Griggs courier., 1898-09-01


years ago, has become tired Of
his party and has gone back to
republicanism. Ne clip the fol-
lowing from reports of the South
Dakota republican convention:
Before the delegates could
leave the hall permission was
asked for the reading of an ad
dress or manifesto from Fl. L |
Loucks, father of populism,
which has been directed through
the mails to Doane Robinson,
editor of the Yankton Gazette.
The document, for midable in
length and positive in sentiment
and argument, was received with
widest acclaim and made al
genuine sensation. No one but
Robinson had anticipated it, and
the surprise was universal and
profound. After discussing the
peculiar and unusual political
situation confronting the voters
and rehearsing the formation
and growth of the populist party
Mr.. Loucks bitterly denounced
the democratic party and the
system of fusion. The populist
party has become, he said, the
victim of place seeking by
hungry democratic wolves.
Democrats have enacted a higher
tariff than the Mckinley law and
had given the country the exist
ing gold policy. 1t was incap-
able of progress. In the south
it had debauched the ballot box
and in the north it seduced the
reform voters. The fusion party
in South Dakota had passed un-
der the control of one of
the most prefect machines
in the northwest. All other
machines were as moth
ing. The true midroaders could
not be traded off for Office. Of
state issues Mr.. Loucks said:
las for free coinage of silver, it
will be very mbarrassing to
discuss il, and the fusionists
speaker who attempts it at this
time has my sympathy. Rail
way control offers no issue, for
the republican party has repeat
edly declared for it, and every
Republican member of the legis-
Ilature voted for the railway bill.
AS to the prosecution of corrupt
officials, the fuslonists will not be
prudent to raise that issue" In
conclusion, Mr.. Loucks stated
that if the delegates would in
dorse the initiative and referen-
dun and direct Legislation, they
would count upon most glorious
victory. II have not a principle
in common with the democratic
party, as.at present constituted. y
declared the writer. land l can.
not follow my party into the un.
holy union which has been con.
summated. Prior to 1890 ]
claimed to be a Lincoln republi.
can. I did not leave you because
of any personal grievance or dis
], appointment. I was not an of.
!, fee seeker, and several times de-
!, clined preferment offered me. ]
; have not the courage to build uI
a second party, now that my
original one has turned from it's
course and perverted to demo
/ cratic use; to remain neutralis te
be called an assistant republican
and to have my motives impuged
which has been repeatedly done
Il by the chief organ of the demo
cratic party Of this state. I de
sire, therefore, to align myself
in this campaign with the repub.
lican party. The remedy for
/ private monopoly is public mon.
, opoly. I believe in the protec.
tion of American industries
and interests; a free ballot and
fair count, and in the extension
of American interests and terri.
tory. Old Glory when once
raised must not be lowered.
, cannot he charged with selfish
: motives. When I left your par.
ty it had q majority in this state
Of 30. 900: it is now in the minOri.