The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-05-31
euneasy Lies the Head. y

Republicans are greatly concerned
that the Sioux populists should, in
nominating Bryan and Towne, have
even the appearance of debating to
democracy. Anything which cements
the cooperation of silver democrats,
silver republicans and populists very
naturally disturbs the republican soul.
The only good" populists are the
midroaders who refuse to co-operae
with democracy and who thus serve re-
publican purposes.
So far as there is any dictation at all,
it is in the interest of success, and not
of the populist party, especially since
no populist was nominated. Indeed,
the Sioux Falls populists exhibited a
very unusual and unselfish patriotism,
and the only purpose was to have dem
ocracy show itself equally commendable
and thus secure success for the peoples
ticket. BY no amount Of figuring will
two candidates give one each to three
parties. The Sioux Falls populists
simply withdrew all claim in the inter
est of silver democrats andrepublicans.
And it was not only patriotic, but the
best thing to do. OF course, demo-
cracy must have the head of the ticket,
and it was already settled that Bryan
would be that head. After that it was
best that silver republicans have the
tall, for the draw is of course to be
made from the republican party, OF
course those who care only for party
success without regard towhat follows,
say nominate a goldbug tail, and shape
your platform to suit both. Try that,
however, and you'll find that demo-
cracy had its last chance in '9G.
But you say why didn't Sioux Falls
populists trust democracy and wait.
Well, perhaps, both populists and sill
yer republicans have an indistinct re-
collection of having wanted in '96. All
three conventions were in Chicago at
the same time; two trusting to dem
ocracy which was so intent on having a
straight ticket that it went to Nova
Scotia, or thereabouts, for a tail in al
most every respect antagonistic to the
head. Your humble-cum- tumble had
the honor of urging the nomination of
a silver republican at that time, but of
course Chicago enthusiasm needed no
help-it was going to sweep the earth
of it's own heft. 1t sometimes happens
that the country is not as unanimous as
the convention.
If democracy is ambitious to absorb
silver republicans and Sioux Falls
populists the very first step is to treat
them as already democrats by giving
nominations, especial when they add
chances of success in the interest of the
great plain people of the country. 1t
will be dangerous for democracy to re-
peat its selfishness of '96, for its voters
want success for the sake of legislation
and not for the offices which only the
few get.
NoTE- Wonder would it be too much
for congressman from East Tennessee
il we were to expect of them that they
impress on claim commissioners at
Washington the fact that union men
here during the war were obliged to
trade with the confederate up to the
time they were forced to refugee; and
that this refugeeing was the final proof
of unionism if they went behind the
union army. If man refused to rent
houses or sell stuffs to the confederates
perhaps he went to prison where he
must stay or go to the confederate
army. Would that have helped the
union cause. F. j. RIPLEY.
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