Willmar tribune., 1899-09-13
large majority Of the populists Of the

most wise and beat calculated to serve
the interests Of the common people of
the nation and to build up q political
party that shall stand for those inter-
ests and not be controlled and domin-
ated by men who are 'reformers for
revenue only.'' AS one member OF the
committee very tritely expressed it,
1--WE are disposed to give the democ-
racy chance to tote fair and see
what they will do"
In 1896 the democrats we're permitted
to hold their convention first, They
adopted our platform first land some
people have felt constrained to CON-
pare that "adoption" with the manner
in which gypsies are said to "adopt'
white children when they can lay their
hands on them) and then, upon that
platform, nominated as their candi-
date the greatest living exponent and
champion of the reforms for which we
have been contending. William J.
Bryan, but they also nominated as
their candidate for vice president
man who had no claim to distinction
but his "barrel'' and a man whom
they must have known that no popu-
list could support
We also nominated Bryan with a
populist for vice president, in the ex-
pectation that the democrats in the in
terests of success, whether or not they
were sincere in their claim to have
been converted to our faith, would
withdraw Sewall and endorse Wat
son.
l believe firmly that II they had done
that the Mckinley regime with it's at
tendant horrors would never have
been inflicted upon US, our flag would
have been saved from dishonor and
"American Principles' would have
become laughing stock for the ma
tions of the earth.
If. as now appears almost certain,
when we shall meet in convention we
shall again nominate Bryan for the
presidency aud a true and tried re-
former for the second place the demo-
Gratis will have their opportunity to
place reform administration in
Washington Or to re-elect Mckinley
which will surely result, as we'll as
the inevitable disintegration of their
party, if they persist and nominate a
man with barrel and nothing else to
commend him for the support of re-
formers.
In 1896 there was an element of the
democratic party that, while ostensibly
supporting Bryan, were secretly knit
ing him and working and praying for
the success of Mckinley and the money
power. And this brings me to the
consideration of the attitude of our
committee towards Lind.
Not a man upon that committee ex-
pressed, nor do I believe one felt,
hostility to Lind personally.
The chief, and believe almost the
only trouble, lies in the fact that in
the state, and nationally as we'll, there
is an element of democrats who be-
lieve that if they can only succeed in
disorganizing the peoples party and
forcing it out of the field it members
would at once become democrats.
Whatever may be true in other states,
the disorganization of the peoples
party in Minnesota would result in
overwhelming victory for the repub-
licans at the first election.
This element of the democracy has
been most active and persistent and
have moved heaven and earth to cre-
ate the impression with the governor
that the populists are disorganized
and that it is only through the democ-
racy that he eau hope for future hon.
ors. They forget, as it is to be hoped
he has not, that the governor was
nominated as a representative of the
reform element in the republican party
and not as democrat.
1t is charged that as governor he
has permitted his private secretary to
come between him and his friends so
that some of his most stauuch sup
porters have been unable to obtain an
audience with him. l know not. if this
be true, but if it be, it is very un-
fortunate.
have never heard a populist say
that he did not believe Governor Lind
to be sincere and honest and I have
heard many express wonder that, un-
der the circumstances surrounding
him, he has made so few mistakes.
In some instances he has certainly dis
played remarkable sagacity, astute-
ness and probity.
However, when the resolution was
introduced to give our unqualified en-
dorsement to his administration it was
considered out of place.
1t is not the province of the State
Central Committee of any party to
manufacture political capital for in
dividuals and it certainly would be
impolitic to introduce into such q
meeting an element of discord and it
was to avoid that and not from any
feeling of animosity or hostility to
the governor that moved to lay the
resolution on the table and thus shut
of discussion. The motion was car
ried without dissenting vote and, in