The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-12
Veteran PopuIist FavOrs Move
to Unite With Democrats.
Charges Condition of the Party
to Republican Legislation.
HE ISSUES AN ADDRESS
Should Be a Union Along Anti
Monopoly Lines.
A Candidate For Congress in
Fifth District.

Andrew Shearer, of Marshall county
one of the old-time Populists OF the
Fifth district, is in favor of the Pop
ulist party going bodily over to the
Democrats. He outlines his reasons for
believing this to be the best action in
a lengthy communication to the State
Journal
Mr.. Shearer, by the way. has
healthy boom for congress in the Fifth
district. He is being pushed by DIR. Z.
w. Brandenburg and other old-line
Democrats. In fact, the Democratic
leaders of the district are lined mp be-
hind Shearer, notwithstanding the fact
that one of their own number. Senator
Harry Mcmillan, is frequently men
toned in connection with The nomina-
ton. Mr.. Shearer says:
I'VE must not deceive ourselves as to
the exact predicament in which we have
legislation. We will be compelled to
change our (heretofore) legal name.
Our votes will not be counted, although
cast for the nominees of our own con-
vention-if some other party should
happen to place the same names on
their ballot. We are practically forced
TO organize new party The outlook
for success (by US single-handed) in the
next election is not bright. Populism
was, and still is, an organized protest
against government by corporations.
us most pOSlINe enOrIS nave DeSu
along the lines of government by the
People. We have been particularly in
sistent on government issues of all
paper money. Reasonable increase in
money volume, including free coinage OF
silver and government control or own
el ship of railroads. We have also stood
SOlidly in opposition to trusts The
question at issue seems to me to be,
whether we will remain alone as a mi
nority party, and conduct a cam paign
OF education, or whether we will go
bodily into the Democratic party.
The question then arises, Is further
education along anti-monopOly lines
necessary? / am sure that very large
majority of the people of Kansas are
aware of the existence of trusts and
monopohes and will readily agree with
US that something should be done to
check or abolish them. 1t is action that
is needed now, not talk Show the peo-
pie some reasonable plan of success and
they will flock to the standard. AS to
going into the Democratic party. preju-
dice seems to be the principal obstruc-
ton If we continue to hug our preJu-
dices. and worship our party fetiches.
the trusts will go merrily on, and we
viii continue to be feeced The great
body of PopulistS and Democrats of
Kansas today are substantially agreed
to principles. and are only kept
apart by prejudice. Our stupid disa-
greement is music to the ears of the
opposition. Some think because the
Democratic party was once wrong it
must always be wrong. They are not
willing to grant the sane measure of
forgiveness to it that they ask for
themselves. We POpuIist. I suppose are
all willing to trust ourselves in the fu-
ture. although at some time We have
been either Democrats or Republicans
In northeastern Kansas, where Pop
ulists never had a clear majority, we
have become accustomed to working
tremendously with the Democrats, and
are today in substantial agreement. In
other parts of the state where Populists
have had an unqueStioned majority, and
have not needed Democratic help, the
situation is different. The Democrats in
this case We're doubtless neglected and
spurned, thus creating a soreness that is
not yet healed over Especially is this
the case in the Sixth district. 1t is to
be hoped that they will see the error of
their way, and abandon their partisan
folly. This difference of political rela-
tions between Populists and Democrats
in different sections of the state ac-
counts largely for the divergence of
opinion in regard to our future united
action 1t may be that -Populism has
served its time and purpose, and will be
laid away reverently with all the other
short lived third party movements. OF
that can not tell. but one thing is GER
tain. the future is pregnant with mo-
mentous political changes. The battle
ground has shifted; the issues have
broadened. We are beaten in our long
struggle to prevent the adoption of the
European financial system. Not only
has that system been adopted in full, but
we have now kings of the rail- and a
trust bred arlStocracy resting on priv
ilege." and are now busily engaged in
establishing a European colonial sys-
TEN, in violation of the we'll established
principles of our government.
THE unfortunate and cruel destruction |
of the life of our respected president has |
given opportunity for possible restriction |
of freedom of speech and of the press.
The occasion bids fair to have re-enacted |
the much despised allen and sedition |
laws In short imperialism aptly ex- |
presses the action of the dominant party. |
1t may yet take the bold hand and UNI /
NUenchab4e democracy of a Jefferson to /