The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-31

the Old Guard, / look upon that con-
ference as untimely; and hindrance
to the cause Of reform. rather than
help.
The Good Book says that there is
time for all things. There was
tlme-rather times-for a conference
Of peoples party people, but not in
1903, The snubbing of Watson at
Chicago by the nomination OF an un-
known eastern democrat, called for a
conference. The turning down OF
Towne at Kansas City called for more
than a conference; it called Tor a re-
bellion-yes. war. and that to the hilt.
The former disrupted the party, and
the latter wrecked both factions OF
that party.
The former lost Mr.. Bryan the pres
idency, and drove from western pop
ulists their natural allies, the Tom
Watsons of the southern states. TAX
eli with the outrage at Kansas City,
it shore that party of its prestige. and
made the claim of the republicans
apparently true, that pops were dem
ocrats in disguise; that 1.-The offlces
were all that we were after;;' and the
fusion officials elected in 1896, by
tteir do-nothing policy land worse)
confirmed this assertion in the minds
of many of the people.
But these mistakes cannot be recti-
fed by other mistakes. If, there is
any hope left for the masses, it is in
cultivating brotnerly love among the
rank and file of all parties, whose
interests are the same. This the Den
yer conference will not do, but rather
will tend to widen the breach espe-
cially with Bryan democrats.
Under present POLITICAL conditions,
conferences will prove abortiye. This
fact may cause the sympathetic TO
weep. and stout hearts to quake and
bleed; but such has been the lot OF
all lovers of humanity through all
ages. Tears ana blood have ever been
the price Of justice and liberty.
There is absolutely no hope OF re-
form through the democratic party
While that party contains many emil
nent. patriotic, honest, self-sacrificing
men, it has others who have sold their
souls to the devil for paltry dollars.
With rare exceptions this latter class
has dominated that party for more
than fifty years, and by the assistance
of epublicans-guilty Of this same
crime-are now virtually again In the
saddle. Benedict Arnold was yirtuous
compared to Grover Cleveland.
There must first come an upheaval
before conferences will avail anything.
The elements for this combustion are
now in existence, the fuse lighted anu
becoming dangerously short. Pros
perity" founded upon wind, water,
bribery and robbery, Is nearing Its
end. The cataclysm is now visible in
Wall street, and on the SUBMITS OF
the Rocky mountains, and 1t is only a
question of time when 1t will sweep
the country from ocean to ocean. Con-
ferences for the purpose of how TO
undeceive the people as to Its true
cause and those responsible would be
in order. This accomplished, no other
conference will be necessary. The
people will found party and flnd
leaders.
Those manipulating the fangs OF
LQlS devil ISL art uolA6 otlChuouo %
forts to unload it upon poor old DEM
ocracy-Grover, German, Hill & Co.
Success or failure in this means much
to the American people. II the fruits
of Hanna prosperity in
hades-can be saddled upon democ-
racy, its instigators believe that they
can again delude the people In return
ing them to power; 1893 to 1886 will
be reproduced, free trade made the
scapegoat.
The work in hand-cQnference or
no conference-is to arouse and en-
tighten the masses.
1t will perhaps have to wait pa
tiently for the performances to be en-
acted next summer.
The criminal foolishness of the
masses In cllnging to every conceiv-
able ism will have to be overcome
They will have to be brought to see
that the principal part of what Is here
and coming has been brought about
by those who are holding power and
prospering nj the expense OF these
very deceived ones.
fear that the Denver conference
will augment this condition. It's ef-
fects cannot hut be TO intensity this
| donlorahIa condition law the rFeatinn