Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-27
JOHN C. SHERIDAN JOINS THE RE-
BELLION AGAINST FUSION.
PLEA FOR PURE DEMOCRACY.
SAYS THE WAY TO QUIT A BAD HAB-
IT IS TO QUIT.
Urges kansas Democrats to Quit the
PopuIist Habit Now and Forever
Says Fusion In the Party's
Deadly Enemy-Kansas
News and Gossip.

Tcpeka. Kas., March 26.-(Special.) John
C. Sheridan, of Paola, one of the old
wheel horses of Kansas Democracy. has
written a letter giving several reasons why
the Democrats should not fuse with the
Pops in Kansas this year or any otner
wear. The letter is filled with sledge-nam-
mer blows and will do a great deal oWaros
bracing up the Democracy OF Kansas WHICH
has been on the wane for the past seven
years. Sheridan says that the Democrats
should take the Chicago platform as tnelr
motto and do business after this on their
own account. Speaking of fusion, he says:
There is but one way to quit a bad hapit
once begun, and that is. Quit 1t now
and forever. Sure it is thai no such favor
able time will come again.
.Iryite to Democratic caucuses and con-
ventions, every honest man who sincerely
believes In and desires the success OF the
principles of the Democratic platform OF
1886. No other test Is needed.
Conventions cease to represent ~theirparty
the moment they resort to deals with any
other party, and their party should repu-
date such proceedings at the earliest pos
sible moment. 1 am heartsick OF fusion ana
the dissipation and ruin ever in its wake.
1t is our most deadly enemy. Our List
great battle must be to destroy 1t, root
and branch. Make the term 'fusionist' an
opprobrious epithet and cast It to scam
dial.
Has the time come, after q hundred
years of national and glorious existence.
when the Democratic party. whose non
orable, courageous and patriotic course OF
battle enabled it to witness the death or
all the other numerous political parties OF
q century except the present ones. when
such a party must hire people to vote It's
ticket and support its principles? NO. 1t
were a thousand times better to suffer de-
feat for years and generations to come.
For seven years we have again been
trying fusion, this same old rot. this old
time prostitution Of our party. What have
we gained by it? How much nearer are
we to the promised rallying of all Repub-
Iican opposition under our banner? The
Republicans have been overthrown in the
state, but wherein did we gain any
strength by 1t? Who took and kept all
the credit Of thai victory? Are we not re-
peatedly reminded by these benelciaries
Of our votes that we now constitute but a
small part of the opposition to Republic
anism in Kansas. that we are but the tail
of the dog. so to speak. and that the tail
can never wag the dog, that the dog must
wag the tail? Where are our young men
who became voters during that time and
their brothers, soon to follow them to the
polls? How many thousand of Democrats
in the state who ave felt disfranchised
and remained at home IN election days
during these seven years? Where is our
state Democratic press. the courage and
power of which used to swell our heart.
with due pride? Let a true Democrat an
swer these questions and he will 1ttingly
ask. When is this damnable folly tc
stop
Ear it help US as a party to be able te
point to one Of our men in Office here an6
there as the price and reward Of our virtue
surrendered to these people who relish
Republican embraces in the South as much
as they do Democratic embraces In thu
North? Can We afford, as a party who's
recruiting power lies only in the great vita
principles which constitute the bulwark Of
the peoples liberties. to teach our young
men by such dangerous examples that tn,
way to success is to resort to counting tn,
favors and accepting these brides of othel
parties.
mo. indeed"