The representative., 1898-05-04

the author and the defender of the Oma-
ha platform? Shall we desecrate the
sacred name of Populist by applying it to
that man or men who would place the IL
herent right of the people to self govern
ment, to make their own laws, under
proper constitutional safe guards?'
Does not every Populist know that this
expression under proper constitutional
safeguards" is a disgraceful straddle,
born of the idea that aristocrats are more
to be trusted than plebians, politicians,
more honest and patriotic than their con-
stituents, representatives, more faithful
than their principals and lobbies, cunning
and wealth less dangerous to liberty than
the will of majorities. Populists be-
lieve in the principles of the imperative
mandate, they believe in impeachment
for cause, they believe in self government
and the means and only system whereby
we may get self government. If direct
legislation is good in municipalities aud
states to prevent small jobs it is good in
the national congress to prevent the most
gigantic jobbery. And here at st. Louis
we find Mr.. Donnelly's retirement from
the platform committee followed by such
trimming, such mutilation, such strad-
ding, such madness. Can we wonder
that at this point Mr.. Donnelly began to
see method in this madness, began to
look for designer in this peculiar handi-
work? When a few hours later Indiana
and a large section of the South wanted
to tender to Mr.. Donnelly the presidential
nomination and the Minnesota delegation
alone turned away it's face, can we Won
der that in Mr.. Donnelly's mind reli-
ance upon friendship and a belief in fa-
tality should give way to belief in de-
sign and that design one of dark and ma
lignant hue? Yes, we all deprecate war
in our own ranks but if war must come
most Populists will sooner or later SIDE
with the fighter who makes the war
open and above board, aggressive, hot
and decisive and for principle rather
than with the fighter who lays mines be-
meath a convention, explodes torpedoes
beneath our platform and bushwhacks
our political character.
In the coming convention as Mr.. Boen
suggests opportunity will present it.
self to fittingly reward the faithful. 1t is
| proper that Populists should consider
| we'll who have been and who are now
faithful not 4 faithful Democrats, not
| faithful Bryanites but faithful Populists
In 1894 when Mr. Owen was candidate
for governor Mr. Donnelly was asking for
no office but prominent members of
the party mindful of his past services
and moved by the same spirit that actu-
ates Mr.. Boenf suggested that since he had
in 1892 run 10000 votes ahead of Gen. Jas.
B. Weaver, it. would strengthen our par
ty, unite our forces, eliminate factions
and be in the line of the referendum 10
have the state convention indorse Mr..
the convention June Is, two most impor-
tant matters sh6.lM be brought to the
front both Of which are of paramount i'm
portance to our party and neither of
which is mentioned in Mr.. Gibbs call.
The party should at this convention do
some pruning, some trimming, not Of its
platform but of men in high places who
seem unwilling to stand upon it. We
should see to it that the Minnesota men,
bers of the national committee are Pop
ulists and that they are not, in violation
of our law, OFFICE HOLDERS OR
CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE. This
is the most important duty OF
our June convention. The con-
vention should then solidify and harmon
ize the party by indorsing for the
United States senate one of the pioneers
of reform and founders of the party who
believes that Simon Pure Populism needs
no other constitutional safeguard" than
the frequently expressed will of majori-
ties. Such Endorsement would perhaps
prove but an empty compliment but It
would prove that the Populists of Mime
sofa indOrse rather than snub merit. Such
action whether effective or not would do
partial justice where justice is due. Mr..
Donnelly has always been too proud to
ask for votes, too true a Populist to seek
the office but in spirit If not in fact our
convention could pay most fitting trib-
ute, honor the state, honor the party and
honor the cause by indorsing for the po-
litical opponent of G.. K. Davis the author
Of the Omaha platform. e. A. T.