The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-10


upon the platform
The delegates and alternates had been
filing steadily into the hall. All the dele
cations entered quietly. with the excep-
ton Of those from Minnesota and Ne
braslxa, both OF which evoked much ap-
plause as they came marching down the
adsles. The Minnesota men carried ban
ners, and a large shield upon which was
inscribed Bryan and Towne."
A large number of the delegates carried
tin horns, and made their presence mani
fest by ear-splitting toots. The Ne
braska men, by all odds the largest dele
cation In the convention. having all the
aiternatee present, came In close on the
heels of the Minnesota men. They also
carried flags and waved them vigorously
as they entered. Their arrival was greet
ed with cheers.
Opened With Prayer.
After the band OF the Fffty-frst Iowa,
which occupied a stand at the west end of
the tent. had rendered a patriotic selec-
ton. Chairman Butler advanced to the
edge OF his table and brought down his
gavel three times. and sad:
Before entering upon the regular busi-
ness OF tho convention, we will listen TO
a prayer by Bishop OGorman."
The bishop reah hts invocation, which
was short, well expressed and appropri-
ate.
Chairman Butler, who had remained
standing throughout the invocation, call
ed on Secretary Edgerton to read the call
for the convention. which he did.
When Secretary Fdgerton had concluded
the reading the band played a medley of
patriotic Mrs. THE Red, White and
Blue Yankee Doodle" 'Dixie" and
THE star-spangled Banner'' being receiv-
cd each In turn with wild enthusiasm.
After n song by the Minnehaha Club. a
local organization, Senator Butler intro
,.1 rn 49, 1stxth mol bot tyh ",
behalf OF his state, welcomed the conven-
ton to South Dakota He spoke In part
as follows
Gen. Lees speech.
AT Omaha, on judy 4. 1892. the Peoples
party of the United States was born.
It was ana is the natural and inevitable
outgrowth OF dominant monopoly. whose
evils had become so clear and gross as to
arouse the Indignation and challenge the
resistance Of every thoughtful man. and
whose insoient assumption OF political
power brought home to the farmers and
mechanics OF the country the danger of
their position with such great force that
a contest In the political arena became a
defensive necessity with the nation.
.'The great movement of that and previ-
Gus years arose from agricultural discon-
tent IL was induced by bank and rail-
road extortion. chattel mortgage slavery
and brutal disregard by public servants
tnfertStH
OF our Industrial structure. 1t grew in re-
Spouse to the great natural law of resist
ance 10 tyranny, to the same patriotic
impulse which produced the American rev.
oIution. the French revolution and every
other profound protest OF the people for
their rights.
Heroism of Boers and Fi1tpinos.
ut In sean today in the splendid heroism
Of the South African republics and the re-
..Ft 1o trip ~ "A N
can yoke bought from Spain.
There was a place for Popilism in the
politics of the country; II was and Is a
political necessity. II has filled it's MACE
M advance guard to the army OF the peo-
pie with conspicuous ability. courage and
patriotism. II is not a revolutionary. but
4 reform party. 1t has sought TO lnsti-
tute changes In our economical and po-
litical fabric which would render the ex-
.sting system toerable. 1t has repre-
scented an honest attempt to improve the
unwholesome conditions. and has never
faltered or wavered in it's purpose 1t has
lived 10 see some OF It's ideas embodied In
the laws OF most of the states. and to
winners the general acceptance by nearly
all the people OF It's fundamental doc
trines.
south Dakota's POpuiism.
South Dakota has always been on the
firing line In this movement She stands
there To-Day. pfoudly earning ner right TO
leadership in the battle. resting her claims
to leadership upon her achievements We
have given the United States practical IL
iustration OF the ability or a people to en-
force obedience from their representa-
tives I'm the Legislature. We have oiaoed
the initiative and referendum upon our
statutes and in our constitution, and We
can now say what the law shall be. We
can run our representatives, instead OF
being run by them. We are masters they
are servants. We have more nearly ap-
preached the Jefrersonian idea than any
other state in the Union, and our people
realize their power. We are proud of this
monument TO the party's fidelity to tho
cause OF human liberty. proud OF its dis
cernment and aggressive adherence to tho
tenets OF political freedom at a time when
this great law was In the balance.
division and disunion In tho face OF
the powerfully eorrupting imperial eie-
ments which would seize the Democratic
party II they could. and, falling In that
would buy another victory for the Re
publicans az was done In 1896. with the
contributions OF the trusts and monopol-
lists. would be folly short OF criminal
ar the Democratic party shall prove
unfaithful to the trusts imposed upon IT,
the Peoples party, or its offspring. will
become dominant In the affairs OF the
country And, after all. principles are
more precious 60 Populists than party
pride and white we are proud of our
name, proud OF our great work, proud
Of our hardships and triumphs. We regard
more highly stiil the principles for which
we have fought. and We shall not meanly
fail with any organization which seeks
honestly TO asAist us in the defense OF
our economic right and political liberties.
I'VE may protect postcriJy from des-
potism IL postcrity Is left in possession
Of the ballot and the guarantees OF the
constitution. but with capital in complete
control of the government, ull-hlowu Inn
nerialism giaring at MS from the White
House and In congress- our immediate
duty Is 20 bring the country back 10 its
old ideas. 20 install In the administration
of the republic men who believe In the
principles Of the Declaration of Indopend-
enco. who regard the flag for what II
repreaents and who will protect our po-
utisal rtahts at the risk OF their ives
-. .n.-.....h. ti,.., tl,nN alannran WITH ~