davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
HOW 1T WORKED FOR FUSION
JUST THAT ONCE" INTEREST
By George Hall,

got all the fusion 1 wanted two
years ago. At first l fought it, but fin
ally turned in and worked for the COM
bination, "just for once as the fusion
lists told me. But l will not be caught
in the same boat again. l will tell you
what was gained in our township two
years ago by fusion. Two-thirds of the
voters were Peoples Party men. We
had been running everything we want
ed. But after the fusion deal things
changed and at election we got one
third of the votes. SO YOU SEE FUS-
ION KILLED US. I knew what was
coming. I was appointed to raise mon
ey for campaign funds The majority
told me they would give nothing. They
cratic campaign. Then I appealed to
! the Democrats and they told me it was
of no use That they would be beaten,
and WE'RE GOING TO VOTE THE RE-
PUBLICAN TICKET. And THE RE-
PUBLICANs SENT SOME OF OUR
LIFELONG DEMOCRATS AS DELE
GATES TO THE REPUBLICAN CON-
VENTION. So you see what fix we
are in. But I am glad to say there are
quite a few that will reorganize the
Peoples Party. They will be better
men as this experience has made them
wiser men.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
DIR. JOHNSON NOMINATED.
By T. T. Julseth.

A man that don't want to be called a
Populist must not know enough or else
be trickster. Fill the state ticket with
pure cut Populists only. I nomiaate
DR.. Christian Johnson, of Willmar, can
didate for governor. AS to the clergy
for office they are power and mighty
one at that, but priestcraft always stood
in with the aristocracy and class rule.
Plutocracy now seeks assistance from
that class Of men. That class is rot
the proper class to reform the world.
AS a real fact the priest-craft never
educated men for this world, and for tie
next they were and are poor instructors.
But If there was minister of the gospel
to find, who is thoroughly saturated
with the Peoples Party principles it
would be a fine thing He could do
more than four others together.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
HOW TO GET BACK WHAT WE
LOST IN 1896.
BY r c. Muir

I believe more in principle than in
party. The views as expressed in The
Representative regarding the duty a
Populists coincide exactly with mine.
Most Of the Populists around here were
Republicans once and in SO most of
them jumped back into their old seats.
So I don't know Of anything left except
to rally them again under the People,
Party name, which alone offers equal
rights to all and special privileges to
none. Sound every candidate and put
only sound timber on the state ticket
like Hon. Ignatius Donnelly or Mr..
Melicke, of Cottonwood county. Cast
my vote for keeping the Peoples Party
alive.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
GIVE US A POPULIST FOR
GOVERNOR.
GIVE
By j. Doran.


AS to political reform the PecnIe's
Party in this struggle stands to main
tain freedom, which is now bartered
away by the black VOLTS and the gray
wolf, or in other words the Democratic
and the Republican parties And as T
have watched every movement of these
wolves since Old Peter Cooper was nom
mated on the old Greenback ticket as
the candidate for president of that party
| have to say that it was a Democratic
fusion that destroyed the old Greenback
party. And l see the same old tactics
used over and over in our Populist par
ty, under the name of Democratic fusion.
Now the rank and file of both the old
parties are all right and ready to CO.
operate with the Peoples Party when
they see that our party will neither ba
sold out or fuse with either of the above
mentioned wolves. For this reason we
will have nothing to do with any such
men as John Lind or any other free
silver advocate. l want to nominate
a man for governor that has been true
and tried and that has borne the battles
all these years and show that we mid
le-of-the-roaders are not ungrateful to
our old true and tried friends And for
those reasons my choice as our candi-
date for governor Of Minnesota above
all others is openly and above board
Ignatius Donnelly.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CO.
ING TO DAKOTA.
By Anton Johnson,

By Anton Johnson.
l am not willing, so far as 1 can pre-
vent it, to let the Peoples Party die.
The Omaha platform reads to me as
second Declaration of Independence.
1t embodies all the reforms we can hope
to get in this country. I see no reason
why we should throw it away and adopt
something which at this 18th hour OF
the 10th century advocates platform, of
ANYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF AN
OFFICE" We are too poor here, de-
pending upon the railroads for our ex-
istence, to attend the convention, but
We can and will vote If you put up a
true Peoples Party ticket. Get a
divorce from the Democratic party, and
I think the divorce can be obtained
without going to Dakota, and then we
will do our best this fall for the prin-
ciples of eternal justice as set forth in
the Omaha platform.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
BOWLER AND GIBBS! HOW DO YOU
LIKE THIS?
By Joseph Schneider.


