The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-09
OUR FORUM

Editor Representative:
At this time when the homicide of the
Peoples party seems imminent, not alone
at the hands Of our enemies, but through
the connivance of many of our own polit-
lcal family, it would seem timely that all
who have the welfare of our party and
cause at heart, should register their pro-
test. II there Is any reason now for its
death, then there was never any reason
for its birth. Its mission and potency
have already been demonstrated, but any
reasons for its demise are yet unrecord-
ed. The Democratic party before hold
ing the convention in Chicago in 1896,
was In the last stage of dissolution.
Administration of few Populistic pills
by DR.. Bryan snatched it back from the
brink OF the grave, but the resusitation
Will be temporary, unless restored by a
full course of Populist treatment. The
allopathic school Of medicine waged war
on the homeopathic for years, though
continually pirating their medicines; but
ignoring persecution, the homeopathic
school Is now recognized by the masses
IN preference to the other
That Mr.. Bryan is a great and good
man no one can gainsay, but he seems
a fetch worshipper; first 1t was free
trade as panacea, now it is free silver
The masses of the people do and will
doubt the potency of his genius and
magic in bringing forth a re-incarnated
democracy in 1900; they still will be
looking for its ears. To avert a repeti-
ton OF Roman and French history,
numerous and, radical reforms must come
to the American people, and at no dis
tant date. Would it not be suicidal to
delegate so important responsibility to
party Of conservatism, that has not
had new and original idea since the
days of its patron saints, Jefferson and
Jackson?
Fusion is and always has been as fatal
to reform. as the effiuvia of the deadly
upas tree is to human life The peanut
politicians seeking a division Of the
'1oaves and fishes are the only ones to
profit by it.
Past experience, municipal, state and
national proves !, t, 1t is principally pleas
ing to the fusee, and only beneficial to
the old machine gang of political cut
threats, and their Judas recruits, seek
ing personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Compromise of righteous cause at the
expense of error, always has and always
will result disastrously What Bryan.
Donnelly, Towne and other leaders,
should be doing now, is the organizing Of
new party, embracing all the reform
forces; for the adoption of measures
necessary to the deliverance of the mass
es from plutocratic domination which
can only be realized, when the principles
OF the Peoples party finally prevail. So
cial or political reforms always come
from without, not from within, and
should Bryan not keep pace with the
times, and broaden out instead Of re-
naming stationery as characteristic of
his party, what other alternative have
POpulists than to continue to do business
at the old stand?
Few Populists and reformers generally
believe in the potency of free silver as a
cure. all even though it could win next
time, which is extremely doubtful The
time to have restored bimetallism was in
1892 or 1896.
We are now adjusted, or will be before
Standard
another election to practically the gold
There is no doubt it has wrought ruin
throughout our fair land, but will some
OF our free silver friends tell us wherein
the masses who have been mulcted would
be the gamers, by another financial up
heaval and rise of level of prices, that
would make person pay the original
value, say five thousand dollars for ex-
ample, for property lost on a mortgage
of half the amount, when at the present
time in most instances, the mortgagor
can get it back on payment of the prin-
cipal and accrued interest, or better.
Would not the mortgage and capital
list be the only ones materially benefit
ted, catching it going and coming, like
the darkey with his coon trap? In New
England the slogan of anti-corporation
or trust and direct legislation, say moth
ing Of the land and transportation ques-
tons, would win general election to-
day. Does anybody suppose the issue
Of silver could carry now, or later, in
Massachusetts or New York, or in fact
in any Of the Eastern states? Certainly
no one does, that is in touch with the
sentiment there The principles of our
party and reform movement are greater
than any party; greater than the destiny
Of any coterie of men, and all who be-
lfeve in them should stand by them, first
last and all the time; for in reality
equal rights to all, special privileges to
none," that should mean so much to ouf
great commonality and all posterity
means nothing in the old party profess
sions. and never will, until the Peoples
party or its principles, shall become SUI
preme in our government.
F. D. CULVER.
Duluth, Feb. II. 1898.