The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-22
Organization
Department.
An Appeal.

To the Populists scattered throughout
the country, l would ask, have you sur
rendered to the old parties? Have you
stacked arms and given your parole OF
honor to never again take them up to
fight plutocracy? Sure, we were de-
feated in 1892. In 1896 the fusion devil,
silver, completely routed us. But all
have not surrendered, not all have
stacked arms and given their parole of
honor that they would not again be
found fighting for the overthrow of plu-
tocracy, the bitter enemy of the great
plain people. If you are of the latter
class, know that the defeated but un-
conquered have formed base Of opera
tions that you will not be called upon to
send delegates to any convention, no,
never, by the Peoples party; for con-
trustworthy. We have adopted in party
work direct legislation, or, in other
words, party management by the rank
and file. This can only be done by or
ganizing voting precinct clubs. So don't
wait to see how it runs, but remember
that if you don't run your part, your
part will never run. So Populists, where
you have not surrendered, take hold,
take hold as though victory depended
entirely upon your own individual eff
forts. Organize and report it to head
quarters, and it will aid in the triumph
of 1900. Has the pageantry of war,
cruel and expensive war, convinced you
that POpulism is a lost cause, the iri-
descent dream of fanatics and fools?
If so, you are no longer Populists, but
it's enemies. Does 1000 humanized Fill
pinOs, humanized by McKinley's hui
MANNERS, shot and shell, elate you and
cause you to forget your own estate?
Remember that they fought for self
government. The Peoples party, like
these dead FilipinOs, are cOntending
with the plutocracy of wealth for the
privilege of self-government Will self
government be allowed? A large stand
ing army means government of force.
Does a people governed by consent need
standing army? If they do, then it
should be theirs to command Who are
the governed now? I answer, the great
plain people. Who are the governors?
| answer, the plutocracy of wealth.
Will they use force? Ask the dead of
Lattimer, of Chicago and of Cripple
Creek; they will tell you that they lost
their lives by command of plutocracy for
resisting spoliation. Whatever of lib
erty now enjoyed by the people has been
wrung from the governing class by vio-
lence. Do you realize that the govern
ing class will obstruct in every way pos
sible the attainment of direct legisla-
ton? Remember that golden opportu-
mites are not always present, that now
is the time to organize, and by so doing
put ourselves in a position to force plu-
tocracy to respect the majesty of the
common people. l am an old man.
Forty years ago | was proud of my abil-
ity to say am an American citizen, but
>
with dismay their downward trend. I
am convinced that unless they awake
from their Elusive dream of security,
and make respectable showing in 1900.
that government Of the people, by the
people and for the people will have per-
ished from off the earth. Ballots. not
bullets, must save us now.
For your encouragement, in the lam
guage of Patrick Henry, let me say 10
the timorous and hesitating. the battle
is not to the strong, but to the vigilant,
the active and the brave So don't wait
to see what your neighbor of like faith
is going to do, but decide what your own
action is going to be, then act.
b. j. WHITE,
Organizer Rice County, Morristown,
Mimi.