The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-01-26
But TWO PARTIES NEEDED.

We notice under the above caption a
labored and exhaustive leader in a
metropolitan newspaper, and we take
keen pleasure in prc1ouncing every
thing therein the worst sort Of sophis-
try, not to use stronger term. Where q
monarchial form of government exists
there may with impunity be but two
parties, one which opposes and one
which supports the reigning power; but
where we have a republico- democratic
third party is an absolute necessity il
any degree OF purity or rectitude is to
be maintained among the legislative
Judicial or executive departments Of
our government.
The spokesman is the bane OF repub-
lies In a monarchy, hereditary title or
tremendous ability must be given in e1z-
change for any high position, but with
us, money, venality, capacity for in
trigue-indeed, a most unIovely list OF
machiavellian qualities-commend one
for high station
We find asinine stupidity, ox-li!.e
stolidity or shameless cupidity on tie
wool-sack; brutal effrontery puts its
legs under the legislative desk, and pill
ability, cowardice and greed are en-
throned in the White House. This as
rule, whether we have Democrats or
Republicans at the helm. 1t has FIR
years been necessary for us to have
some external mark by which to dis
tinguish the old party office-holders 1t
has been as embarrassing as twin ba-
bies We have Numbered under mis-
taken identity. And this state of affairs
would not only go on but grow steadily
worse were it not for the third party.
With everything to gain and nothing
to lose the free lances gather under the
banner of a third party. But for this
leaven the whole lump, the spokesman
who cares not a whit whether Demo-
crat or Republican be elected, from
constable to PRESIDENT if his gain De
p''' ooSui Ou, WOuIu pIOC6Su 10 luUClI-
nitely feather his nest with the plumage
of the bespoiled public; but your third
party man objects, dissents, critcises,
ridicules, derides, condemns All Of
which is disseminating to the venal
voter and partisan. Well may the plu-
tocratic press send out long editorials
explaining the uselessness of third par
ties. The wolf never calls for the hunter
to protect the defenseless sheep. TIE
man eating tiger does not call for his
jungle to be cleared away The third
party man. standing as he does between
the people and their despoilers, is an
object of attack.
There has been a great work accomp-
llshed in this country by the thirl
party. Revolutionary patriotism.
know nothingism, squatter sovereignty,
states rights, greenbackism. anti-slav-
cry, the Farmers Alliance, the free sill
yer movement, have all been third party
agitations and no student of our his
tory can bellttle the vast if mutable in
nuehce OF each. The same spirit opposed
to existing wrongs, opposed to what
was false in each of the great parties
has been kept alive by this chain OF
third parties. Such parties hopeless as
to Office and fearless in their utteranc9s,
are the balance wheel Of our republic.
The minority is the teacher who p,ts
thought-provoking questions to the I'm
thinking masses. OF each unit that
goes to make up the mass of the minori-
ty much that is good may be. said. 1t
Is easy to go with the tide, to float, to
be carried along without effort. but onlv
brave swimmer dares breast the o.
posing waves. The man who is an Old
party man simply because his father
and his grandfather before him ,e-
longed to that party, who does not know
or care that the party has changed in