Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-10-09
Why We ARE poPuLlsTS.

r. >. THORGAARD.
WHY We ARE PoPULlsTs.
The Republican Gazette had an edi-
torial last week. It did, for fact.
The editorial in question had quite a
number CT words in it and as far we
remember was faultlessly set up. We
always like to give praise where it is
due, hence the mention of these facts.
OF course most of those words were
unnecessary, but the individual who
unburdened himself of them doubtless
feels relieved, and so the effort was
not entirely useless. A careful
reading of the effusion will show to a
close observer that the stuff was in
tended for an attack on the popu-
lists who signed the address to the
peoples party of Minnesota, and the
editor ofthis paper came in for a good
share of it. The gist of the article
seems to be that because the populists
have had good word to speak for
the late president they ought to cease
opposing the party to which he be-
longed. AS other and able writer's
have preached the same idea and tried
to make political capital out of these
respectful utterances about q man
whose private life was irreproachable,
it becomes necessary to give it a little
notice.
Let it be understood once for all that
no sane populist believes that the ma
jority of the people of our country are
rascals. If such were the case it
would be useless to try to reform it.
An overwhelming majority of the peo-
pie in any party desire to do right and
vote for the welfare of the country.
Not only that, but we believe that
many of the leaders whose policies we
antagonize are perfectly honest in
their opinions. 1t is largely ques.
ton of the point of view. We all de-
sire to see the country prosperous.
The question is "What is the basis
of prosperity?"
The monied class believes that pros
perity must start from them and work
downwards to the masses. Anything
that affects them adversely is a public
calamity according to their view.
They believe that they are the pillars
on which the country rests, and those
pillars must not be weakened, or dis
aster and ruin will result. Hence all
legislation must be made with special
reference to their needs. Living in an
atmosphere charged with that one idea
of money making it is but natural that
they become possessed with the idea
that money is everything. This class
we have always had with us. They
tried to make this an elective monar-
chy instead of republic, because
they feared that if the common people
got q hand in the government laws
inimical to the moneyed interests
would be passed and prosperity des-
troyed. The great industrial progress
OF the past century has by necessitat-
ing the formation of corporations,
thrown the men of this class closer
together and consequently made them
more powerful. All the important
legislation Of the past forty years has
been practically by this class. Our
lawmakers and executives comes
more in contact with this class than
with the common people, and imbibe
their theories. The vast majority of
this class today are republicans.
Some are nominally democrats be-
cause in their youth they happened to
be allied with that party, but the last
two campaigns have shown that whene
ever their prerogatives are threatened
they will desert their party. Il To these
must also be added all those sharks
who are looking only for chances to
rob the people, rocking nothing about
what the result may be to the country.
This element would not be very d an
gerous by itself, but allied with the
great mass Of honest wealthy aristo-
Gratis they become .. potent factor for
evil. Thoroughly INSCRIPTIONS and
ready g hire the best talent TO repre-
sent them Il they have not the talent
themselves, they become the dominant
force 81 shaping the policies 81 their
party md they always hide their
doings behind that e1c use that what
they do is necessary Is protect the
interest 5of the coa ntry, and.
thus ct the sup OFT Eof The honest
no nisd Artist cracy.
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