The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-24


believes it possible to elect a Populis
President at this time, but the Populis
party may be able to determine whether {
Democrat or Republican will be elected
Mr.. Chairman. the Populist Convention
which your committee represents though
it better to share with the Democrats ii
the honor Of securing some of the re-
forms desired by your party than TO beal
the odium OF remaining neutral i'll this
great crisis, or OF giving open or secret
aid to the Republican party, which OPP
poses all of the reforms for which the
Populists contend.
The Need of Patience.
Those who labor to improve the con-
ditions which surround their fellow-men
are apt to become impatient, but they
must remember that it takes time to work
out great reforms. Let me Illustrate by
calling your attention to the slow growth
of public opinion in support of a propo-
sition to which there has been practically
no opposition. President johnson. in 1858
recommended a constitutional amendment
providing for the election of United States
Senators b. direct vote OF the people. but
his recommendation met with no response.
About twelve years later General Weaver
cure the passage Of a resolution submit
ting such an amendment, but his efforts
were futile
In 1892 the resolution recommended by
President johnson ard urged by Repre-
sentative Weaver finally passed the House
of Representatives but it has not yet
reached vote in the Senate. And now,
after eight years OF public discussion,
the proposition for the first time receives
the endorsement of the national cenven-
tion Of cne of the great parties
If the Fusion forces win a victory this
fall we shall see this reform accomplished
before the next Presidential election, and
with its ACCOMPLISHMENT the people viii
find 1t easier to secure any remedial leg
islation which they may desire. But. how
haiting has been the progress, Holland
has said.
Heaven is not gained BY single bound.
We build the ladder by which we rise,
From the loWly eaIth to the vaulted skies.
And We mount TO it, summit round by round.
and so it is with great social and po-
litieal movements. Great problems are
solved slowly, but struggling humanity
marches on, step by step, content if at
each nightfall it can pitch its tent on a
little higher ground.
The New Problems.
Il have called attention 10 the issues
which brought the Democrats and Popu-
lists together and which justified their CO.
operation during the last four years. Let
me now invite your attention to new
questions which would justify corporation
at this time, even though we differed upon
all economic questions. It is not our faul.
that these new questions have been thrust
into the arena CT pciitics; it is net our
fault that the people have been called upon
to consider questions OF eTer-incre1sins
magnitude. In 1890 the tariff question was
the principal subject Of discussion, and
the Democratic party coltendsd that the
masses were carrying a burden of unjust
and unnecessary taxes.
In 1882 the tariff question was still the
principal issue between the Democratic
and Republican parties, although in the
West and South the money question was
assuming greater and greater proportions,
and the Fopulists were contending that
our monetary system was more responsible
than our tariff laws for the depression in
agriculture and the distress existing among
the wage esrneTs- In 1896 the whole qGes-
tion of taxation became of secondary i'm
portance because OF the increased boldness
of those who opposed the gold and silver
coinage OF the Constitution.
When the Republicans declared at st.
Louis that the restoration of bimetailisn
in this country. although desirable, was
impossible without the aid of the leading
commercial nations OF the Old World. the
Populists ard the Silver Republicans Joined
with tie Democrats in asserting the right
and duty OF the American people to shape
their financial system for themselves, re-
gardless OF the action OF other nations. Ths
failure of the Republican party 20 secure
international bimetsllism, and its open
espoussl of the gold standard, still keep
the money question in politics, but no eco
roTnic question can compare in Importance
with 4 question which concerns the prin-
ciples and structure OF the Government.
Systems Of taxation can be changed with
less difficulty than financial systems, and
financial systems can be altered with
less danger and less disturbance to the
than the vital doctrines upon
which government rests.
One Republic or Two.
"In the early sixties when we were en-
gagged in a contest which was to determina
whether We should have one Republic or
two, questions OF france were lost sight
Of Silver was at premium over gold, and
both gold and silver were at a premium
over greenbacks and bank notes, but tho
people could not afford to divide over the
money question in the presence Of great
eT issue. And so today we are engaged in
a CONTROVERSY which viii determine wheth-
er we are to have a Republic in which
the Government derives its jus. powera
from the consent Of the governed. or an
Empire, in which brute force is the only
recognized source of power.
In a government where the people rule
rgrr .
remedied. but when once the doctrine OF
self-goyernment is impaired and might is
substituted for right there is no certainty
that any question wiz be settled correct
". 4 colonial policy would SO occupy the
people with the consideration OF the na
tons foreign policy that domestic ques
tions would be neglected Who viii haul
down the fag?' or Stand by the Presl-
dent would be the prompt response to
every criticism of the Administration, and
corruption and special privilege wouid
thrive under the cover Of patriotism.
1t is not strange that the Popuiists
would oppose militarlsm and Imperialism,
for both are antagonistic 10 the principles
which Populists apply to other questions.
Looking at the questions from the stand
point OF the producer Of wealth, rather
than from the standpoint Of The specula-
tor. the Popullst recognizes in mnitarism
a constant and increasing burden. The
army worm. which occasionally destroys
a field of wheat, is not nearly so danger
Gus an enemy to the farmer as a large
standing army, which invades every fe d
of industry and exacts toll from every
crop.
Dangers ef Miiitnrism.
IF 600 men are Withdrawn from the
ranks of the producers and placed as a
burden upon the backs of those who re-
main, 1t must mean longer hours, harder
work, and greater sacrifice for these who
toll, and the farmer. while he pays more
than his share OF the expenses OF the army.