The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-08

IN consequence OF the inability or
the Associated Pcess TO carry the full
text Of this appeal by wire to the news
distributing centres. we send 1t direct
30 you.
Mr.. George f WAshburn, Of Boston,
President Bryan Club Of Msssachu'
setts. and Treasurer Peoples Party Ma
tional Committee, has issued the fol
lowing appeal
TO The REFORM FORCES OF THE coUN-
TRY.
The campaign Of 1900 was a contest
Of conscience against capital. Il was
the greatest struggle for human rights
since the days Of Jackson or Lincoln.
The reelection Of Mckinley was
triumph Of imperialism and the trust.
But our grand reform movement will
roll on TO ultimate victory.
The last two national campaigns have
taught US important lessons. We can
not longer put new wine into old bot.
ties - we cannot entrust new ideas TO
old leaders. The control OF the Demo.
cratic party will now revert to German,
Hill and Croker and the old machine
regime they represent. This will create
a cleavage between the reactionists
NTH old idaaa and the
REFORMERs WITH NEW IDEAS.
To succeed, our work must be on a
high political plAne-absolutely clean
and far above the mire Of machine
methods.
Il is beyond the range Of human
probability that Bryan will again be-
come the candidate Of the Democratic
party. Indeed it is admitted by the
leaders Of the New Democracy" that
he was defe Ated by Democrats to get
rid Of him. He will not surrender to
this element, even 20 be President. He
will not repudlate his record. He will
not disappoint bis friends. But he can
lead to victory new party. conducted
on safe and conservative, yet progress.
siVe lines.
Therefore, to hold what we have and
maintain our present momentum,
! NEW PARTY MUST BE FORMED.
It is the quickest road to ultimate
success We must have complete
union of the reform forces. They be-
long together. This canbe accomplished
by uniting the Bryan Democrats, Bryan
Republicans, Populists and other
smaller bodiel-to be led By the Man Of
the Hour, whoever he may be- Such o
movement would draw to itself the best
elements In the two old parties. This
would leave out the machine politicians
aud force them together as the party
Of the opposition, where they rightly
belong
Add TO this union Of reform forces
the strong personality and masterful
leadership Of Bryan, and history would
repeat itself in the rapid assembling OF
patriots to uphold and preserve the
national honor under the inspiration OF
A NEW CENTURY LINCOLN.
Such movement would arouse a pa'
triotic enthusiasm not equaled since
the msjestic uprising Of 1860
Although unsuccessful at the polls
Bryan Is a mightier man today than
his successful opponent. He is the
greatest political crusader the world
has ever seen. He stands alone He is
enough of a political genius 20 become
the founder of a great new party, even
as Jefferson was the founder Of the
Democratic and Lincoln Of the Repub'
licsn party. Millions Of men would
enthusiastically rally TO bis standard
under these new conditions. lt Is not
extravagant to say that Bryan could
thus hold two.thirds Of the Democratic
party aud very soon attract at least one
third Of the Republican party. These
together with the other reform forces
would give Us
A MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS
of the county before another election.
I believe that had such q party been
formed four years ago. Bryan would
have triumphed at this time. There
we're hundreds Of thousands Of Repub'
licans who would glady have voted for
him, who would not move into the
Democratic, camp or help restore that
party TO power. We lost because we
thus failed TO make inroads into the
Republican ranks.
Accordingly propose that at an early
date we have conference Of the lead
ers Of the parties referred TO, In the
central part Of the country, for the
purpose of efscting an immediate
union, that we may begin at once the
organization Of the new party. These
forces should promptly come together.
WE MUST UNITE OR DIsINTEGRATE.
The sooner this initial step is taken
the better, so that this great new move
ment may begin with the dawn Of TIE
New Century
therefore invite editorial comment
and an expression Of views by letter
from the leaders interested. that ! may
give publicity TO those views through
the press, and thereby secure 9 consen.
sus Of opinion regarding the plan pro.
posed