Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-09-02
Attorney BOrah'S Political Letter.

no objection to giving my views on the
political situation, but in doing so, l do
not claim TO voice the sentiments of any
party or organization, nor neither do
arrogate TO myself the power to fore
shadow platforms or name presidents.
express individual views.
The first question and the one which
seems foremost in the minds of all, Is
that of fusion.
apprehend that we are about through
with fusion. As silver republicans, our
experience has been rather instructive
and painfully conclusive, so far as the
question of fusion is concerned. There
were many who thought it a mistake
from the start and believed it entirely
wrong III principle, but submitted to It
because they thought that il would lead
to the formation of new party, which
would accomplish something along the
lines OF monetary reform. In other
words, it was thought to be one of the
unfortunate incidents Of that political
chaos III the midst Of which we found
ourselves when we felt constrained to
leave the old party because of the 6nan-
cial plank.
But whatever difference of opinion
may have existed; whatever Of hesitancy
or faltering three years ago, there should
be none now, Fusion is not only
failure viewed in the light of expediency
and as mere question of machine poll
tics, but is puerile Characterless system
of politics, and no measure of reform,
however great, can succeed by or through
Its aid. So far as l am concerned,
shall not again support any kind of
fusion. include in this, that fusion
now sometimes limited at. the fusion be-
tween the gold and silver republicans.
A little reflection shows how might; Y
fusion has wrought for the silver republ :
cans. Towne destroyed in Minnesota,
Hartman traded out and Mantle retirt d
iii Montana, Dubois defeated in Idaho
and Cannon butchered in Utah--we have
the largest political graveyard for the
length of time we have been i'll business,
OF any political organization in the his
tory of the world. Our allies said 10 us
i'll the beginning, "be thou faithful unto
death" but little did we dream OF lust
what they meant.
For myself, can see no reason for
change of views on the silver question
and believe that canvass would show
less than one per cent Of the silver re-
publicans have changed, 1t was not for
slight or trivial causes that the silver re-
publicans left the old party of whose
brilliant history they we're all proud.
They left because of a deepseated con-
viction that they were and are right
The men who constituted the silver re-
publican party IN its hrst fight, politically
revolutionized the state in 90 days, and
had they been satisfied to deal with
themselves and fought out this matter on
their own platform, they would today be
i'll control of the state. But that which
has disguised, disintegrated and dis
organized our party IS this constant
slobbering over the democrats. We have
practically lost our individuality as an
organization, by reason of the fact that
we have overlooked our own party in
our efforts to retain the affection of the
democrats-an affection which has at all
times been strong and abiding.
When Mr. Cannon was making his
fight in Utah. Mr.. Jones, in one of those
fits of blundering generosity toward
silver republicans which spasmodically
affects the gentleman from Arkansas,
sent telegram, which was published in
the Salt Lake Tribune, stating in sub
stance that Cannon would have joined
the democratic party long ago had il not
seemed better politics to appear to be a
silver republican. This must have been
a great surprise to silver republicans who
were mot on"
Again, when the democrats had their
dollar plate dinner in New York, which
was supposed to be a kind of reiuyeuatiup
feast for democracy, our national chair
man, Mr. Towne, sat at a seat of honor
and "spake as one having authority. :"
The silver republican organization, as
| such, was last in the melee, and the re-
frains which reached the outside world
told only of the worth of democracy.
In the last state convention we adopt
ed a silver republican platform. Before
the campaign had opened 10 days, almost
the entire platform had been repudiated
and the most rabid and radical democratic
speeches of the camraipn were made Inv
silver republicans.
Now for all this the democrats all hut
despise us. for no one can respect a per
son who paIayers and cringes and crawls
but fusion and fawning are about
SYNONYMOUS, We cannot hone to ac-
complish anytiup as party or an orpani.
zatiou so long as our leaders are constant
| ly talking of another party. In fact il
| begins TO look as if the silver republican
organization was simply organized for
the burmese of euablipu nart;es Ia secure
| nrefrrence ihrouvb the Democrats Marty
| il This is true w4 sbouId he adviead of :,
| in order that we ,Iav address ourselves
to that suniec, alonc--as no donb, u,e
| wouId
believe ,ho, nine ei,,e, ,o,,,,,;o.,s
, ont of len are in favor of upholdinv the