Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-12-02
q. G. CLEMENS.

G. c. Clemens says the Populist party has nc
leaders. The true Populist, he says, cannot be
led, but zoe, it alone to suit himself He be-
icv-s that Notwithstanding the statement o
some of the so-c called ''leaders' of the Populist
party, Populsts cannot be herded into the
Democratic party. "True Populists will not
go to the Democratic party" he said, "till
there is a real Democratic party to 60 to-
In speaking of the disinclination of the Pop
ulst party to be led, Mr.. Clemens said:
''lt the Democrats have been building hopes
upon the promises of Popuist leaders, as
seems to be the case, the Democrats are victims
of misplaced confidence, and are entitled to all
the gentle sympathy usually bestowed upon the
purchaser of gold brick. Talk Of Populist
Leader always remind. me of a procession
once enjoyed During the campaign of 1872,
Sydney Clarke spoke in North Topeka one
night, and then came over the river to speak in
the wigwam Dan Adams was determined that
Syd should come over and enter the wigwam in
hurrah STYLE and so had secured number of
torches to be carried by the faithful. The pro-
cession formed and proceeded Clarke and Ad-
ans walking sde-by side i'll front, your depsn
ent and Bob Frederick, now United States.
marshal of Alaska, next, and some others, to
the number of fifty or more, behind. But the
torches were in worse condition than Spanish
ratons in Santiago, and as we neither wished
to buy new clothes nor call out the fire depart
ment to put us out, we began throwing the old
things away and betaking ourselves to the side
walk, until, by the time we had crossed the
bridge, Clarke and Adams constituted all that
was left of the procession. They were great
chuns and were so busy talking that they did
not once look around until they were near the
old court house, when Adams, who had been
keeping careful step with the procession lie
supposed was behind him, wheeled about to
shout to the following hosts to dress up
"Then he and Clarke advanced hastily to the
sidewalk before somebody sheuld laugh. l
have seen alleged Populst leaders with just
such an imaginary procession behind them.
There are no Populist leaders. Necessarily,
the disscnter, in politics as in religion, is al
ways man Of independent judgment and in
dlvidual votion, and the oldtime Popuist is
built just that way. Wtle you to ask him
Where is your leader?' he would doubtless an
swcr you as in speeches have advised him to
answer-by pointing to the sky above him.
The tue Populist recognizes no leader but
God, and hope lie will never recogis any 9th
tr He needs nc human leader. He is amply
able to take care Of himself--as the late cleo
ton made clear to all who tried to lead him.
Neither has he any idols. 1t don't take him
long to tear leg off his new doll and spill out
the sawi,ist: then he asks for another. If
YOU will look about among the people
who have become famous as Populist idols
and who don't work at it any more, you
will see plenty of dismcnbered Popalist toys
The Democrat who puts his trust in Populist
leaders had better put it in princes. The man
who attempts TO be Populist leader Is likely
to nd hhmself in the midst Of vast solitude
If tie Democratic party gets the od-tine Pop
uists to join it, it must 60 after them one at
a time. They can't be herded. ''-Topcka State
Journal.