The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-06
THE DENVER coNrEREHCn


eral states had gathered at Denver it
did not take long to find out that they
we're ali eli CT the same opinion. Each
and every one of them had as high an
opinion of w. J. Bryan as ever, but
they had come to the conclusion that it
was impossible to make reform par
ty out of the democratic organiza-
ton as the facts presented themselves
at the present time. They all agreed
with the prognosis published in The
Independent some time ago, which
was as follows:
IF Bryan controls the next national
democratic convention and that con-
vention puts out platform along the
Eaigns, every one knows that the
Cleyeland-Hill faction will do every
thing in their power to defeat the
candidate, and will all vote the re-
publican ticket just as they have done
twice before. On the other hand, If
the Cleveland-Hill crowd get control
of the convention there are two or
three million Bryan democrats who
will never vote the ticket, not even
If it puts up a straddle candidate on
straddle platform"
That is the condition that confronts
the democratic party and renders it
absolutely helpless That being the
case the populists thought it better
to strengthen their organization and
offer to the people a platform and a
candidate concerning which there
could be no doubt. There is no doubt
that there is majority OF the voters
of the United States who believe in
populist principles and freed from
party influence they would vote for
them. They believe that the govern
ment should control the volume OF
money and that it should not be left
to caprice of lot of national bank
ers. They believe that the govern
ment should own the railroads and
prevent determinations and eXorbit-
ant tariffs. They believe that land
should be held for use and not for
speculation. They favor the public
ownership of telegraphs, telephones,
street car lines, waterworks and other
public utilities. They believe in the
initiative. referendum and recall of
unfaithful representatives. There be-
ing no party advocating these things
save the peoples party, it is right,
wise and patriotic to organize and
maintain such party.
1t is manifestly impossible that the
present policies should endure fer the
next twenty-five years. If the for
tunes of the Rockefellers. the Nor
gans, the Vanderbilts, the Goulds, the
| harrimans should increase fer the
next quarter of century at the same
rate that they have for the last, there
would be nothing left in all the wide
world for you Or me. The simplest
mathematical calculation will prove
| that.
That great change will soon take
Dlace-a change that will be enforced
by the conditions brought about by a
long series of years of the rule of the
publicanism is evident to every think
ing man. In view of these things and
the conditions confronting the demo-
cratic party, 1t was thought that the
course adopted was the wisest that
could be pursued with the knowledg J
that we now have.
The address that was issued was not
at all intended to cover all the reforms
advocated by the populists, but to
state only few fundamental prin-
ciples. 1t was not a body endowed
with power to make platform. All
persons who have heard populist
speakers or read populist literature
will Immediately recall many that are
not referred to at all, such as ex-
orbitant tariffs, election of senators
by the people and many others.
DEMOCRACY
1t would be we'll in the new align
ments that are sure to take place in
the near future to avoid misconcep-
lions and to thoroughly understand
each other. There are some thou
sands Of the truest patriots and best
informed citizens in the land who are
readers of The Independent. Some OF
them have called themselves demo
Gratis and some chung to the name pop
ulist. Among the most radical have
been those who have never known
any other name than democrat Phil
logically, men who advocate the
principles promulgated in the national
platforms of the peoples party should
be called democrats" The reforms
demanded should be carried forward
by a Marty called the democratic mar.