Fusion l am afraid has about killed
the Peoples Party as I can locate only
about dozen true men near me. The
rest have become distrustful and dis
gusted. 1t is no use to keep on yelling
to them about a New Democracy"
They were Republicans once and know
how little trust can be put in the con-
vention and promises, yes, and votes of
the Democratic party before election
when it is out Of power. But what will
call such men into action again is the
national convention to take place on the
4th of July to show the public that the
Peoples Party cannot die. The fusion
lists are fighting their Waterloo. They
tell us the Peoples Party will die a
lingering death like the Prohibition
party. There is no comparison. The
Prohibition party tried to grow on a
narrow, unpopular, uneconomic plank
The Prohibition party tells man how
he must spend dollar. Our party tells
man how he can earn dollar. Our
party embraces in it's Omaha platform
all the reform principles we can hope
In this generation to obtain. Our party
is the logical party and its principles are
What more does Cur party need? It
needs sensible, true men to run it, who
are patriots, reformers, lovers of the
people and not Bowlers and Gibbs and
selfish politicians. I believe the folly
of the Greenback party's death will not
be repeated In 1900. What is the mat
ter with such of our own leaders as DR..
Christian, of Willmar, a capable and
strong Populist, or Ignatius Donnelly,
L. G. Long, H. V. Poore, H. A. Swain, P.
]. Seberger, ]. r. Lowe, Erik Olson, and
dozens and dozens of others? Do the
old parties have any monopoly of the
only material fit for making governors?
This constant talk about Lind and men
like him, who are more like wolves in
sleeps clothing than true shepards of
the flock, who are politicians, pure and
simple, and not Populists, pure and sim
pie, makes me sea-sick. Have sense
men at the convention. If your only
object is to get Office go into the Re-
publican party bodily. See how the
impracticable Socialist party is forging
ahead against every obstacle by mind
ing it's own business. Do thou likewise
and you will gain hundreds where they
gain one.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
CHARCOAL WANTED TO PURIFY
F'USIONISTS.
By J. J. kehoe.

by }. j. kehOe.
l am In favor of straight POpulist
ticket. If the fusionists pack the con-
vention then let the mid-roaders or
ganize and give us a clean straight
ticket. The Democratic party is rotten
and the stencil fills the land Elevat-
ing it to power by the aid of Popuiist
votes will not remove it's putridity.
We are more apt to become effected our
selves through contact with such a
party. INSTEAD OF FUSING AGAIN
WE SHOULD GO AND BURY OUR
SELVES IN CHARCOAL FOR A
WHILE TO REMOVE THE STENCIL
OF 1896. A Populist in principle a
Populist at heart. These terms have
become nauseating to me. A man who
is Populist at heart and ashamed to
bear the name-any man who is either
afraid or ashamed to stand on the
Populist on himsef-IS NOT TO BE
TRUSTED. I have no use for the good
lord and good devil sort of chap.
It ought to be good thing for our
ticket could we get on it some good
Scandinavian clergyman. To my way
of thinking, good ones are very scarce.
THE CLERGYMEN ARE IN ABOUT
THE SAME FIX AS THE COUNTRY
EDITORS AND PETTIFOGGING Law
YERS. The profession is overrun with
them and the picking is mighty poor.
THIS LEAVES THEM VERY OPEN TO
TEMPTATIONS WHEN THE BARL
IS OPEN.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
BRAVERY CONSISTENCY.
BY Duncan Hadley.

If the Peoples Party fuses Cooper
ates) with the Democrats 1 for one will
walk out. I am believer in the Peo-
ples Party and the Omaha platform. 1
have seen that we can get no reform
from the old parties, and if at the con-
vention they conclude to repeat the
suicidal policy of go think the Peoples
Party ought to hold another convention
and nominate straight ticket. 1 wish
to do all l can for the success of the
Peoples Party. And will be true to the
last
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
READ EVERY WORD OF THIS.


