The representative., 1898-05-25
Stand to Your Guns.

Stand to Your Guns.
Editor Representative: Last winter I
asked Populist friend, who Is a we'll
known advanced advocate of co-opera-
tion with Democrats and silver Repub-
llcans, whether he could cite me one
single instance where the people had
obtained reform, or relief, or a tighten
ing Of their burdens from the "New
Democracy" wherever they were success
ful through the help of our votes, and he
answered: "No! 1 cannot cite you an
instance, although there may be SUCH"
Another fact l wish to submit for con-
sideration.
When Hon. VIM. R. Mahood, Populist
representative to the last legislature
from LIE Sueur county, returned from
the session, he remarked to me: ct is
OF no use to expect any reform from
the Democrats, because in every in
stance when a reform measure came be-
fore the house in the interest of the
people, the Democrats voted solid
against it and in favor Of the corpora
.tions'
The Peoples party was organized for
reform, and God grant that we may not
falter in our purpose, for the considera-
ton of personal gain and spoils. Let
no Populist be deceived. The bubble of
insincerity has been punctured and the
true inwardness of the shallow pretences
of friendship has been exposed to view.
There is nothing but worm wood and
gall in the heart Of the Democracy lead
ers toward all Populists.
If we can be worked for our votes.
they like us, il not, we are despised; be-
cause Of the uncertainty of electing their
ticket when we stand alone. The cloven
hoof OF the leaders of Democracy was
never more clearly manifested than in
the late elections, and we must exhort
every Populist, and all men of all par
ties who can rise above party, and who
exhibited in politics as we'll as business,
desire to see fair play and sincerity,
to remain true to the fundamental prin-
ciples of good government. Today there
is Tory oligarchy in full control in
Minnesota, that is against any Industrial
revolt against crying abuses of govern
ment, that is supported and kept in pow
er mainly by a high-salaried office hold
ing aristocracy who care but little for
political party lines.
The reformers, whether in church or
state, doom themselves to persecution,
to toll, to poverty, to envy, hatred and
malice. 1t is SO easy to conform. it is
so hard to rebel.
Our only hope as a reform movement
lies in the stern integrity of our purpose
to cloak no crime, condone no breach OF
faith, collude with no double-dealers.
If Populism is to be living letter any
more, Office getting must not be the
prime purpose held in view. We must
keep faith with the people; we must
carry out our public contracts and pro-
visions and give the people an oppor-
tunity to tighten their burdens by a SOL
emn pledge to reduce all public salaries
and taxation, and must hold our repre-
sentatives responsible to that pledge
without fear or favor or affection.
AS everyone has read about the brave
"1O3" of Texas, who, like a Spartan
band, stood for true Populism at st.
Louis. The following poem, expressive
Of the courage, determination and loyalty,
should interest Minnesota Populists and
nerve them for a better performance of
duty:
Don't retreat! Don't retreat!
Stand bravely to your guns,
The Pop Is not Pop at all,
Who shoots, retreats, and runs;
The old man is the peoples friend.
Stands brave, defiant, true,
And does with main, and does with
might,
Whate'er it's right to do
Don't retreat! Don't retreat!
Your duty says, advance,
And relieve the common masses,
While yet there is a chance;
For IL the people should delay,
The time is near at hand,
When combines, plutocrats and rogues
Will surely rule the land.
Don't retreat! Don't retreat! 3 =