The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-30
THAT NEW DEAL.
/. D.

about fusion, cooperation and various
schemes by which all honest and true
reformers may get together
Fusion was so disastrous to the green
back party in 1876 and to the Peoples
party in 1896 and to the cause Of re-
form in both instances that many radical
but honest Populists are Instantly mad
and refuse to reason at the mere sug
gestion of any kind of union of reform
forces.
1t is probable such a disposition or
tendency among Populists has given
us the reputation Of being party of
cranks. Certainly our party can claim
its full share Of radical, aggressive,
original and Independent thinkers and
writer's.
If we stand for true reform there GER
tainly should be, leadership, statesman
ship and genius enough in our own party
to discover some means by which we
may accomplish our purposes. We are
frequently tainted with being a party
with no leaders
Beyond question our party has it's
share of great economic teachers and
pioneer reformers but successful political
leaders often belong to quite a different
species. 1t is one thing to define re-
form and quite another to point out
the exact path by which it may be
reached.
1t Is natural for all reformers to
search for political precedents and at the
present time many are considering In
connection with the present situation the
historic events of 1856 to 1860. It is
easy to see that during that period oc-
Cured successful fusion union or
cooperation Of reform forces. It mat
ters not what we call it, the true re-
formers from several distinct and sepa
rate party organizations got together
and accomplished results. In 1876 and
in 1896 a fusion, cooperation or union
Of reform forces was attempted but
resulted in failure.
~ Cdl CLul SOLApCll loOu VI C1lC ouCCCooA III
with the unsuccessful movements should
disclose the causes of success in the one
instance and failure in the other two in
stances.
The most notable feature in such COM
parison lies in the fact that in 1856 to
1860 the true, earnest and honest re-
formers from all the old parties COM
pletely abandoned all the old parties,
abandoned the old party names, re-
nounced allegiance to all the old party
leaders and machine politicians, the true
patriots of the land got together and
formed new party, put up an entirely
new deal with machines, professional
politicians and corrupt leaders left out.
This new party, with a new platform,
new generals and new courage then
asked the suffrage of nation and got
it. In 1876 and in 1896 fusion was at
tempted under an old party name, old
party leaders, old party machines and
hypocrisy met it's merited reward.
The proposition is too absurd for a
moments consideration that the Demo-
cratic party should expect success by
simply retiring one or two Of it's most
obnoxious ring politicians while
throughout the East and South the same
Democrats remain in Office.
The whole scheme is In striking con-
trast to what occurred and resulted in
success during the period Of 1856 to 1860
PARTYISM is THE CAUSE OF FAIL
URE.
The money power, the millionaires
and heads Of trusts for 20 years have won
every election by ignoring the party
name and looking to substance rather
than shadow They have cared not
whether the president and congressman
were called Democrats or Republicans
SO long as they stood for Wall street
principles. They have recognized no
political party except the party of the
dollar. In the business or commercial
world they have formed pools and trusts
regardless of party looking only to their
individual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. They have
carried these same arrangements for
concerted action into politics by pooling
in the matter of raising campaign funds
and maintaining lobby. Success has
attended their methods. If we must imi-
tate let us initiate success rather than
failure.
We now come to our own case. It Is
easy to name 100 honest, earnest patriot
ic reformers of national prominence.
Every state has such men. They are
found in all parties.
AS rule the greater their honesty,
earnestness and patriotism the weaker
their party ties, the less intense their
partisanship. 1t Is principle that they
are after. They would not accept sue
cess without principle.
Profting then by the precedents Of
success and Of failure and learning the
methods Of the plutes let the nations
great and recognized reform leaders get
together In a new party, a new deal
as in 1850, victory as in 1860.
Call It fusion, cooperation, union of
reform forces or getting together but be
sure and get together. Abandon all old