Missouri Valley times., 1899-07-06

of political parties in this county. and
defining his own position. He gives us
credit for ability which we do not nor
never have claimed, and our only OBJ
ject in writing the article referred to is
to secure harmony among all who are
opposed to the republican party, and
not, as he supposes, to play shary or
party trick. He says: "In the Mis-
souri, Valley Daily Times of June 18th
appears q reply to my communication
in last weeks Chronicle, upon the sub
iect of fusion, from the gifted pen of
my esteemed friend, Hon. d. NJ. Har-
ris, familiarly known as the judge
AMI often-owing to his long expert
ence in politics and the dexterity with
which he always msntpulates the polit-
ical machine known as the democratic
party-often, we say, and almost rev.
erently, called the father of Harrison
county democracy, and to which dis
tim9rished honor, his title shall remain
undisturhed so far as am concerned.
In fact think the title is we'll deserv-
ed. and it NAV as we'll be conceded
that but very few men in this county
are better prepared to offer an unbias-
ed opinion upon this fact than myself.
George, take cigar. d. M.
"As manipulation of the machine,
the judge has few equals and no supe-
riors. His methods are peculiar-like
the those of the heather Chinese. You
hardly ever know what he has up his
sleeve. And in his opposition to fu-
sion at this particular time must con-
fess my entire inability to see clearly
how or wherein the democratic party
is to be benefited, even from machine
point, from that line of policy.
"If there was the slightest probabili-
ty in the world of the populists and
silver republicans being cosxed into
tue democratic party, without regard
to the preservation of the peoples par
ty, the judges position might appear
tenable. But that is an utter impossl-
bility. They may consent to fuse sf-
ter having preserved their party organ
ization, they can never be induced to
abandon their party organization and
consent to be absorbed by the other.
"Again, if there was q possible show
of democratic success without the CO.
operation of the populists and silver
republicans, then the democrats might
seem justified in spurning their assist
ance. But this, as will be seen by ref
erence to all prior election returns Is
likewise impossible. No one under
stands, or should understand, these
facts any better than Judge Harris,
and this is why his present attitude in
opposing fusion is so difficult of eluci-
dation without drawing most literally
upon the Imagination.
sit would seem, then, that to carry
out the judges scheme is to openly
plan defeat for the democratic party In
this county at the next election, but we
dislike to suspect him of playing in
such desperate spirit, with no stakes
bigger Ill sight than the probable de-
struction of the peoples party and trus-
ting to luck of gain for the future from
the gathering together of the dlSlnte-
grated parts thereof.
'It may be that the judge Is willing
to fOrego success at the coming elec-
tion in order to get rid of the influence
of the peoples organization upon the
democratic party in the presidential
campaign of 1900, caring more to prt.
serve the democratic party intact for
success of cherished principles which
might be established through combi-
nation with other forces, but not with
out giving the other forces part of the
credit of victory.
"If Judge Harris was speaking Off
cially for his party, l should at once
conclude that an abandonment of the
silver question was In contemplation;
and, indeed, we know that some demo
Gratis are trying to foster the idea that
the silver question is dead issue and
must be abandoned. We expect some
trouble from this class of 80 called
democrats. There are q number OF
them in the county, but not enough to
swing the party over into the gold-bug
pasture. 1t is too much like the tail
irving to wag the dog. But this makes
it all the more imperative for the peo-
ple's party to preserve its identity in
order to hold the balance of power as g
rod in pickel over the wavering NAL
contents who would lead their party
into the by-paths of decentralization if
possible in their eagerness to prevent
the democratic party from taking an
honest position in behalf of true prin-
ciples and honest fefOrm-a thing II
has hardly ever been known to do ex-
cept by force. The rank and file OF
the party is alright, but the machine
taantpulators and self constituted lea
ders have to be watched. The demo.
cratic party can never hope to secure
the corporation of the populist and
independent tbiMetallist unless 1t stands
square and firm on that issue, and as
said before, that is going to be the
leading issue in 1900, and all demo
Gratis who are not in hearty accord
thefewilh, had better get right over or
the other side without waiting for the
aid or consent of anyone, for that is
where they will ultimately land unless
they change their course.
"Now l do not pretend to say that
our esteemed friend, the Judge, is en-.
gagged in this kind of q plot. No, In.
deed; we have trained with him long
time and know him we'll. He is toe
kind hearted, sympathetic, benevolent
and true for that. A kinder man we
never knew, or one more devoted to
noble deeds-but he is no novice In
politics and always plays surprising.
II strong hand at that game~-and am
forced to conclude that he is only try
ing a little game of bluff upon this oc'
cssion Just TO draw out expressions.-
Sorry / haven't room to quote from his
last article, but hope that the Chron.
Jcle will do 30 on its own account, as II
involves an issue that should be thor.
ouphly discussed before the conven-
tions are held. We want to organize
20 as to elect the county ticket this fall
and get in proper fighting condition
for 1900. Respectfully,