The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-11
SOME poptlIIsr OPINIONS.

Z. Mr. Isuatius Donneliy is by common
consent one of the most ;heronghsofns
craflks OF which that great assenblage Of
cranks, the PopuIist party, can boast.
Nevertheless, al their convention in Gin
cinnati on Wednesday last he said some
taings that were eminentiy true, onefsof
these being that the Democrats in 1896 only
wanted the Populists for their two mil
lions of votes: and yet this is mixture
of truth and error, if by the word Demo-
crat we include everybody who took part
in the deliberations of the Chicago Conven-
ton In 1926, for there were some as thor
oushgoing Populists acting a leading part
in that convention as even Donnelly or
PETER themselves. These, Of course.
wanted The Populst party for its piebaid
association of what they called principles,
and they would have been very glad to
tack the Democratic party on as a tau 10
the Populist party. But the real Demo-
Gratis who participated in that convention
wanted the Populist party. as Donneily
says, for their two millions Of votes. and
for that only. Donnely, Willie congratu-.
iating himself, therefore, that the conven-
ton that ne was then standing before had
separated the sheep from the goats, and
the "exuviae,'' as he called those at Sioux
Falls. was entirely in character, and it is
a subject OF congratulation to every one
that these Simon-pure cranks have dtsso-
ciated themselves from every one and are
now gone off into a flock all by them
selves. We think Mr.. Donnelly was
trine ssnsuine in declaring that the fu-
ture success of mankind hinges upon this
movement of the Populists, but mankind
can certainly congratulate itself on the
Populists having finally decided to so OFF TO
themselves and run the world in their
own way.
Mr.. Howard, of Alabama, who was made
temporary chairman Of that convention,
showed himself up also in fine style. de
had no use for the Hon. William ]. Bryan
He wanted it understood distinctly, that
the one great object which all mankind
must have in view, unless they would
enter that place where hope Is lett behind
was the active operation of government
printing presses in supplying the people
with irredeemable government promises to
pay money. Deprecating the great mis-
take of demanding the free coinage OF sill
YER he said: IA greater issue than TINS
is a paper currency issue directly by the
government itself. Let US plant ourselves
firmly upon this proposition, and while
not abandoning the cause of silver. let US
so forward to the more advanced and
more logical position"
This is one of the most candid acknowl-
edscments that we have ever known any
free cciner to make. Mr.. Howard owns
up frankly that demand for tn free
coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to L is
nothing in. its essence but a demand for
irredeemable fiat money, and he has the
manliness to throw Off all DISCUSSES and
come forward and say SO. If all OF his
other Populist associates, whether calling
themselves Populists or Democrats, had
had the frankness to make this demand
five years ago, the country would have
been spared a vast deal of most Injurious
agitation and many mea would now be
living in comfort who have been ruined by
the agitation for free silver.
But the Butler faction of Po2ulsts in
their convention were not much behind the
Middle-of- tne-Roaders. In his speech Mr..
Butler declared for the government owner
ship of trusts, and although not SO out
spoken, these Populists are also in favor
of plenty of prnting-press money. What
business have Democrats to be consorting
with either faction?
The country is disguised with Hannaism
and all that implies, ,and if the Demo-
cratic party would only abandon free sill
yer and nominate a conservative man it
would have an excellent chance to win in
November.
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