The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-08-03
A VALUABLE LETTER.

1
From Arizona to the Missouri World.
Editors of the World: l wish to
present some facts in the brief history
| OF the Populist party as object lessons
for your numerous readers In the
elections of '92 and '94 the three states
! OF Texas, Georgia and Kansas pOlled in
the aggregate more than one-fourth of
| the votes cast by the Peoples party in
| those two years. The reason for this is
| found in thorough organization of pre-
c1nct clubs on the outset Texas, as
we have seen effected the organization
OF over $500 local clubs. Georgia had
in 80 about 1000 Farmers Alliance or
CARNATIONS which threw their influence
into the Populist party, or rather con-
stituted the elements of the party. In
Kansas more than 80 counties of the
state effected precinct organizations un
der the efficient leadership of j. w.
Breidenthal. That gentleman it was
said, held in his mental grasp and di-
rection large portion Of the state. The
result was that Kansas took the front
rank in the Populist party and raised
it's banners high. In "a she still held
the banner aloft, but in 96 she dropped
down from her high position in the vain
attempt to aid in the election of two
Democrats to the office Of president and
vlce-president of the United States.
Now her once glorious banner trails at
the feet of the Democratic party.
Problem three states thoroughly
organized into precinct clubs could cast
more than one-fourth of the entire
strength OF the party, what would have
been the result if 25 states had been
similarly organized?
Four years ago Gen. Weaver ran for
an important office in Iowa on the Pop
ulist ticket; he carried to his assistance
several able speakers, and entered upon
the campaign with the vim and cour-
age OF charging battalion, passing
from county to county, speaking every
day for many weeks to large and enthu-
siastic crowds.
Rarely, if ever, has such vigorous
campaign been pushed in Iowa by any
party. 1t was generally believed that
the PopuIist vote would reach 10000 or
$4,000.
The same year. J. S. Coxey ran for
governor in the state of Ohio on the
Popullst ticket; he entered upon most
vigorous campaign, speaking every day
and often twice, for 60 days, to large and
enthusiastic crowds. 1t was confidently
believed Coxey's vote would be at least i
100000. In recalling the result Of those |
two campaigns in Iowa and Ohio, | am
reminded Of the parable Of the sower in |
the book of Matthew sower went /
forth to SOW and as he sowed some |
seeds fell by the wayside and the fowls
picked them up, and some fell upon /
stony places and the sun dried them up;
some among thorns, and the thorns
sprang up and choked them The re-
suit in Iowa was a gain over the pre-
vious year Of about 1000; in Ohio the
gain was less than 5000.
Republican birds of Iowa were too
numerous, and Democratic thorns in
Ohio were too thick and strong for
such campaigning. Can anyone doubt
that had these two gentlemen accom-
plished their campaign with the organi-
zation of from 1900 to 500 local clubs
the result would have been all that was
predicted and. remained permanent?
The most brilliant oratory in compe-
ton on the field has not been particu-
lariy successful in winning converts to
our cause nor in electing congressman,
governors and presidents. Clay. Web
ster and Blaine, who were capable of
holding great audiences by their DOW
erful oratory, were each in turn candi-
lates for the presidency; all three were
while Grant and Cleveland.
who made no speeches as a rule, were
vice elected presidents; still the forum
must not be undervalued; as an edu-
,ator it holds at least a second place in
,ur working system.
While the precinct club organization
lolds pre-eminently the first place, or
,anization is the demand of the hour.
We have no use for men who call them
elves Populists standing around sim
ly giving orders. No true Populists of
whatever grade of intellect, will fail of
nrolling themselves in precinct or local
lub.
If we can effect at least 10000 pre-
met clubs by next January, the Popu-
st party will be on its feet and be able
D command respect of it's enemies and
tract to itself the dissatisfied and dis
ordant elements of the other parties.
7. H. CANFIELD.
Tucson, Arizona.