The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-09-24
PopuIist Tendencies


Editor Independent: Have we not
as populists exaggerated the pluto.
cratic character Of the republican par
~ That party, like the democratic.
lad its birth in movement for pop
ular rights; and the republican move
nlent was so much more recent than
the other that the memories and en-
thusiasm of that popular uprising are
the real cause of the republican
strength. People ten years ago were
SLOW to believe that their beloved par
IT, had gone wrong, and before they
were fully convinced, the wall of par
t.san hate and denunciation had arisen,
making it impossible for them to see
what they would have seen in short
time longer but for that. Those who
became populists were only those
whose minds worked quicker.
The populists have always declared
that the corporations ruled both old
parties alike prior to 1896. At that
date the populistic element managed 10
get control of the democratic Organl-
zation and crowded out the other
kind They came near doing the same
thing in the republican organization.
There is a reform element in the re-
publican party; it has shown itself at
srndry times and places before and
since 1896. Now that which happened
to the democratic party in 1896 is LA
bic at any time to happen to the re-
publican party. In the opinion OF the
writer, it is rather likely to happen
vnn,1ictc would HO
well, so far as they have opportunity,
to try to make it happen, instead OF
eoquetting with the democrats any
longer; because, whether doing right
or doing wrong, a republican is worth
ter democrats when it comes TO doing
things.
The trouble with fusion is it gave
all the populist strength to one OF the
two old parties, and thus set the
other entirely against us, and that
OTHER was the more capable one OF the
two. If instead of alternating that par
t. bodily we could cultivate it's reform
element as we have done with the
democrats, we could accomplish Won
Gers.
What made the democrats instead OF
the republicans go populist in 1885,
Not the essential character OF the
party but historical circumstances In
the northeastern states there had al
ways been two parties, and a third
party could not at once make itself
heard In the south there was only
one party, and no political life at all
The pOpulist party made the first po-
litical agitation in the south since tire
civil war, or since reconstruction was
finished; and it won the day, convert
ing it's opponent. AS the south was.
the mainstay of the democratic party,
it settled the platform.
What the populists could not do IN
The north, because they were not the
Tnain opponents of the dominant party,
the democrats could do, and they did,
namely, to convert the republicans.
They have converted the republican
voters, and the republican party must
fellow
The socialists speak falsely when
they say that the two old parties are
capitalist devices No, they are both
alike popular institutions, and the
capitalists make us of them because
trey are popular. They have used
the republican party more because it
was more popular. And why was it
mere popular? Because in the north
it really includ larger proportion
Of the intelligence and character of the
population. Not near all, but larger
proportion. Then, too, the capitalists,
being themselves men of intelligence,
whatever their morality, naturally
were more numerous in that party.
But this intelligence, progressiveness
aid morality must surely revolt sooner
o. later against capitalist misuse of
the party's capabilities. When they do
revolt, it will be as easy to turn the
rascals out of the republican party as
to turn them out of the United States
government. The process is the same.
And the latter will not be done until
tins people are ready to do the former.
The democratic party went populist
ill 1896; now it is going republican.
And the republican party will go pop
nlist. God speed the happy day
MARK FOSTER.
inrnln Qenuhlicau