Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1898-07-30
REMARKS ON FUSION.


er cause 1t attributes to fusion the
loftiest ideas on sociology and econ
omics. How Is this? In Graham
county heretofore there has been
something approaching fusion be-
tween the democrats and republicans.
The republicans and populists have
fused in Ellis county. 1t is so in
Missouri and the southern states.
Is it such noble and lofty practice
in such cases? No, indeed. Stripped
of all the plausible sophistry advocated
by its supporters, it is dishonorable
sacrifice of political principle for the
sake of the offices. POpulists have al
ways maintained the justice Of its eX-
istence on the premise that the two
old parties were submerged in corrup-
ton. There was just enough truth "a
bout this cOntention-aS all human
Institutions are prone to err-to give
it color of justice to the unthinking
mind; but the Reveille and its ilk con-
tend loud and long for an amalgama-
ton of the pure (?) forces of Populism
with the corrupt forces of Democracy.
The Reveille speaks in high sound
ing phrases of the advancing thought
of the party" and then breaches an
alliance with the party that polls the
most votes where the greatest
amount of ignorance prevails. 1t adj
vocates an alliance of political issues
with Alabama and Mississippi which
spend 50 head for school purposes a
gainst the enlightened policies of
II
which annually spend $I9 and 81 re-
spectively for every child of school age.
(The figures are from the report of the
Commissioner OF education.) What
sensible man believes that the purpos-
es of Populism and Democracy are the
same? The great democratic theory
taught and advocated for the past
hundred years has been the largest in
dividualiSm possible, consistent with
the welfare OF all. The doctrine of
the thinking element of Populism, it's
BellamyS, DoSterS and Donnellys,
who have our respect if not our approx
al, has been that the theory of indiv-
idualism is wrong, that the powers of
government should be enlarged to ex-
tend to all the walks of life, govern
ment ownership of public utilities,
government employment for the I'M
fortunate, government support for
the aged, etc, etc. The Republican
theories are a happy medium between
these two. 1t has even been charged
by the democrats that the Republican
doctrine of Protection is to blame Tor
furnishing the precedent of paternal-
ism for the populistS. 1t is plainly
obvious to the philosophic mind that
the theories of government as taught
by the leading thinkers of Populism
and Democracy are as opposite as the
poles of magnet, and the only just
ificatiOn of their fusion must be by
attract. 1t is not sound philosophy
TO say that there are passing issues on
which the two parties agree.-for in
stance, Free Silver. We have read |
the teachings of populisJic writer's to
no advantage ii we nave not learned |
that they 90 not believe in Tree silver |
or free gold either, for that matter.
Their excuse for the espouSal of Free |
Silver was to secure temporary ex-
pedIent until their elaborate financial I
system could be promulgated. The |
times have shown lnau such temper
AIRY eXpedienu was not necessary, al |
though we humbly believe that inn
portanJ changes in our monetary sys- |
tenn must ana will be made in the
next few years. Even G. III. Emmons, |
the present noted advocate OF fusion |
in Western Kansas, is the author OF |
work ON finance entitled, "Ine FUND |
amental Laws of Money, and Ma |
tional Monetary SYSTEM" in when
silver and gold nave no place. Truly |
fusion in politics is a hybrid without |
progeny, and deserves no countenance
from upright men VINO belong TO any |
party from principle and not for the |
sake of the SPOTS. Don't imagine I
that we are only advertising our lofty
ideas In truth, if we were seeking /
an offices, we would hustle for votes I
on every side. probably after the pat
tern OF the fuslOnists, provided it got |
us the votes, for villains vote counts /
as much as an honest man's-more's |
the pity, Fusion is wrong in every /