People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1898-01-21
VOICE FROM THE TRENC
virgil P. Hail, Mayfield, Maine.

come sounds of discord. We are labor
ing under grievous burdens, We are
hoping almost against hope that a
brighter day will come, if not for us,
then for our children. We are praying
with breaking hearts that our good
ship of state, now tossed by the tenn
pest and manned by private crew
may find an honest and capable COM
mander and be preserved from the
reefs and shoals that surround her and
be guided into calmer and safer waters.
All we can do is to use our small infiu-
ence and vote for the principles that
seem to us right. Our voices are not
heard in our party councils We are
not in position to exert, individually,
very much influence in shaping our
party policy. We can think and form
opinions for ourselves, but must look
to our leaders to plan the campaign
and marshal the forces. If they are
united and work for the good of their
country and fellowmen, they can de-
pend upon us to follow unitedly and
with enthusiasm. If, on the other
hand, they seek each to lead faction
of his own and to have his own opin-
ions adopted as the rule of action re-
gardless of the opinion of others, then
We, the rars44s lsll1 file will be hopeless
ly divided and march to certain defeat.
And now, when all good and true
Populists are asking what shall we
do to be saved" there come to us from
our leaders voices of pickering and
dissension. Two of our New England
captains, both of whom we regard as
loyal and true-hearted reformers, are
calling each other hard names in the
public print.
And when we come to think of it,
that is not so strange a thing after all.
To be reformer requires warm blood,
as rule. Your calm, cold man is, usu-
ally, not much of an agitator. Indig-
mites and injustice are less felt by the
phlegmatic nature than by one whose
every nerve is nourished by blood
from heart that feels not only its
own but others woes. But this hot
blood is apt to betray the reformer
into indiscretions at times A real or
fancied lack of appreciation of his eff
forts, on the part of those from whom
he feels that he has the right to expect
it, CRATES harshly upon his spirit, and
he is very likely to use Incorporate
language, He must be very careful to
have the brain exercise due inaueEcs
over the heart, and must remember
that only children call each other
names in moments of passion.
And now in regard to the matter
that caused the controversy between
our respected leaders.
Wharton Bankers name has been
suggested as one proper to be consid-
cred in connection with the next pres
idential nomination of our party. The
reason urged in favor of his nomina-
ton commend themselves to many.
The objection that he is not a Populist
or at best only new conner into the
party seems to me to lack weight.
Like myself and many others, he was
Republican. He fought manfully
for the cause of the common people
until convinced that it was impossible
to bring about the reforms for which
he labored within his own .party.
Then, like the rest Of us, he left it.
The ideas which he represents are
essentially Populism. As l understand
it, he advocates no principle today
that has not been part of his doctrine
for several years. He is no new con-
vert. His nomination would have no
element of fusion about it. Il fused
once, as greenbacker, and learned
lesson. Shan't fuse any more, never,
if know it, It is only question of
policy, whether or not he is the most
available man for the place.
Mr.. Barker is one of the few cool re-
formers. Yet, what he lacks in impet-
uosity, he makes up in force. He is
strong, persistent and consistent. He
certainly has qualities worthy of con-
sideration when we come to name our
standard bearer in the next great bat
tie Tor human rights.
The objection that in nominating
him we must pass by others who have
borne the burden and heat of the day,
appeals to my heart. Those are the
men who deserve to be honored. But
who of our tried and true laborers,
would feel himself honored by leading
our forces to defeat when, perchance,
some one else could have led them to
victory? Ay, there's the rub. who is
the man that can draw after him all
the reform elements, Populists, Liber-
alists, Socialists, Prohibitionists, Single
takers and the different organizations
of whatever name whose aim is the
betterment of the condition of man
kind? And it is only by the union of
all these that we can win our way.
For the solution of this question all
In it's discussion all bitterness and
jealousy must be laid aside. Each
must feel that others, though holding
opinions differing from his own, may
have the good of our cause as near
their hearts as he. Let each present
his plan for the campaign and urge it
with all the strength of his convictions,
but let him be mindful that some one
may possibly have better, And let
there bea Termination to adopt the
better, I'D when adopted, let the
pledge for it's support be tour lives,
our fortunes and our sacred honor.''
Then you can look for us of the
trenches to come forward with shout,
and win a victory that will count for
the uplifting of the human race.
p. p. p. OFFICE MOVED.
The PEOPLES PARTY PAPER Office
has been moved to the new story
marble front building No. 81 South
Broad Street, known as 1.-THE Herald"
building. No. 81 South Broad is near