The independent., 1903-12-03
y The Future Of Popuhsm :.

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Some days ago The Independent sent
out number of letters to well known
populists in various parts of the
United States, saying:
"A sufficient time has now
elapsed to allow a recovery from
the effects of the election. What,
in your judgment, is the outlook for
the future? What may be reason
ably expected from the next ma
tional conventions? Now that the
peoples party organization has
ceased to exist in most of the states
and it's members for the most part
have been affiliated with the demo-
cratic party, what may we reason
ably expect OF populists next year?
Will they revive the old organiza-
ton? Will they rally again, put a
presidential ticket in the field, and
support it with the vigor of 1892?
If you believe they will do this,
what, il anything, can be done now
to assist in the mOvement2"
Although The Independent had not
expected to print any of the replies
until next week, number of those
addressed were prompt and said SO
much that Independent readers will be
anxious to hear, that we make the be-
ginning this week.
1t is conceded that when conditions
are not ripe for the accomplishment
.oe x;x nn q, Of aOi-
tation will have any effect. But 1t is
equally true that very few will have
any inspiration to agitate, under such
conditions. The question today is,
What will the peoples party do next
year? No one man can foretell--but
the expressions of many will serve as
an index to the general trend OF
thought along that line. 1t is to as
certain this trend of thought that The
Independent has asked for expressions
of opinion in answer to its questions.
IOWA.
Editor Independent: 1t appears to
me that history is substantially re-
peating itself in the demonstrations
that have taken place in the past and
recently present movements of the
peoples party organization in states
and pairing the same with
other great reform movements which
history, both sacred and profane, has
clearly recorded. | have stated again
and again. and now repeat, that there
is no power on or in this planet which
can stop the onward march of this
f<x. rnY1 a y ? q
finally. radical reform in our national
monetary system, as well as In our
present unjust and inequitable system
of taxation and oul trust-breeding tar
iff Chinese wall.
The war of the rebellion could have
been prevented by the Investment OF
a few hundred millions of dollars,
used in the purchase, at twice their
market value, OF less than 100000
slaves, aud then have had them
manumitted, with progeny. forever
and forever.
The naughty slave owner on the
one part, and the greedy speculator on
the other, would not listen To such a
proposition of settlement, whereby
thousands upon thousands of lives
very valuable liyes--could have been
saved to fields of great usefulness,
and thousands OF millions of property
and money could have been saved to
the people.
But the God-ordained doom of black
chattel slavery had come. and the
infinite edict was terribly executed.
Traverse the pages OF all history
touching great reform movements,
aud the way was made plain that n
wayfaring man need not have erred.
by which n rendjustment IN the line
ol now and ncedful developments and
substantial progress could have been
accomplished without the eoneomit-
ant. or final result. ~ destruction OF
human life In awful numbers and
property and money In amazing sums
of value
A refusal by those In authority
caused murder. raplne. and destrne-
tion 90 mark the way Of the upward
movement yet the movement was
pushed ON. aud on. until the reform
had nAined a foolhold which led 10 n
pronounced destruction " the larger