Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1898-02-18
Favors a Union.

The reminder of friend Aiken in last
weeks LEADER carries the impression
Of sincerity and deep earnestness Let
us reason together" Is a second golden
rule; it applies with equal force to
those friendly towards the same object
as we'll as to opponents
We soe and feel the oppression of in
justice so keenly that 1t makes 'us i'm
patient; we forget that the large and
heavy body OF the people moves but
slowly. though when once started it
moves with tremendous force. do
not underestimate the weighty reasons
in Mr. Aikens argument for an alli-
ance of the reform forces and sincere.
ly hope that by wise management such
a measure will be consummated. We
have yet more than two years to the
next national election and in that time
I believe the generals directing the
different columns of reform will be
able to agree upon a term of truce so
they may come together for negotia-
tions upon the best way and means to
unite a solid front I do not believe
that sincere reformer is welded to
any particular party name; the name is
of little consequence, the principle is
the core
Suppose steps be taken to call a ma
tional deliberative convention in which
1<L = nj ho in
vited to participate by proper repre-
sentation, not too large, even the
socialists if they should so feel dispo ed /,
and they ought to entertain such a dis.
position if they are men of real practic
al measures. If such a convention is
imbued with the spirit and an honest
desire to accomplish something, it
would seem that there should be no
great difficulty in coming to an agree
ment upou some (not too many !cardi-
nal points of reform.
As there seeus to be more or less
prejudice among members of one party
towards name and certain measures Of
another party, let old names be dropped
and new name-The American, for
instance-be substituted. With the
fruitage Of previous agitation and edu-
cation now beginning to come to the
surface in more substantial way, it
can hardly fail that sufficient force
would gather under the 'nner un
folded by such an organization and
march to victory in 1900; such victory
would be accomplished under con
diliops that would hold the organiza-
ton in act, and it would possess within
itself the vital power to back up the
victory by legis alton, it would be some
thing lasting that. would have the
ability to march onward to still furth
er victories ,
These essential qualities could not
exist IN mere fusion for the purpose
of carrying a campaign, that campaign
either carried or lost must leave the
different fac ions each one in its sepal-
ate camp aud this Controversy of fusion
to be gone over again at every succeed
ing campaign. The whole matter of
fusion can only end in confusion. We
actually hear soma declare, disgusted
by experience in fusion, that, if that is
going to be the order, they will cast
their lot with socialism. Better have
an organization where these men can
apply their energy to something prac:: !
tical in our present day; the world is
not yet ripe for real radical socialism
AS the matter stands in its present
state of development, the LEADER
Cou pany is now and ever, by unani-
mons vote of its stockholders, pledged
in opposition to fusion, but this does