ANY ONE WHO IS ASHAMED OR
AFRAID TO COME OUT AS A
STRAIGHT AND SOLID POPULIST
LET HIM KEEP AWAY. WATCH
HIM THAT MAN IS NOT
THINKING OF THE WELFARE OF
POOR HUMANITY. HE is SCHEM-
ING FOR AN OFFICE. A few years
more will bring, however, majority Of
the people out all right. That is the
working class and the small and mid
dle-class farmers will yet unite and
crush their oppressors. But the more
ignorant can never learn until they
A few ten-dollar bills, brass-bands and
torch light professions will work won
ders in America. There are thousands
of people in Minnesota that have no
idea that in the Pennsylvania coal
regions there are mothers picking DO
tato peelings from the rich mans back
alleys to keep their children from
starvation. Yes, l know it, for l came
~ Jill lAS1S, CfCL Ii OIu W1SIC LuSy WaVCu
torches and shouted themselves hoarse
for Mckinley and prosperity. Mime
sotians have no idea of the thousands in
the great factory districts in the East,
who strike, crying that they might as
we'll die idle as to be starved working.
Aye! I'D that too where they rolled
up such an awful vote for Mckinley,
good money and prosperity. Why do
the people not know how their brothers
suffer? Because they read such papers
as the Pioneer Press or elk River
Star-News." Such papers tell them that
every factory is booming. The only
education they have is what the mercin-
ary newspapers give them. If we are
going to elect men to help the peoples
who as yet do not know enough to help
themselves, by what shall we judge in
the selection Of candidates? Shall we
judge by what in eloquent words they
tell us they will do If elected? To
certain extent yes, but mostly by what
they have done in the past. Look at
Mckinley, years ago in Omaha declar-
ing to the people that free coinage was
what we wanted, and then turning
his back upon it after election. But I
challenge any man to point his finger
to single bill, measure or act Of any
kind in the whole life of Ignatius Don
nelly but what has been against wealthy
rings, combines, millionaires, bankers,
ETC., and an effort to ameliorate the
conditions Of the poor and middle
classes. Then to see poor men as 1 did
one cold November day in the face of
winter storm, whose children were
without shoes. deriding Donnelly and
shouting for Mckinley, good money and
prosperity! AS I said above what can
you do with such fools?
Send me the name Of some real estate
man. have q farm want to sell on
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
FUSION UNDER BRYAN DEFEATED
THE PEOPLE.
BY G.. e. Dyksterhuis.

BY G. 3. Dyksterhuis.
Had it not been for fusion in the last
campaign the people would have been
more successful than they were under
In6 people. Purpose to work to the
best Of my ability If mid-road ticket
is put up. ANY MAN THAT IS
ASHAMED and not ready TO TAKE
THE NAME OF THE PARTY, WHOSE
CAUSE HE IS EXPECTED TO PRO-
NOTE, is NOT A FIT STANDARD
BEARER. HE IS DOUBLE HEARTED
AND OUGHT NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08

real easy terms. I want to sell it before
the next presidential election. For in
fear the Republicans will then win if
this fusion tomfoolery lasts longer I
want to get my accounts cleared up.
For while these political tricksters are
working for offices under fusion I say
God have mercy on the poor man that
is in debt.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
WHO IS ON THE LORDS SIDE?

by tTeu ElWol.
Many who voted the Populist ticket
have lost confidence in the party Lead
ers, because they cannot find out where
such leaders stand. This attempt TO
force fusion will react against the fus-
ionists because it will lead mid-roaders
to declare themselves. I favor standing
by the Peoples Party and the Omaha
platform. 1t is necessary to restore the
confidence, which has been lost in the
Peoples Party by dishonest leaders.
How can this be done? By restoring
the power to the people (as by SWANS
referendum plan).
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
JOHN LIND FAR FROM FILLING
THE BILL.
By John ROStbere.

By John Rostberg.
Our enemies are doing all they can
to kill the Peoples Party. 1 do not
think they will succeed. Nothing can
kill the Peoples Party except the mem.
bers Of that party themselves. They
alone are liable to kill their own party;
AS to John Lind, l will say that he does
not stand on the same ground with
Populists except on the silver question
(and his congressional record is against
even that. For my part I do not con-
slider the silver question Of the greatest
Importance We will only get by sill
yer one king more. l am sorry if the
Peoples Party has no person in its own
ranks able to run to fill Office. 1 hope
an honest man, however, will be found
out Of our own ranks able to fill the of.
flee of governor. 1t is no use to launch
our Peoples Party vessel before we get
a commander aboard whom we can
trust.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
OFFERS MONEY (NOT JIM HILL's)
TO MID-ROADERS.

