Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-10-12

and POpulists was, for congress, Cor
bett, Democrat. l 1888; Hartman, Re-
publican, %, 140 and Smith, Populist.
5,24O. Between 1894 and 1896 there
was nothing that TRANSFERRED that
would justify conclusion that
Democratic strength or populs rity
had gained anything. The National
Democratic convention. however, in
1896 inserted a financial plank i'm it's
platform that met with the approval
of Silver Republicans and POpulists
alike and was freely echoed by all.
The Democrats OF the state knowing
their inability to do anything within
themselves, humbly beseached Silver
Republicans and Populists to join
issues with them in support of acom-
mon cause, and with the influence OF
the silver leaders of national repute.
they secured cooperation of h sill
yer forces which carried them into
mower with an overwhelming vote.
But political history records no ac-
ton of Democrats wherein they were
actuated By prudence or common
sense, and their actions at this time
is no exception to the general rule.
Entbused with their success in 1896
and the leading politicians Of the
state being in direct sympathy with
the eastern wing of Democracy to
side-track the silver issue as soon as
possible, almost at the close of the
campaign of 1896. they began the wolf
howl which was designed to defeat
cooperation of the silver forces for
the campaign of 1898. And / sight
you to- the very evident signs of an
ignominiOus defeat tor that party i'm
the coming campaign, as a result of
the accomplishment of their designs.
For the past seven months the Demo
cratic politicians of the state and the
Democratic press, save the Great
Falls Tribune, which alone of all the
Democratic papers has stayed in line
with the sentiment and principles adj
vOcated by Democrats two years
ago, have kept up a constant howl
to defeat fusion OF the silver forces.
But the rank and file of the Demo-
cratic party of the state were OPP
posed to submitting to their dictates
until they met in Anaconda, in state
convention.
Assembled in this little city of cop
per, with all it's picturesque surround
ings and all the beauties of nature to
enthuse n with hanks to God that
he was alive, the silvery tongued
politician, whose mission was to con-
trive some means by which popular
sentiment could be overcome, grace
fully and successfully. with the rep
tile like charms of their flattery soon
overcome the resolute determination
of the honest old Democrats to con-
tend for fusion; and sc well and com
pletely did tile politicians do their
work that not a single voice was
raised In convention in opposition to
their cunning scheme.
The object of Democrats to defeat
fusion Of the silver forces Is perfectly
plain, and 80 positive on itsface that
there cannot be a shadow of doubt
In the mind of any political student.
AS | said before, there cannot be n
possible doubt of the intention OF
Democratic politicians to side-track
the silver silver issue i'm thecampaign
of 1900, and i'm view of the fact that
the leaders of national repute rule the
day i'm opposition to the masses of
II party, it is now a foregOne con-
clusiOn that they will succeed i'm
fortlfying themselves for the all i'm
pOrtant moment. 1t is political wis.,
dom to break the lines now that If
united until the beginning of 1900
would prove disastrous to their sue
cess. For an Illustration let us take
the case of Congressman Hartman
and Governor Smith. Both of these
men are of different political faith,
but have sofarcOInmitted themselves
to Democratic principles and have
expressed such implicit faith in Dc
mocracy that to recede with any
prominence whatever is an impossi-
bility; and with the Democrats still
shouting for silver and severing their
connections with all other parties in
dorsing that principle, in what posi-
ton would il leave these two promi-
nent a~pOstates i'm case they do not
cast their fortunes with that party.
1t would leave them in the position
OF political bushw hackers and dema-
gogues and the Democrats are not
slow to see their advantage in this
respect. And having had at hat
time reasonably good assurance of
partial success without the assist
ance OF either the other parties, es-
pecially in this state, then was the
time to break the lines of fusion to
completely draw these men into DEM
ocratic ranks ortheir c~rusadeit 1880.
Whereas. to havefused with the sill
yer forces and left these men at the
head of their respective organizations
until the time came to renOunce the
principle which had committed them
individually to Democracy, would
have been leaving them in IA position
t. again renounce Democracy, and in
consequence, take their entire force
with them which would have been
held in perfect organized form had the
fusion of silver forces been effected.
OF course, these men may then kick
out OF the races, but let them kick,
their political race will have been run
and their influence a thing of the
past, unless they still remain i'm the
Democratic party and subscribe otis
principles, and there is too much
policy about both men to justify one
i'm the conclusion that either will