The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-20
The Progressive Peoples Party.


The Progressive Peoples Party.
The middle of-the- Populists of
Kansas effected permanent state or
ganization Wednesday and adopted a
new name-the Progressive Peoples
old one. II does not carry with it the
whole significance of the old term. Pro
gressfve" may cover multitude of adj
vanced notions. having or not having
something to do with Populism. Mid
dle-of-the-road" had a sincere ring to
it. 1t meant undying fidelity to the
principles of the Omaha platform. 1t
signified freedom from debasing alli-
ances. fixity of purpose. power to resist
the alluring offers OF those who would
tempt the party from its real mission,
hostility to those who talked reform
from low motives. and resolute de-
termination to stand by the old doc
trines come what might
1t became evident long ago that the
middle-of-the readers would be under
the necessity of effecting some sort of
an organization IL the issues born at
Omaha were to be kept alive The con-
trolling element of the Populist party
has wandered as far from the old Pop
ulistic highway as the Bryan Democrat
has from the traditional path Of Democ-
racy. Cardinal principles have been lost
sight Of and, as party, 1t bears but
slight resemblance to the organization
of former years. The prevailing Popu-
lism. that which is to be preached at
cred relic of the crusade begun at
Omaha. a relic that has been kept alive
by amalgamation with the lowest form
of Democracy. The product represents
all that was least worthy in the two or
ganizations. 1t is fusion as repulsive to
the sincere Jeffersonian Democrat as
II is to the original Omaha man who
stands by his original platform.
The straight-out Populist may be JUS
titled in thinking that those who hold to
the old faith are in need of new
name. 1t must be admitted that the
term Populist carries with It something
of reproach. 1t Is common now to asso-
ciate Populists with those who have
brought so much disgrace upon Pop
ulism, and not with the sincere
and earnest workers who have been
willing to labor in the heat OF
the day without hope of personal
reward. The Populist party Is judged
by the men who have attained
prominence, held public position and
outlined the course which the party
should follow. Necessarily the judg-
ment passed has not been one highly
whole, for those high In the party coun-
ellis have been for the most part mere
political Adventures or disappointed Of
flee seekers who had failed to get what
they wanted from the older parties To
speak plainly. these low principled fell
lows have worked the better class OF
Populists in order to accomplish their
own personal ends. and now that they
see Populism waning. they are willing
to throw overheard their old associates
OF the stricter sort II by go doing they
can effect some new combination that
will result again In profit TO themselves.
IL is no wonder that the otd-time
Omaha man wishes to shake himself
free from these humbug Populists who
have been playing so long the role of
political pirates. They were never sin
cere. and II they proclaimed themselves
Populists IL was because they had lost
their standing. responsibility and hope
OF place with the older organizations.
and saw that II they we're 10 operate
successfully II must be with the new
party The most Of them have been
found out. and that Is why the sincere
mlddie-of-the- road man desires 10 cus
loose from them.