The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-06-23
TRUE POPULISM.

Every state and territory OF the United
States has within i,s borders large num-
bers Of populsts, some reaching even to
a majority; while in every civilized ma
ton on earth they are found in greater or
lesser numbers, organized and morgan
lied. We do not mean that they are al
WAYS known by that name, but they are
men who believe that the true progress
of the world can only be made by put
ting into practical effect the economic
principles Of true pOpulism. The reason
why their growth in numbers is slow is
not because their principles are wrong,
for every one they advocate is already in
practical operation in some civilized
country. and wherever tried is proven to
be beneficial, and instead of disposi
ton to put it aside to go back to old
methods, others are being brought Tor
ward.
There is not one plank OF a people
party platform that has been adopted by
that party in convention since their or
panizatiOn bat which, it inserted alone
in the platform of one oi the other par
ties, would nave been approved by a ma
iority Of the voters OF such party. There
fore it is not the separate ideas
which drive voters from the party, hnt
the collective, the aggregation OF new
principles which if pnt into full force
would 30 revoIntiOnize our present system
OF government that frightens the conser'
vative voter. The fundamental principle
of populism, equal rights for all, with
special privileges for none is objection
able to no honest man, nor is their motto,
1.-The greatest good to the greatest num-
bers;" yet on such foundation rest all the
principles of the peoples party. No
Christian can attack it, no good citizen
deny it's Justice. The abstract principle
conceded to be right, why fear it? As a
matter of fact it is not the fundamental
principle of popniism that delays its
adoption; it is the details-the how it is
to be done Viewed from an ideal stand.
point, the wrongs are numerous, AMI each
wrong is magnitied in importance in pro-
portion to the individual wrongs from
which each viewer has suffered. As a
consequence, in building a platform that
shall declare the principles Of the party,
every wrong to which the whole body
polite is subject must needs be attacked
directly or indirectly, besides pressing for
adoption ideas not understood by the av-
erage voter, and consequently feared.
Every wrong 80 attacked arouses an en-
ergetic opposition from all who either d.
rectly or indirectly gain a vantage by
reason OF such wrong, and as each active
member insists that his individual views
shall find place in tt e platform, the result
is multiplicity OF rlanks and an oppo-
stion when fully organized, as it now is,
difficult to overcome. \ difference of
opinion as to the importance OF any one
particular reform as compared with an
other, should drive no reformer from the
ranks, nor could it if he was thoroughly
imbued with It's spirit. All parties or
factions now in opposition to the republ
can party are by such divisions indirectly
aiding that party, and thus preventing
the contamination of the very reforms
they advocate. popuists, having left
the old parties with which they had here
tofore affiliated, because they became
discouraged of securing reform through
sdch old parties, naturally sre,t ard
should be, Jealous workers. BY the act
of leaving his old party he has proclaimed
that he holds principle above party, and
that party name has no attraction and
party lash no terrors for him. lie is fear
less, earnest and untirng in .hisswork
knowing he is right, instead OF being
appalled, by the magnitude of his under
taking, defeat does not discourage, but
only stimulates to increased exertion.
The ever moving panorama ofscurel I
events will push a certain Issue to the
front this year and another next,!but
whatever il is, if it is in the interest Of
reform and conforms TO the fundamental
principle OF populism, no true populi st
will ekulk in his tent, or give aid and
comfort to the enemy by boiling his party
and thus withdraw his help and intluen' e
from those who would aid him.
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