BV Pat koVo0oush.
Put me down for a contribution in
money, provided a straight Peoples
Party campaign is begun. I do not
want, however, any HALF-WAY-SIL-
VER-REPUBLICANs Or DEMOCRAT
TO- COOPERATIVE FUSION POPU.
LIST. But want to see genuine Popu-
lists nominated like Hon. p. H. Rahilly,
H. V. Poore, P. J. Seberger, L. c. Long,
Ignatius Donnelly, E. A. Twitchell,
Kttel Halvorson, Peter Shipman, Erick
Olson or DR.. Christian Johnson.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
ORGANIZE NOW FOR SUCCESS IN
1900,
(By Fred Spencer.) }

am a Pop, a middle-of-the-roader at
that. You bet I am in favor Of stand
ing by the Omaha platform pure and
simple, and don't want any Democrats
in it either. I speak the sentiments Of
thousands Of voters. We don't want
any more fusion with Republicans or
Democrats. THE WHOLE THING
IS ROTTEN ALL THE WAY
THROUGH. We want straight Peo-
pies Party ticket, nominated straight
through. And If it does not get elect
ed this fall I know it. will In 1900, and
don't you forget it. I know Of lots Of
voters that would not vote for Bryan.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08

out any help from us. joined the
Peoples Party because / liked the prin-
ciples that it adopted at Omaha. Put
me down as a mid-roader. The Peo-
pies Party made sad mistake when
they fused in SO. It will take more
than fusion to make Democrats Popu-
lists. Many men would rather vote a
straight gold ticket than join the Demo-
Gratis.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
! WILL STAND BY THE PEOPLES
PARTY IF STAND ALONE.

by william Raleigh.
The Omaha platform is good enough
for any honest man to stand on. If
any of these fellows get so big that
they want more standing ground than
the Omaha platform offers give them a
push off. Don't let them drag down and
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
JOHN LIND.
By J. w. Day.

am straight middle-of-the- -roader.
We can never gain anything by fusion.
The only salvation for us as Populists Is
the middle-of-the-road. We have hum
buged with those Silver-Republican-
Democratic fusion co-operators long
enough. Fuse? Yes I will fuse with
anybody providing it is on the Omaha
platform, and not under any old party
name. In view of the fact that John
Lind has over his own signature stated
that he must "be judged by his record
as Republican congressman" and in
as much as that record is plainly on file
against free silver and always for the
money power, which anybody can prove
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08

back the rest Of us with them, however.
At the convention I shall work against
submitting to cC-operators I WILL
STAND BY THE PEOPLES PARTY IF
HAVE TO STAND ALONE. If the
Democrats are SO good that they want
to help why don't they come in and help
like men and stop their tomfoolery.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08

1t belongs. I hope that there will be
men at the convention with manhood
enough left to nominate a true PEOPLES
Party ticket, of men ONLY WHO ARE
WILLING TO WALK UNDER OUR
BANNER OPENLY. II the pie-hunters
control, for fusion, the convention, I
hope the agents of the Peoples Party
there present WILL NOT YIELD TO
SOME SMOOTH TONGUE JUDAS TO
GIVE IN FOR HARMONY'S SAKE"
as in former conventions. The conven-
ton is Peoples Party convention. So
II the fusion traitors go to their hall to
celebrate feast with silver Republic
Ems and Democrats, then is the time to
boldly nominate a ticket, if the dele
gates are true agents of the people.
TELL GIBBS, if he talks about bolting,
THAT THERE WILL BE 9OLTERS if
there is fusion ticket only in the field,
AND THE BOLTERS WILL BE NUM-
BERED BY THE THOUSANDS AND
COUNTED IN NOVEMBER. No,
Democracy is humbug. l have more
respect for the Republican party than
for the Democrats in that the former
fight openly, while the latter arc hypo-
critically trying like Spaniards to under
mine us. UTTERLY REFUSE TO
VOTE FOR ANY MAN THAT WANTS
TO RUN ON OUR TICKET UNDER A
DEMOCRATIC OR FREE SILVER RE-
PUBLICAN NAME. 1T LOOKS TO ME
AS IF LIND WAS PLAYING THE
SAME GAME WITH HIS PARTY AS
NELSON DID, AND THAT 1T WILL so
APPEAR IN TIME.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
WHAT WOULD A LINCOLN REPUB
LICAN SAY TO FUSIONISTS?
Rv Hon u C. ENanc


The preamble of the Omaha platform,
tells our grievances, the platform the
remedies. The preamble and platform
should be read by every citizen of the
United States. Afterwards ask each
reader the question If he will fuse or not
with the parties who produced all the
abuses. Just think what an absurdity,
to fuse, what for? To help a schemer
to office? I hear none but office-seekers
mention fusion. In the days of slavery
how would it have sounded to have ask
ed an abolishionist to join the party
who fathered the Dred-Scott decision?
To ask the friends of the down-trodden-
wage slaves to fuse with their heartless
task-masters is equal ridiculous. 1 left
tnat once pure Republican party in tlle
days Of Lincoln. But what of it since
It's work testifies to it's iniquity. Here
comes the emphatic answer-no fuse.
Yours for the prosperity Of the Republic.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
JOHN LIND AS LABELED NOT
WANTED.
By A. P. OnsdOrff.

