Natchitoches populist., 1898-04-29

tinct and separate political organiza-
lions, there are times when this Coop
GRAFTON Is both wise and necessary.
In the campaign Of 1896 the Demo
Gratis, Populists and Silver Republicans
united in demanding the immediate
restoration Of independent bimetallism
Rt the existing ratio of is to /, and
they agreed in declaring that the
money question was OF paramount i'm
portance at that time.
The question now arises, should
these three political organizations act
together In the congressional cam
paign Of 1888.
answer without hesitation, Yes.
Those who answer No must assume
the burden Of proving first, that CO.
operation was unwise in 1896, or sec
cnd, that conditions have SO changed
as to make unwise now what was wise
then. The defeat that befell the allied
forces does not prove cooperation at
that time to have been unwise, unless
It can be shown that some one party
would have been more successful than
the three combined.
Cooperation does not contemplate
the abandonment of party organization
or the surrender Of any political prin-
cIDles; nor is cooperation defended on
the ground that the platforms of the
three parties are Identical. Cam
paigns generally turn upon few is
sues, sometimes upon one, and events
do much to determine which issue shall
most absorb public attention.
If the Democrats. Populists and sill
YER Republicans were agreed upon
bnt one question, that question might
be important enough to Justify CO.
operation although the parties differed
On all other subjects; but those who
advocate the union Of the principal
reform forces against the common
enenys can point not to one, but to a
number Of reforms which are demand
ed with equal emphasis by Democrats,
FOpulists and Silver Republicans.
First They are unalterably opposed
70 gold qonometallism.
Second. They demand the immediate
restoration Of bimetallism at the pres
ent ratio by the independent action OF
this country.
Third. They oppose the retirement
Of the greenhacks.
Fourth. They oppose the issue Of pa
per money BIZ national banks.
Fifth. They oppose the issue Of in
terest-beaFing bonds in time Of peace.
Sixth. They favor the income tax as
means Of raising part Of the reve-
nue. necessary to administer the fed
eral government
Seventh. They favor the abolition Of
trusts.
Eighth. They are opposed to govern
ment by injunction.
Ninth. They are In favor Of arbitra-
tion as means Of settling disputes BET
tween labor and capital.
Here are nine Issues which are net
only important in themselves, but are
now prominently before the people.
Ate not these reforms worth securing?
These questions were submitted to the
people at the last election, but they.
we're not settled, and will not be set-
lied until they are settled right
The Republican party Is trying to
commit the country more thoroughly
to the gold standard. Even now it is
endeayoring to secure Legislative in
doFsement Of the policy Of paying ali
coin obligations In gold. 1t pretends
to be much concerned about natiopal
honor ana the public credit The lead
ers Of the party know that the debtor,
whether public debtor or a private
debtor, meets all the requirements Ot
the law, moral as well as statutory,
when he discharges his obligation ac-.
eording to the terms Of the contract.
They know that all through the war
the government. and private debtors.
ea well paid coin obligations Id gold,
although gold was worth three cents
on the dollar Iess than silver And
yet these leaders would accuse Abra-
ham Lincoln oE dishonos rather than
incur the diaplaasure 0il ths Wall street
magnates who now control the fnan-
eial policy og the Republican party.
These leaders know that il the
federal government declares It's pur-
pose to pay alT coin obligations IN
gold. It's example will be used as an
argument to force gold contracts upon
sete and municipal governments, and
apon private citizens Thess leaders
know that II their scheme Is carried
suit the very existence Of these gold
obligations win be urged as q reason
why biEaetallism should not be re-
stored
the Republicans obtain control Of
inc senate and house 10 the elections
~ 1893 there iIs 40 doubt that theyl
lll By law, surrender che contract
rlghs which the government now has.
u osy coin Obligations In silver lof
,e,ich We are large producers). and 70
b,na the nation to pay 81 gold ian apS
brelefing metal the production Of
bleb is largely controlled by Eng
land
liesn party Viii, Il It OBJ