New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-29
SEEING VISIONS

A morbund statesman may be pardoned 1or
pinching himself occasionally TO discover just
what semblance of vitality he retains, But the
experiment is charged with pathos and unless
the subject has unusual capacity for self-de-
ception he will get out of it only a melancholy
confirmation of his gloomiest fears. The Hon.
Marion c. Butler, for six years past the CHAIR
man of the Populist National Committee, and
in two Presidential campaigns the moving spirit
in the Populist partys coalition with the Silver
Republicans and the Bryan Democrats. has just
been INDUCING in this in extremis process OF
determination. But. strange to say, though
the outward eye can read only hamilton and
failure stamped on Mr.. Buffers own career and
that Of the national organization whose policy
he has shaped and whose fortunes he has
guided, the North Carolina statesman himself
reports no consciousness of impending dissolu-
ton. In his inward visions, on the contrary, he
pretends to find himself and his political rem
nant not only still alive but even threatened
with some marvellous prospect of regeneration.
Mr.. Butler talks. in fact. with a confidence
quite unclouded by ante-mortem forebodings.
He foresees a reorganized and reinyigorated
Populist party in the field in 1904. ready to
profit by the secessions from the Democratic
ranks which are to follow the reputation of
Bryan and Organism by the next Democratic
ecstatic vision of the Populist party's coming
revivification:
In 1904 the Populist party will have ticket
in the field for the Presidency independent OF
any other party. We will poll more votes for
a Populist candidate then than did when we
put up Weaver and got over two million votes
for him. Since then have twice fused with
the Democratic party and given it our votes In
all that time the Democratic party has taught
its voters to despise Clevelandism. and those
teachings will be remembered The result VIII
be that in 1904 we will not only get all the votes
we got for Weaver, but we will get a large part
of the Democratic vote also, as have no DOUBT
that by that time the Democratic party will De
in the hands of the Cleveland Democrats and
iii he endeavoring to foster Clevelandism.
cannot undertake to say what vote we VIII tnen
poIl but it will be a large one and the largest
we have ever had.
II seems almost brutal to question the IN
SEPARATION of this swan song burst OF prophecy.
Rut a miracle of energy and invention will be
required to put the Populist party in condi-
ton to poll 100000 votes in the next Presi-
DENTAL canvass If any genuine national or
ganzation exists to-day, its existence is one OF
| the best kept secrets of national politics. One
bv one the State organizations in States where
Populism was formerly controlling force have
| lost their vigor and Identity Continued fusion
| with the Democracy has resulted In most OF
| these States, in the absorption by the stronger
| partner of the weaker partners interests and
| assets Only, indeed, in States like Colorado,
| where the Democratic State Convention recent
| ~ turned its back on former petted and ser
viceable ally, are the Populist leaders In as
sured possession Of anything like an indepen-
| dent party organization. On what foundation,
then is Mr.. Buffers latest political air castle
| built? Does he read a second birth Of Populism
between the lines of Colonel Bryan's recent
gloomy outpourings in 1.-THE Commoner''? Or Is
he already deep in the dreams which sometimes
come TO fill extinguished statesman's mind
even before he has actually shufied off the coil
OF politics?