The representative., 1900-09-20
Taikinx 1hinxs cesllx.

Some Of our friends express surprise
that we are taking tho present cam
paign 20 coolly and are not worrying
ourself over the prospect Of the coun-
try going to the ID this fall.
Some years ago We were unhappy
: because people would not see their
! real interest and that Of their wives
and children as plainly as 1t appeared
to US. but Of late years we have been
! cultivating more patient frame Of
mind. Our convictions are as strong
as ever, that there must be a radical
change in our economies, II the people
are to be free and the republic Is to
survive the assaults of both old par
ties, but the masses will not believe 1t,
or are too craven to act upon 1t, and
hence what we cannot prevent we have
made up our mind to endure until the
country becomes aroused to the danger
that confronts it. And, II indeed, the
people comprehend the situation and
have not the courage to fight for their
right, they don't deserve any better
fate and it is useless for us to vex our
selves over 1t.
Again, we have seen so many men
enlist in the reform movement with ap-
parent zeal and earnestness only to gain
a selfish advantage, and when attained,
they scruple not to betray their old
associates into the hands of the enemy,
that our disgust has woefully blunted
our enthusiasm. In the present can
vass there is nothing to inspire the
genuine reformer to do his duty, except
the reflection that he cannot be honest
with himself and faithful to the best
interests of his family and. his coun-
try and support either Bryan or Nc
Kinley and as every man who has read
the Messenger for the last decade
knows this fact, it is unnecessary that
we should rend our clothes and tear
our hair, over the practical certainty
that Mckinley will be elected, Bryan
defeated, and the Populist ticket, that
would do something for the people, Il
permitted, almost wholly ignored.
Sometimes, in our musings, the
thought passes through our mind: Pos
sibly we are mistaken, and things are
not so bad as they seem, but rein
vestigation always brings us to. the
conclusion that there is no permanent
relief to be obtained from the bank
monopoly. until national banks are
abolished and Uucle Sam issues his own
irredeemable treasury notes receivable
for all debts and taxes: that the trans
portation lines of the country must be
owned and operated by the govern
ment; that trusts can be destroyed in
no other way than by government own
ership of ali public utilities, and that we
shall never have a government OF the
people, for the people and by the peo-
pie until the principles of the Initiative,
referendum and imperative mandate, as
advocated by the Populists, shall be put
into practical operation.
These, our solemn convictions, we
have endeavored to instill into the pub
lie mind for 10! these many years, but
the majority turn a deaf ear. We have
therefore concluded the people don't
want to be saved by our plan and w
ought to cease to annoy them with our
solicitations, and then If we should be
wrong, it would be cruel to continue to
attempt to thrust our errors down their
unwilling throats. And this is why we
have resolved to let the campaign "wag
as It will' and take things coolly this
good year of our Lord, 1900.-Frank
Burkitt.