The representative., 1900-09-13
WHEN TO SWEAR OFF.


rumor that some prominent Populist
will this election vote the old party
ticket. In our own state splurge head
lines have made it appear that such
loyal Populists as Charlie Hopkins, L.
c. Long, Capt. A. H. Nelson and others
had abandoned the convictions of a
lifetime and gone back into one Of the
old parties. The reports are essential
ly, grossly misleading. We have per-
sonally talked with each of these men
and many others who are of similar
state of mind, and for the in
formation of our readers, and
in justice to these men, we
deem 1t proper to say that none of
them have renounced single Populist
tenet. On the contrary, they are plac-
ing especial stress upon the Omaha
declaration that both old parties are
frauds. both guilty and chargeable with
misgovernment.
In their opinion practical reforms
have temporarily so completely drop
ped out of sight and been subordinated
to partisan strife and scramble for
power that they have lost hopes of re-
form for the present and are led to
choose between two great dominant
parties, both of which they still regard
as ever-growing evils and still to be
measured by the Omaha declaration. If
this is consolation for Republicans or
Democrats, and occasion for splurge
headlines, let all the honor be theirs.
We appreciate the feelings of these
Populists. they are noble men and have
fought the good fight and when oppor-
tune time comes will be ready to fight
again. They have not abandoned con-
victions or lost courage, but have SIM
ply yielded to the inevitable, as they
look at the situation.
We shall at no time have words of
censure for such as these men. If they
are in error it is error of the head and
not of the heart, and many thousands
of American patriots and best citizens
will follow in their footsteps
One kindly word we would urge with
these, our brothers. We would ask
that it be remembered that no vote cast
for principle and for right was ever
lost. Think of this, brothers, and deny
or challenge the statement if you can.
For several decades the Prohibitionists
have cast this kind of vote. Steadily
they have gained accessions in num-
bers and more important still, the
power for good among our young peo-
pie of the temperance agitators and the
great Woman's Christian Temperance
union is beyond human estimate.
If all Prohibitionists at each close
national election had abandoned their
ticket and principles to engage in the
closer and fiercer battle the loss to the
cause of temperance would have been
irretrievable.
If all Populists, or all Socialists,
should adopt as rule of action the
practice of voting at each close election
with one of the two chief contestants,
third parties must all cease to exist,
and the sham battle between the two
old frauds become incessant, intermin-
able.
Many of our friends undoubtedly re-
solve as they go to the ballot box that
this shall be their last vote for wrong.
To sr1h we would say that the drinking
man who has moral stamina to declare
that yesterdays drink was his last and
stick to it. is a grand and noble sue
cess, while the man who says just one
more drink and / will swear off is a
pitiable failure. Swear of with your
vote Of SO and '98, and vote like man
In 1900. e. A. T.