Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1898-03-04
w. 8. NUMBER 50.
!. E. Hotter on Fusion.

the serpent really had it's seat; it ap-
pears from the last issue of the LEADER
ttA4 J. Bryan himself is the soul of
the n cement. 1t may be we'll enough
to have all factions represented in the
Congress of 1893, for Congress is really
the place where ideas and matters
should be weighed and sifted and the
best stored mp for use. Still, this, we
have learned, holds good only in theory;
in practice we find a different pro.
cedure.
As Mr.. Bryan states, the question
arises. should the Democrats the Popu-
lists and the Silver Republicans act
together in 1898 as they did act together
in 1896. TO this he answers without
hesitation, Yes, and proceeds
''Those who answer No must assume
the bu,d Of proving, first, that CO.
operation ESQ he terms it) was unwise
in 1895 Or second, that conditions have
so changed as to make unwise now
what was wise then
hsion lit does not deserve the
nam boperation) is always wrong and
was .snwlse in 1895 is shown, not so
much by the defeat of the fusing par
ties as bv the confusion and dissatis
faction created within each party; not
even so much on the points where they
were defeated as on points where they
were victorious because the victories
could not have been utilized by reason
of disharmony and failure on the part
OF the different factions to act together
and crystalline the victory. The fusion
trap was rather sprung on the people in
1896 without deliberate meditation,
many accepted the unavoidable reluc-
tantly and swear now they will not
join in three cornered fight again,
many refused to take a hand in it at all,
Fusion was unwise in 1896, the un
viz kn then pursued has caused erup-
t& Dat will take far greater wisdom
to bridge over in 1898; the farther we
proceed on the unwisdom of 1896 the
grearer will be our difficulty to turn
onto the right track again Mr.. Bryan
also ought to learn something by ex
perience He may be an able leader.
but many an able leader before has
failed to harmon 70 incongruent, mote
ly minded factions. If by process of
fusion Mr.. Bryan should be elected
president in 1900, to be consistent at
all, he must make up his cabinet from
the Democrats, the Populists and the
Silver Republicans, and the probability
is he may have cabinet that will be
fully so refractory to handle as the
ministry of William III in 1850, when
that reformer tried to harmonize the
Tories and the Wings of England.
William III, Prince of Orange, was as
able and virtuous leader as history
records, but to make Tories and Wings
work together as ministers of state he
could not do, he could not make head
ways in the administration at all till he
chose his ministers from one party, and
te chose from the Wings.
Well recollect statement made in
. spl lch by A. G. Mellette in tho first
Republican state convention at Huron
in 1889 He said Democrat is as good,
agreeable and intelligent fellow citi-
zen as any gentleman he ever met, but
when you attach Democrat to his
party be is as refractory to handle as a
balky mule and as blind as bat in
sunshine Not that q Democrat is
worse or better than any other man,
but in political matters You can not
treat with him in any other party than
his own
This seems to be characteristic of q
great many men; take our own Nash
Who is not Democrat Mr.. Nash as a
citizen and neighbor is a gentleman
who is courteous. agreeable. sociable
and honest even to self sacrifice to up,
hold his dignity; but you attach him to
his party and let him confront another
narty, he is liar, a libeler, defama
tory, insinuator Of foul motives in
honest intentions and an underminer of
good morals
Yon will excuse me Mr. Nash, if you
ha,un, for thus telling the truth, but if
a\thI Improbable should happen that
ld survive you and write your
SIssy will forget all your faults and
remember your virtues.
The above mentioned sins are char
acteristics of the whole fraternity OF
newspaper editors. These men are con-
t;nualIy sowing the seed of falsehood
and corruption in the public mind, and
nv incessantly cultivating their field
ara undermining the public morals.
You better quit proceeding on that
line. gentlemen, you cannot atone in
tho last hour, that fad is an illusion,
your responsibility to man is great, the
reminder that you have helped to de
Grade and demoralize mankind will
sh,np.t you into eternity. But l am
Y tessing.
,ir. Bryan's illustration that We may
HHU