The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-24
MASSACHUSETTS.

Editor Independent: 1t was Josh
Billings who gave us a bit of sage
advise, ''Never prophesy unless you
kpow." Prophecy is either intuitive
or it is a calculation based upon the
belief that certain causes operating in
the present will in the future produce
certain results.
A political party at any time is but
the expression of political sentiment
that already exists. A political senti-
ment can readily create leaders who
have, following; or leaders can cre-
ate themselves without political fol-
lowing if they so desire. Why do we
blame our leaders for the result in st.
Louis, in 1896? Were they leaders or
were they followers? We, who loved
the peoples party, as we never again
will a political love. did we deliver 1T
for sacrifice or did the wave OF public
sentiment, vibrated by the great mag
netic force, sweep everything before
it as it swept us into our glorious
and never to be forgotten conventions
of earlier years? Why do we chafe at
results if we have the testimony of
our conscience that we did our duty
so far as we could understand it? And
that is the key note of this hour let
each one do his duty-never mind re-
suits that are with a higher power.
Twelve years ago the peoples party
had a monopoly. Reform was in
thick layers; and there was no po-
litical party to voice the sentiment
until the peoples party came into ex-
fa1 tSn .1Jn ca
well that they shook both the old
party conventions, and took the demo-
cratic machine away from its capital
istic leadership and set up business
with portion of our stock in trade.
That took a number of our customers
who were using our brand of goods.
Now there are Indications that this
same old democratic machine has for
gotten the bad case of fever and ague
which afflicted it previous to 1896 and
is about to offer German brand of
Niger -the-woodpile goods as a
substitute for our genuine and only
reliable brand of populism for home
consumption made under fair condi-
tions.
Our other competitors are also in
trouble; Mr.. Roosevelt was admitted
to be a silent partner-yery silent
and the irony of fate has made him
IT. Please spell ''it'' with a big Il"
Anyone who approaches him must do
SO in the spirit Of Il am as nothing in
thy sight; do with me as thou wilt.
Fancy Mark Hanna and some other re-
publicans doing it! Therefore the re-
1e. bn oir ln
catches only the reflections; while
the inner circle shudders at what may
happen next. Roosevelt's star brooks
no division in leadership.
The success of the peoples party,
numbered in votes. has been depen-
dent upon what the old parties aid or
did not do, and not upon what our
leaders have done. The duty of pop
ulists Is to preach the gospel OF pop
ulism wherever they may be. Pop
ulism will come again. Therefore let
us who are numbered in the Old
Guard make the old home attractive;
just let 1t be known that the peoples
party. dealing only In honest and re-
liable political offerings. can be found
in its old location, where IL will be
pleased TO welcome Its old customers
and all Others who want full political
value for their political patronage.
Mr.. Editor, once more let us gather
In 81. Louis. February -. 1904. to re-
new ''auld acquaintance. to sing the
old songs. to pause for moment whn.e
VIC recall the names Of host OF ge-
nial. eompanionable. whole-souled
men who thought that the sun Of re-
form. which shone so brightly when
our party was formed, would soon pass
90 the mtd-heayen. but doomed 90 dis
appointment they fought the fight
kept the faith and passed 10 the gen
uine reward which does not depend on
the success OF a political pafty-the
knowledge of duty done.
". GERRY BROWN.
Brockton. Mass.