The representative., 1900-05-24
West Virginia Heard From.

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Shinnston, West Va. May Z, 1900.
Brother Ignatius Donnelly.
Dear Friend and Co-Worker in the
Cause of the People: I can't be at
the convention on account of poverty,
am one of the victims Of the contrac-
tion of the currency, and as I can't
come, feel it my duty to- say some
thing to encourage our true friends.
who have showed such an unselfish de-
votion to the cause of God and the peo-
pie that they will not be sidetracked
back into slavery to the old parties, the
agents of the money power for the spoils
of Office.
In rejecting, think I could say moth
ing better than an extract from a let
ter to Bro. Norton:
Brother Norton: Yes, it rejoices my
heart beyond the expression of words
to know that you have returned to
work again with your old-time zeal and
patriotism in the cause Of the people,
and from my heart I say, God bless you
to do greater good for them in the future
than you have in the past" which would
be wonderful.
l must admit that it would be justice
to the money to demonetize both gold
and silver, but l think that it would
not be wisdom to do so or put that
plank in our national platform. Re-
member that we cannot do anything by
legislation to liberate the people until
we, by union in the middle of the road
by our sovereign duty, restore the gov
ernment back into the hands of the peo-
pie.
I, myself, have strong reasons in be-
lieving in trinity of full legal tender
dollars-a1l three made by law out Of
paper, gold and silver, controlled and
loaned direct to the people by the gov
ernment.
I have always been opposed to fusion,
and felt at first that it was the only
thing that would hold our movement
back from national power The money
power knew the same thing. That is
the reason it has helped in SO many
plans and plots and in states and coun-
pool of destruction and disorganization.
of destruction and disorganization.
After fusion had destroyed the Green
back and Labor party, and we organized
the Peoples party at Cincinnati,
thought that our friends would surely
be wise and profit in the future from the
errors Of the past and always keep in
the middle of the road" But under
the captivating guise of union and with
the name Of Bryan, they decoyed and
sidetracked our convention out of the
middle of the road. But l think that
every true patriot of the Peoples party
today is ready to come back to the mid
die OF the road and stay until victory
crowns our cause.
So let us, as brothers of the greatest
and grandest cause Of the ages, forgive
one another's mistakes, fall in ranks and
march on, surmounting all obstacles in
our way, marking time to the tune and
truth Of the Star Spangled Banner, to the
capitol of our country and there carry
out the great principles of the national
economy taught by the spirit of liberty
and the light of the Nineteenth century.
will close this extract of letter by
now saying that truth is not only de-
manding that every Middle -of-th Road
er stand firm as granite at his post OF
duty, but is calling ever voter In this
God-gfven republic to come to this union
of sovereign duty and help redeem
government Of the people. by the people
and for the people
God bless ard guide our convention q