The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-08-10
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
No man regrets the present condition
of political affairs in this state more
than we do.
We did not believe even in co-opera-
ton, but we were willing that there
should be temporary union of citizens
to elect a state ticket, provided we were
not compelled to destroy the Peoples
party or assume the badge of any other
party. But the Democrats were not
ready to lay aside their name, even for
a few months, in order to redeem the
state. They were determined that if
there was to be victory it must be
Democratic victory, and one that would
strengthen the Democratic party in 1900.
Their eyes were steadily fixed on that
object But that was not our object.
Therefore our mediation was rejected.
Our opponents were seized with mid
summer madness. The heat of the sun
seemed to inflame their brains. They
thought that in opposing fusion we spoke
but for ourself. They see now, by the
events in Minneapolis and elsewhere,
that we merely voiced the feelings of
nine-tenths of the Populists of the state.
They thought that if they could pack
the state convention of June Is they
would capture the souls and consciences
and votes of the Populists Of Mime
sofa. They now realize their mistake.
Desperately greedy for Office them,
selves, they fell into the error of sup.
posing that all the people of Minnesota
wanted offices, and would sacrifice the
principles of all parties to obtain them.
They did not realize that the great bulk
of mankind have no expectation of or
aspiration for Office, but are guided by
their beliefs, their sentiments--in other
words, their principles.
1t was in this way the Republican
party rose, on the tidal wave OF oppos1-
ton to slavery, until it swept the coun-
try and placed Mr.. Lincoln in the White
House.
If Mr.. Lincoln in 1860 had commenced
to trade and dicker with the Know
nothings or the remnant of the old Wing
party, for petty places, the Republican
party would have died in the pangs Of
childbirth --, ...-.. ..... FL, .4.t-. :.
The Republican party of 1860 was
made up, principally, Of patriots and
enthusiasts They had no desire for Of
fice they were not politicians and wire
pullers. They filed the whole nation
with the clamor Of discussion about
slavery. They appealed to the hearts of
men, to their higher natures. They
were an entirely different breed of crea-
lures from the Buffers, Owens, Staceys
and Bowlers of this generation. If any
such men as these had then suggested
that the real issue was not the liberation
of all men, but the obtaining of a fair
divide of the spoils of Office, he would
have been hooted from the rostrum, if
he was not suspended to the nearest
tree:
| In 1892 there was the same divine en-
thusiasm for justice and liberty, not
alone for black men but for white men
! for all men. In 1896 all this was changed.
The politicians, the spoilsmen, the camp
| followers, the tricksters, took possession
of our party and abased it before the
world.
In 1898 we must plant our feet once
| more on the Omaha platform and 90
forth to battle with the same sincerity
of devotion to right. If the Offices can
follow the triumph of our principles,
well and good. But do not forget the
principles in wild and dirty struggle
for the offices. That is to invert the
pyramid. l. D.