself of Populism. It
has fought it's battles and held the fort
against the onslaught Of the enemy.
While the politician has foated round
in the Populist movement, ever ready
with some plausible scheme or plan OF
action, the whole and logical result Of
which, land him into some office and
leaves Populist principles out in the
cold. Fusion lands the fusion politicians
into office. Looks like the base love Of
Office has something to do with the
fusion sentiment, doesn't it,
Why is it that a certain fusionist in
Raleigh who, from his vaporings, we
presume to be the mouthpiece of the
boss, is happy as a duck in a mud hole
when he a get himself interviewed,
and air his views on fusion in a certain
Democratic paper Of that city9 This
fusionist unbosoDas himself in this man
ner: Fusion cannot be honestly and
sincerely confined to a duration of one
campaign or one year." IAN actual
and practical co operation of two diff
ferent forces goes beyond an agree
ment on essentials in platforms" Yes,
it goes to the Offices, I suppose, eh9
I'VE, the Populists, will not inter
fere, but will pledge our best efortsxto
secure the election of your nominees.
But this shall be accompanied by an
agreement on the part of the other
party Ohe Democratic parity that they
shall not interfere with the nominees
of Populists for such Offices as NAV be
held by Populists in 1900
TT would be a policy on the part Of
the PopulistS that would oblige them
TO help another party achieve some
thing they do not nov have. and at the
same time would put the Populists In
the attitude Of simply demanding q re-
tention OF what they o possess, and
nothing more"
That's the doctrine of the fusionists.
WhV does this f~ueionist want fusion
to hold good till 1909 His term Of
cfhee expires then. Why does he want
the Democrats not to interfere with
such Offices as the Popuiists may hold
in 1909 He himself will held an Office
at that time.
Why does he want the Populists to
retain what cm2es they now hRve9 He
holds an Office and wants to keep i'd.
Under such circumstances the fusion
sentiment is as natural as falling Cna
log. Fusion sends chameleon polIti.
cians-fusionists to Office, and Popu-
lism to the rear. Looks like the love
of of1ce is the father Of the fusion SEN
timent, doesn't ito