The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-11-12

In accordance with the call issued
by Hon. J. A. Edgerton. chairman of
the committee of the Denver confer
ence, a conference was held in the
city of Indianapolis September %,
1908, and in pursuance to the action OF
said conference the following address
is issued:
To the Citizens of Indiana: The fl
nancial system and financial affairs OF
the country are so intimately, essen
TALLY and inseperably related to every
important question in American poll
tics that no party which attempts to
exclude the financial question from
the political issues is worthy of con-
fidence, and no man who is wrong on
that question ought to be trusted as a
leader. There is something inherent
ly and fundamentally at fault in eth
er the education or the purposes OF
men who profess opposition to i'm
perialism, colonialism and trusts and
are willing that bimetallic standard
for the payment of debts may be aban-
doned, and that the sovereign prero-
gative of government to issue money
may be surrendered to banks. The
man has very little knowledge OF f.
nancial history and economic exper-
ience, who is unable to see a causa-
tive relation between financial legls-
lation during the last forty years and
the development of commercial and
industrial trusts, the growth of inn
perialistic tendencies-tha have per-
meated our entire business Organiza-
ton with powers that govern with
out the consent of the governed-and
the Inauguration of colonial policy
contrary to principles declared to be
self-evident and upon which was
founded our claim to freedom from
foreign rule.
The peoples party was the out
growth of. opposition to this legisla-
tion and was protest against It's
consequent evils. The most explicit,
the mCat courageous and the best ex-
preston of its principles and pro-
posed policies are found in the plat
form of its national convention at
Omaha.
It's members saw, with Jefferson. in
debt, and, with Lincoln, in combined
wealth, dangers threatening individ-
ual liberty and political freedom. 1t
was an organized opposition to finan-
cial combinations that, for years, have
been endeavoring, for the benefit OF
creditors. to increase the value OF
public debts by the destruction OF the
"greenback" legal tender notes, and
complete abandonment OF silver as
a standard of payment.
Tt is a matter of common knowledge
that. prior to 1896, both the dominant
parties Were under the influence OF
these combinations. In that year the
republican convention, under cover OF
the insincere, impossible and absurd
declaration for international agree
ment, abandoned bin etallism and
made an unconditional surrender to
Wall street influences and to the ma
tional banks. This action alienated
many of its voters. The democratic
convention, by its efforts to free IT.
self from such influences, by its at
tempt to return to the principles OF
jefferson, and by the incorporation in
its platform OF principles and policies
for which the peoples party had been
contendng. invited TO its support
those republicans and the populists Of
the state.
II was disclosed in the campaign
that followed that there was little
difference In political sentiments be-
taeen the populists and republicans
who abandoned the party after the
convention In which II had discarded
the teachings OF Lincoln. II was dem.
onstfated that there were hundreds OF
thousands OF democrats who still be-
lleyed Washlngtons Farewell" to be
the expression OF patriotic wisdom
and who had not ceased 60 treasure
the words ~ Jefferson as priceless
gems uf American statesmanship.
There was never any difference ol
opinion among the members Of the
peoples Rssty about the principles
and policies of the Omaha platform. oI
about the teachings OF jefferson and
Lincoln. MANY. however believed
that duty rested upon them To give
their assistance to the democratic
party. where the larger number cI
votes gave promise of an opportunity
90 advance these principles. Others
had leas confidence IN the democratic
lmai.sahlks anl f.aa. hama tkat fhratt. h