Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-04-27
DEMOCRATIC ADDRESS.
The Democrats of Kansas Appeal to
the People.

The Democrats of Kansas Appeal "a
the People.
Special Correspondence:
| The Democratic Committee appoint.
ed to confer with a committee from
the Peoples Party with reference to
the campaign of 1898 has issued the
following address, directed to the con-
ference committee of the Peoples
Party:
Topeka, Kan, April 20, 1898.
To the Conference Committee of the Populis,
State Committee:
Gentlemen:-As you are aware, the
undersigned were appointed commit
tee by the Democratic state committee
of Kansas to confer with like COM
mittee from your party with the view
of devising ways and means to con-
tinue in force during the approaching
campaign, the harmonious co-opera-
ton of force which resulted in success
in our state in 1896.
We are personally in hearty accord
with the fusion theory as is the COM
mittee we represent, and as are, we be-
lieve, vast majority of the voters of
our party in this state, and we assume
that not only you, but the state conf
mittee which appointed you, and the
voters whom you represent, are of the
same mind. We have heard no dissent
in your party from the sentiments em-
bodied in the address lately issued to
the Populists of the United States by
your national chairman and by every
member of your party in Congress in
Guiding your Senator and all your
Congressman from this state, and in
which the following language is used:
'"There are but two sides to this por-
tentious conflict. All those of what
ever party who favor the conspiracy
of gold and monopoly, who favored
Individual slavery, wide spread power
ty and national destruction, should be
on one side, and all of those of what
ever party who opposed this deadly de-
sign should be on the other side. On
this side we so1idly stand. The only
hope of the enemy is to divide us.
Therefore, let US be more united and
harmonious than ever, and farther, let
us organize without delay a vigorous
campaign in every state and Congress
sional district, county and precinct,
invoke harmonious cooperation of all
seeking the same end"
We believe that the sentiments quot
ed above, and which pervaded the CO.
operative campaign of 1896, are the
key to the success of that year, each
of the three parties. maintained their
party integrity" and by securing
community of interest, both as to
principles and candidates drew out the
full strength of each party and crown
ed the campaign with success.
The problem before us this year, is,
as we see it, to duplicate the conditions
which contributed to our former sue
cess.
We recognize the fact that if a unit
ed front is presented to the Republican
party in the state this year, that we
will keep the hosts of gold from domi-
mating our public affairs.
In our principles, we still have a
common interest, but if ali the candi-
dates on the state and Congressional
tickets should be of one political party,
we fear that enough of the rank and
file of the other parties would refrain
from their support to seriously, if not
certainly endanger their success.
1t is patent to all, that with only
seven thousand majority in this state,
the Republican party will defeat the
silver forces if harmonious fusion is
not attained.
To our view, the margin between
snccess and defeat on our state, is too
small to justify experiments, and wise
men will not risk defeat when success
can be assured by patriotic and fair
dealing among the allied parties.
Speaking for the Democratic party,
we give it as our best Judgment, that
with fair representation on the state
ticket, every Democratic vote in this
state can be rallied to its support, but
if such representation be not accorded.
our organization will be powerless to
bring to it that active support which
will be necessary to its success.
After a careful canvass of the situa.
ton by this committee, we believe
that Democratic convention can not
be assembled In this state that will
endorse the entire Populist state tick
ct.
In view of these conditions, which
we know to exist in our party, and
which we are frank In stating to You,
We submit to you that the solution of
the problem confronting the allied
forces, is in the hands of your party,
and suggest that your committee and
the committee appointing you, take
this matter mp and suggest to the
voters of your party, that in nomina-
ting state and Congressional candi-
dates this year, such equitable repre-
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