The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-13
THE POPULIST nANIFESTO


the democratic party; some of them have not for
given the democratic party for having 1nd0rsed
some reforms first advocated by the populists In
stead Of rejoicing that great party organization
had espoused the income tax the election of sena-
tors by popular vote and direct legislation some
of the popusts jealous enough to complain
that we had stolen their platform. If these re-
forms were urged by the populists merely as
means OF winning party victory there might be
for desire to mOnopolize the advoc-
acy of them, but if they were advocated because
they good for the people, then the friends OF
these reforms ought to have welcomed indorse-
ments from every source. II the republicans would
reform the tariff and restore bimetaism, destroy
the trusts aid abandon imperialism, they would
gain a party advantage over the democrats, but
what loyal democrat could complain If the repub-
lcans did for the country what the democratic
party is trying to do?
The manifesto issued at Denver will, il in
dorsed by the rank and file, Iut he unit~d pop
ulists just where the middle-of-the populists
have been for seven .ears; it will, if Edorsed by
the rank and fle direct the populist fight .gair It
the democratic party instead OF against the re-
publican party, Tor to justify their action the
members of the pOpulist party will have to en-
phasize the differences between themselves and
the democrats, whereas in recent campaigns the
regular populiss have emphasized the differences
between themselves and the republicans The
fight which will then ensuc will provoke bitter
the part of the democrats and the real
friends of reform will be divided into warning
tions each faction distrusting the other
How can the situation be met?
First by an appeal to the memb rs of the
popuist party. They did not Authorize the COM
mittee to issue such declaration of war against
the democrats and should not indorse it. Let
them exercise their right to self government and
insist upon being heard before the populist party
is converted into assistant republican party,
for the natural and necessary re-ult of the CON-
mittees action is to make the pOpulist party the
secret ally of the republican party in the next
campaign just the gold democratic party and
the middle of-the-road party were secre. allies Of
the republicans in 1896 and 1900.
AS matter of fact, the committees action
was based, not much on the failure OF fusion in
the past upon the fear that the reorganizers
will regain control of the democratic party. The
action of the populist committee was grOundless
assumption and will naturally encourage the re-
organizers who will assume thf the populist COM
mittee speaks for the voter of the party--t will
be an easy assumption, too, tccause the leaders
of the reorganizers are always assuming to speak
Tor the whole democratic party But the Kansas
City platform democrats need not be discour-
aged. The reforms advocated in the platforms OF
1896 and 1900 advocated because the were
right and not merely to catch populist vot S. Let
the party stand by its principles and then if the
populists attempt to help the republicans defeat
those principles the earnest reformers in the
populist party WILL as Individuals cooperate with
the democratic party. Even some of those who
signed the manifesto will hesitate to * low their
own advice when they The logical and newt
able result of their middle-of-the-road policy.
The reforms COR which the Chicago and Kan
sas City platforms declared are too important to
be jeopardized " divisions among reformers and
the democratic party can we'll afford to allow the
populists to bear the blame If those divisions
arise, but until the rank and file of the populist
party declares against fusion, The Commoner will
refuse to believe that the committee spoke for
the party