The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-03-12

m1ttee Tor Montana.
TO all opponents of the gold standard in
Montana:
Our mutual interest in thwarting the
plans of the advocates and benefciaries OF
the gold standard and its kindred evils is
my justification, il any were necessary, fol
writing this letter.
| have observed some few evidences il
Montana of disposition among certain
individual members OF the three anti-gold
standard and anti-monopoIy parties of the
state to oppose the cooperation OF oui
forces in the coming campaign. cannot
believe, however, that such opposition viii
assume formidable proportions | shall be
greatly surprised ii before the campaign
has progressed far it does not practically
pass away.
l understand fully the Temptation in Mon
tana for the members of the respective po-
litical reform organizat tions of the state to
let each party run separate tickets, with
the full knowledge that the gold republic
an party of the state will be the last
in the race. Many OF the supporters of the
three silver parties believe the one to which
they belong will poll the most votes, and
therefore they are eager for the fray. No
good purpose can be siibserved, however
by discussions as to their relative numeri-
cal strength; for unless ! greatly mistake
the temper and purpose OF the people OF
Montana they will not permit jealous ri
valries between men or parties to prevent
cooperative action between them in the
coming campaign.
Men who are seriously contemplating the
advocacy of a division of our forces il
Montana ought to remember that even
though our local conditions are such thai
there is no fear of the republican party
winning in the state, nevertheless we can
not afford to present the example of sell
fish contention and inharmony within the
ranks of the allied forces of Montana
which will serve to embarrass or prevent
the accomplishment of complete co-opera.
ton in states where it is necessary before a
victory can be ours. We should remember
that the contest in Montana is only i'm.
portant in so far as it aids or I'M ures the
cause in other states, and in so far as our
state contest is a part OF the great national
campaign. Shall we be guilty of the un
pardonable offense OF ilnperiing the sue
cess of the general cause in the nation
by petty quibbling among ourselves as to
which one of the three parties is strongest
in the state, or as to which one shall have
assigned to it in the cooperative agreement
some particular office or offices? The duty
of the hour demands the subordination
of every personal ambition, the suppression
of every animosity, and the complete de-
termination to present a united front to
the common enemy.
We recognize that the great rank and
file of the republican party, as well as
every other political party, is imbued with
high and patriotic purpose and the sincere
desire to accomplish the greatest good for
the greatest number; but. unfortunately
for them the opportunity to learn of the
diversion of the party from its ancient
principles did not reach them until after
many of us had discovered it, and they
continued to repose their confidence in that
party until the evils of the present admins
tration have caused many OF them since to
withdraw that confidence. They know
now, as we knew then, that the surrender
of the republican party to the gold and
monopoly power was final and complete.
The masses of republican voters have not
been aware of the earlier devices by which
this purpose was pursued. The plan was
cunningly formed and has been patiently
and carefully developed 1t was not to be
wondered at that for long time only a
few should perceive the drift OF the party
management. By shrewd policy the
votes of millions of honest, but deluded
men, were repeatedly secured in aid of
objects that would have been repudiated
if openly avowed. But it was inevitable
that exposure should finally come, end
events of recent occurrence and now
pending make clear TO even slight eX-
animation that the republican party has
passed under the absolute control of
forces that threaten not only the liberties
of the country, but civilization itself.
The most important economic fact Of
the last quarter OF a century has been
the appreciation of gold with its attend
ant falling prices, depreciation OF prop
erty, and ruinous increase in the burden
of debts; with consequent discourage
ment to production, disaster to agrieult-
ure, and loss OF employment to labor.
The resulting reduction of profitable re-
turns to all forms OF enterprise has vast
ly lessened the power OF the people 10 con-
sumo, and prices have consequently fall
en-. As an inevitable consequence, trusts
and monopolies have been formed on a
gigantic scale for the purpose OF raising
prices artificially, and of limiting produc-
tion to the measure of reduced demand
These twin evils, the gold standard and
the trust, are inseparably linked togeth-
er, are sustained by the same influences,
and must perish at the same time. The
time that they will be permitted to eI-
ist is of the same length, as the exist
ence of the period OF division OF the
forces opposed to them. II is not strange
that they should have Joined hands in
their efforts to secure the republican par.
ty as their common instrument OF op
preston. Mark the following signifca ai
parallel. In its national platform Of 1895
| the republican party declared in favor