The representative., 1900-11-29
OUR NEXT STEP.
What Shall 1t Bet

your view OF the following plan In
order that We may promptly procure the
secure the publication Of this appeal in your
local papers?
TO THE REFORM FORCES OF THE
COUNTRY
Ihe campaign of 1900 was a contest of
conscience. against capital. 1t was the
greatest struggle for human rights since
the days of Jackson or Lincoln. The re-
election Of Mckinley was triumph for I'm
perlalism and the Trust. But our grand
reform movement will roll on to ultimate
victory. The propaganda work accom-
pllshed is well worth the COST
Ihe last two national campaiens have
taught us important lessons. We can
not longer put new wine into old bot
'ies; we cannot entrust new ideas to
old leaders, The control of the Demo-
cratic party will now revert to German,
HlIl and Croker, and the old machine re-
cleavage between the reactionists with
old ideas and the
REFORMERS WITH NEW IDEAS.
10 succeed. our work must be on high
polltlca! plane-absolutely clean and far
ABOVE the mire of machine methods
II is beyond the range Of human proba-
bllity that Bryan will again become the
candidate of the Democratic party In
deeo, 1t is admitted by the leaders of the
New democracy that he was defeated BY
democrats to get rid Of him. He will not
surrender to this element, even to be presi-
dent. He will not repudiate his record.
he VIII not disappoint his friends. But
ne can lead to victory new party. con-
Quoted on safe and conservative. vet pro-
gressive lines
Therefore. to hold what we have and
maintain our present momentum a new
party must be formed 1t is the Quick
est road to ultimate success. The mere
thought OF fusion in the future is intoI-
erab!e. We must have a complete union
OF the reform forces or complete marty
lnaependence This union can be accom-
pilsned by uniting the Bryan Democrats.
Bryan Republicans, Populists and other
smaller bodies-to be led by the Man of
the Hour, whoever he may be- Such a
movement would draw to itself the best
elements in the two old parties. This
would ieave out the machine politicians and
force them together as the party of the
opposition. where they rightly belong.
AS the fopulists have proved their low
atty, nonor and valor in the field and at
the polls, and have thus risen to every
emergency and discharged every obligation.
% lave we not rlgnt to demand new align
ment. new conditions. and mutual leader
snip with the forces that shall const,
tute the new party!
Add to this union Of reform forces the
strong personality and masterful leader
snip OF a Bryan and history would repeat
10 uphold and preserve the national honor
under the inspiration of
A NEW CENTURY LINCOLN.
oucn movement would arouse pa
trlotlc enthusiasm not equaled since the
majestic uprising of 1860.
Although unsuccessful at the polIs Rrvar
is mightier man today than his success
III! opponent. He is the greatest politi-
cal crusader the world has ever seen He
stands alone He is enough of poiti-
cal genius to become the founder of
great new party. even as Jefferson was tho
founder of the Democratic and Lincoln of
the republican party. Millions of men
would enthusiastically rally around him
State after state would swing to his stand
ard The West could be quickly reclaimed
II IS not extravagant to say that, under
thes new conditions, Bryan could hold two
thirds of the Democratic party and very
soon attract at least one third of the Re-
puoiiedn party. IheSe, together with the
other reform forces, would give us
A MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS
OF the country before another election 1
Deileve that had such a party been formed
four years ago, Bryan would have triumnhed
at this time. There were hundreds of
thousands of Republicans who would gladlv
rave voted for him, who would not moys
INTO the Democratic camp or help restore
tnat party TO power We lost, because VIC
thus failed to make inroads in the Re-
publican ranks.
Accordingly l propose that at an earlv
GATE we have conference of the leaders
OF the parties referred to, in the central
part OF the country, for the purpose OF
erecting an immediate union, that we NAV
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 his great new movement
may begin with the dawn of the New Cen
tury. N" oen
l therefore invite an expression NJ tho
views, by letter, from the leaders inter
ested' that may give publicity to those
views through the press, and thereby Sc
cure consensus of opinion regarding the
plan proposed. '1o
GEORGE F. WASHRJrPN
President Bryan Club of Massachusetts ona
treasurer Peoples Party National Com
mittee. ~
Boston. Mass, Nov. 49, 1900.
Inc foregoing is from the pen of q
man high up in the councils of our par
ty, and like the utterances of ex-Gov
ernor Waite and John P. Altgeld. con-
tains much valuable information.
Mr. Washburn starts out with a plea
Tor union of all reform forces in ono
party, to be led by the man of the hour,
whoever he may be-
We believe this position a strong one.
out, proceeding further, he attempts
to show that Bryan is that man of the
hour, and in our opinion materially
weakens his argument. 1t is likely that
Bryan might so shape his course as to
become the man of the hour, but there
is much doubt as yet as to what course
Bryan will pursue
1t should be noted that in 1896 Bryan
refused to cater to Palmer-B -Buckner
Democracy, his speeches earned him the
reputation OF being more of Popu-
list than Democrat and he came very
near being elected. In 1896 Bryan