by A. r. OnSdOrH.
It is impossible for me to attend the
state convention, because it is too far
to walk. No candidate (as John Lind,
Towne or anyone), labeled, "Silver-Re-
publican-People's or "People's-Silver-
Republican" or "Demo-Populist' or
Peoples Democrat" OR ANY SUCH
NONSENSE should be allowed to go on
our ticket. If we nominate a straight
Populist ticket we will win many re-
cruits to our party. If we do not the
great majority of Minnesota Populists
will either not vote at all or will vote
with the Republicans. I have no faith
in clergymen as politicians. The Peo-
ple's Party has had one clergyman in it's
ranks and that is enough in my mind.
THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE.
By W. r. Parks.
AS to the actual spirit of the people
If they are left alone there is no fusion
in them. AS to John Lind l will say
that nobody ought to be bigger than the
people.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
A WHOLE, NOT A HALF, POPULIST
BY G.. E. Dyksterhuis.

I am whole Populist and not a
half Populist. The Omaha platform is
my creed. The Peoples Party IS the
Peoples Party. When its principles
are thoroughly understood the people
wilt put them into force The only
trouble is that these principles are not
understood by the common people. Our
party is the reform party. If we have
been reformed and are reforming and
then unite again with those men that
are standing where we stood before we
commenced this reform work, are we
then working for reform? I SAY NO.
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
A WHOLE BROADSIDE OF SHOTS.

by U. Sem, Sr.
Let all true reformers stamp with
both feet on fusion. AS THERE ARE
LAWS AGAINST THE ADULTERA-
TION OF FOOD so LET US WRITE
THE LAW OF OUR PARTY AGAINST
THE ADULTERATION OF POPULISM.
Fusion is dishonest, misleading, corrupt,
WHETHER 1T BE CALLED BY CO.
OPERATION OR ANY OTHER NAME.
No party infused with fusion ever went
to victory. No, it went to III, where
The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
HISTORICAL FACTS. WHAT PAT
RICK HENRY WOULD HAVE +
THOUGHT OF "THE NEW
DEMOCRACY"
By S. A. StenersOn

I am opposed to nominating silver Re-
publicans or Democrats when just as
competent and honest Populists can be
found to fill the places. WE CANNOT
AFFORD TO NOMINATE JOHN LIND
for he has not accepted as much as a
plank of the Omaha platform.
No good results we're ever obtained
by fusion. No fusionis5 pointing to tho
last presidential campaign can deny this
statement. We cannot tell how many
Populist votes were aaat. We did not
get any representative for congress as
we did when we went it alone in past
campaigns. Minnesota polled 10000
Populist votes in the presidential cleo
ton of '92, the first years existance OF
the party, and over $1,000 votes in 81.
1t more than doubled in two years by
living up to mid-road policy In '92-
four months after our party was organ
lied at Omaha-we polled one million
votes in the United States, and in '94 in
creased to nearly two million votes.
Why? BECAUSE WE WE'RE OPPOSED
TO FUSION. Facts are stubborn things.
Will you submit like slave, and allow
this fusion folly to be repeated? 1 be-
lfeve that every true and genuine Popu-
list will crush out this suicidal policy
that goes under the name of honor
able" cooperation or fusion with other
political parties. 1. The fusionists
overlook the purpose for which the
Peoples Party was organized and for
which it's true men have suffered. The
Democrats and silver Republicans are
opposed to our cardinal tenets or else
they would have Joined us. A man is
known by the company he keeps and so
is political party. 2. Fusion causes
less of confidence in the Peoples Par
ty. 3. Fusion shows irresolutiOn and
irresolution in a person or party is like
ship at sea without a rudder. Such a
ship or such party is the most miser-
able being on the face Of the earth. 4.
Democrats do not care to fuse with
Populists in states or counties in which
they are in the majority as seen in New
York. 5. Fusion will deprive us CT the
right to be considered as a distinct
party. 6. It would cause many voters
to desert our party because such voters
cannot trust the Democratic party. Z.
There is no new Democracy in the Unit
ed States, as we can see by the number
Of gold bugs being put up by The Demo-
cratic city conventions. 8. The Demo-
cratic party is controlled by Tammany
hall and New York politicians. AS Pat
rick Henry says: Il have but one
lamp by which my feet are guided and
that is the lamp Of experience. l know
no way Of Judging of the future but Of
the past" So 1 say Of the Democratic
party