The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-08
SEATTLE. TUESDAY, MAY 9.


The conclusion is Irresistible that
every member of the Peoples party who
lays claim to consistency or loves a
principle higher than ashope OF ofYice
must render his sympathy and his allie
glance to the faction that is designated
by the picturesque and uncompromising
term ''midde-of-th the road" To It's con-
vention. which meets at Cincinnati this
week. will turn for their representation
and their guidance all those Populists
who have any title to sincerity. If the
TO perform, its satisfaction cannot be
found otherwhere than In the assembly
Of those who alone stand for the ideas
upon which 1t was founded.
The st-Intelligencer does not believe
In the principles upon which the Peoples
party was buit 1t does not believe in
the principles OF the Democratic party.
at a time when that party possessed
principles. But II always respects prin-
ciples. whether they coincide with Its
own Views or not. Sincerity. earnest
ness. singleness OF motive in public life.
these arc the qualities that save a
people and make them great. We have
little fear of incorrect ideas OF govern
ment and wrong programmes OF public
policy in the long run. For the human
mind and heart are always open to the
influences OF instruction. and he who
seeks truth will ultimately find 1t. Given
honesty, we can trust the remainder to
time. to experience, to the broadening
effect OF a mans sincere devotion to a
cause.
For this reason we regard the decay
OF the Peoples party and the disappear
ance of old-fashioned Democracy as
public misfortunes. Both of these par
ties were utterly wrong, in our juds
n,ent, and we were ready to fight them
20 a finish In behalf OF our own political
beliefs. BUT both OF them were sincere
Bach proposed. In Its mistaken way, 70
put into effect policies that represented
Its conviction OF the highest welfare Of
the state. Such a party may make
serious. disastrous mistakes. but at
least II Is capable OF learning. A mere
mercenary combinatiop. having an eye
the division OF the spells. is without
present Inspiration or the hope of future
worth. IT is the meanest and lowest
manifestation Of political activity. We
have heard much Of p,Itccracy. and the
word stands fer sordid and hateful
thought; but even plutocracy would Re
better than the reign OF those who have
all the greed OF the plutocrat all his
scern OF finer hopes and motives. with
out so much 49, his knowledge or his
grasp The idea OF political fusion
stands at the very bottom of the moral
scale.
The many earnest and honest men
who Joined originally In the Peoples
party movement are coming at last 70
see this Tact They have locked on while
their party was dehased and degraded
They have seen II made tn. prey in state
and natlon Of men calling themselves
Democrats who care nothing for its
ideas. Taoy have seen Its character de-
stroyed. it's organization demorailsed. its
very name sscrifced--and for what2 Fer
nothing on earth except that number
OF political Adventures, calling them
selves now by one name and now by an
other, should turn IT'S voting power TO
their personal advantage. What. let any
thoughtful Popuiist inquire. has hts par
ty or its principles gained in any state
By It's sahmereence in Democracy ?
What would 1t sain by the election of
MFR. Bryanr The losses from sacrifice of
identity and complsisant waving OF
principles are so many and great that
they need no enumeration.
New point and emphasis aHe given