The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-19
DUTY OF THE "P0P'
It Is to Go It Alone, Says Victor E..
Lawson,
CHAIRMAN OF STATE COMMITTEE
An Appeal to Populists of the State
to Quit Dealing With
Democrats.

''Independent action is the watchword
OF the Minnesota populists for the coming
campaign. Victor E. Lawson Of Willmar,
chairman of the state committee, issued
an address to-day at the direction OF the
committee, ITO the populists Of Mlnne-
sota.' 1t is an appeal to popul1sts 10
leave off dealing with the democracy and
to let that party fight its own battles.
The address, after reviewing the his
tory Of the populist movement and justi-
tying the existence of the party, continues
as follows: -.
What is the duty of the populst at the
present hour? How can he best make his
to preserve the leaven, maintain the strength
of the salt and keep the light shining? These
are questions that present themselves.
A committee, appointed at a previous meet
ing OF the state committee, in address is
sued in September of last year, made this
declarations: ..+.-
For the mistakes Of past campaigns it Is
Idle now to apologize, 1t was an honest ef-
fort to put an honest man in the White
House. We had confidence in William J..
Bryan. and still have. More than any other
man in the old parties, he represents Amerl-
canism as it was eXemplified in the lives and
teaching Of Jefferson and Lincoln. 1t was Co
operation for the publication OF government
with no thought of being absorbed by the
democratic party, many OF the so-caIled lead
expressed in the declaration Of independence.
The peoples party was not obliterated. Prin-
cipies never die. nor will the peoples party
while it represents true republicanism-the
voice OF the whole people It still lives an
educator and a warner against the deSpotlSm
of the money and trust oligarchy that covets
the pomp and circumstance OF empire. -.--..'
The address mentioned met with favor from
all districts where the peoples organization
still maintains a separate existence. In To-
calitieS where of
paign caused the merging of the organiza-
tons, there are populists who are undecided
whether to try and continue a popuist or
ganization or to abandon the same and thus
compel the members of the party to seek
political home as best they may. This class
of populists fear to assert the right OF their
party to live because they believe such a
course would weaken Bryans strength with
democracy. They would enter into the con-
test raging within the democratic party to
assist in the purging of democracy OF its
corrupt elements. This they honestly believe
to be the best method Of expressing their
loyalty to populistic principles. But a mo
snent's reflection will convince any one con-
yersant with conditions that this position is
not tenable. In the states where populism
has its strength, Bryan's ideals also dominate
democracy. In the sections where the gold
trust democracy is strongest, populists have
developed little strength. If the Bryan de-
1nocracy cannot maintain it's control of the
party In the west without the aid of popu-
lists, then pray what hope is there that they
can do SO in the central and eastern states ,
All populists sympathize with the Bryan wing
OF democracy in it's struggle to maintain its
control of the party, but they are poWerless
to assist it, even should they wish to enter
the democratic party for that purpose. The
populists will be wise if they stand aloof and
allow their late allies to settle their own
family difficulties among themselves His
own party offers the populist congenial po-
litcal home where he can make his influence
felt in the nation and state far more effec-
lively. '... - 81 '-
With populsts in the legislature and pop
ulists in congress, the party can cooperate
in the halls of legislation with all who wish
to enact populistic principles into law. A
third aggressive party in a country with so
varied interests the United States, would
be no menace to its progress. Indeed, the
conviction is growing that such party would
compel a reasonable degree OF purity in ma
tional affairs. - e .'..@@
No true reformer needs to hesitate to- assist
in the maintenance OF the peoples party. It's
existence will be a guarantee that populistic
principles will live and be enacted into law.
Whatever the future has In store, the popu-
list that standE by his convictions will have
no cause for regret.