The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-03-21

gressional fusion between Democrats
and Populists In oklahoma has netted
the Democrats nothing but mess Of
fine frenzy, denunciations, an ungird.
ing Of pious ioins and broken prom-
ises On the other hand the Populists
have gained Callahan, Peruna Gala
han, who migrated 70 congress, not as
g free silver or Democratic congreOs.
man, but as a Populist. and who voted
with PETER and Simpson on the eff
cacy of communism and Coke's tonic.
After two years OF Callahan the Popu.
lists in convention cried for mUre Cal
lshan, and, dlsregarding previous
agreements, fought all night for the
human Peruna testimonial. Demo-
Gratis remained firm, however, and
Keaton, a Democrat, was nominated.
Immediately the Populists sulxed and
Keaton was beaten, Again, after two
years, the old fusion cry is raised.
Populists chew the rag and want the
earth. and few Democrats. with eyes
on coveted jobs, are disposed to give It
to than. What folly
In opposing fusion the LEADER does
not wish to especially antagonize the
Populists. In showing up Populistic
shortcomings it merely wishes to rec
call Democrats to their duty. There
is no sense in congressional fusion
nothing is to be gained by It. Fusion
is merely betrayal Of party pride and
trust The line between Democrats
aud Populists on national questions 10
so indefinite as to be practically inde-
terminable. Why, then, should De-
mocracy surrender its name and iden-
tity merely to pander to the whims Of
few men who want public jobsP The
fusion outfit should be ignored 1t is
it's own antidote. Sensible Populists--
the rank aud file-are under the Dem
ocratic banner now, and they are sat
isied with Democracy in it's pristine
purity. Christian charity has expand
ed to an amplitude sufficient to enable
even the narrowest of part:sRus to
contemplate with unruffied serenity
those acts which ought naturally to
result from changes of mind, however
sudden and unexpected they may be.
Government by parties pre-supposes
inter-party migration. The theory is
and 1t is not always bad--thAt when
q citizen is conyincedlthA the party to
which he belongs has outlived it's use
fulness, he will cease to desire its as
tendency in national affairs and will
go over to the party which is fegnant
and stands for what he believes. Just
so with the rank and fle of the Popu~
list party iing Oklahoma. Knowing that
the policies Of the Democratic party
are just and right and embrace his
creed the Popullst has joined Demoe-
racy. 1t Is only the territorial organ-
ization OF Populist Office seekers who
stir up the fuss This organization
for several years has Gmet at stated
periods, divided among themselves the
| mountainous WAACA ShoiA bS Ndbincu at
the conventions, and all that has been
desired OF the common Populistn is
that he shall take enough time off on
election day to vote the ticket so kind
ly arranged for him. But the ''com-
mon Populist" is not common this
year. He has been thinking for him
self. When the masses are profound
ly stirred there are few voters who
find II imprachcRble-to go with one or
the other of the two old parties, who
are the only actual competitors,
Therefore the territorial orgHniza-
tior of Populist office seekers" will
receive scAnt recognition this year.
What is now the duty OF. the hour ID
. general beating OF the shrubbery
and the awakening OF the Democratic
hosts OF the territoryi a shaking of Of
the apathy and lethargylwhich have
characterized the great mass of voters
The rank and file of Democracy car
gain nothing by giving away TO dis
gust and inanition because of the dem
onstrations, furtive sAllies and temp
estuous forays Of fuzzy.throated anC
chronic place-hunters who yell fusior
and treachery and betrayal Of faiti
whenever uncovetous Democrats
speak up for the preservation Of Dem
ocracy. There is no profit in politica
iockeyipQ and IL ia high time for Dem