The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-20
SENATOR ALLEN REPLIES
Regrets That the Commoner Should I'm.
dertake to Undo the Work of the
Denver Conference

Editor Independent: In The Com
mOner of the ilh inst. rather cauStlc
comment is made on the Denver con-
ference address and on the determine
ton of the pOpulists to put a preSiden-
tial ticket in the field in 1904, and for
declaring itself 'unqualifiedly in favor
OF national political action" 1t is as
sumed that the conference did 1t have
authority to speak for the party. But
whether that is true or not, it is ques-
tionable (because The COmmOner is
not populist journaD whether it is
in a situation to raise the point OF
regularity of the conferences work.
Complaint is made that fusion pop
ulists have surrendered to the middle
cf-the-road populists and it is stated
that the latter supported the republi-
can ticket in 1900
A general onslaught is made on the
middle-of-the-roade they are char
acterized as unreasonable, and it is
said they gave aid and comfort to the
republican party; and other charges
ere made against them.
1t is finally urged that an appeal be
made from the regular populist or
ganization, 'to the members of the
ropulist party" to undo the work OF
the Denver conference. 1t is to be re-
gretted that The Commoner, as we'll
as some other democratic papers,
takes the view it does of the situation.
The tenor of the article is that the
ropulist party must be disciplined for
not subordinating it's will to the wishes
OF the democratic party. In other
words, that the populist party must
lie destroyed unless it agrees to subOr-
GiEate it's wishes anu platforms tC the
democratic party's wishes and plat
forms.
Complaint is made that the action
OF the Denver conference will have a
tendency to weaken respect for the
Chicago and Kansas City democratic
platforms.
Let us examine the situation and
see what the duty of the populists is.
i'he party was organized in 1890 as a
psotest against both the republican
and democratic parties and to accom-
plish reforms that neither Of them
bad the disposition or power to ac-
cemplish. The party has held three
rational conventions and promulgated
three national platforms. 1t nominated
General Weaver for the presidency on
its first and on the others it nominated
MIR. Bryan although Mr.. Bryan is not
q pOpulist.
A majority of the party supported
Mr.. Bryan in 1896 and 1900 and would
support him again if he were can
Gidate, because they believe that by
fis election some of the reforms which
they advocate would be sooner made
practicable. But Mr.. Bryan, to the
regret of the reformers everywhere,
eiled of an election.
Populists did not fuse with the dem
ccrats in supporting Mr. Bryan, bit
made IN Independent nomination. At
Eo time had they any intentions to
abandon their party or to become DEM
Ccrats, but simply co-operated with
the liberal wing of the Democrat, par
1v to secure Mr.. Bryans election
In the mean time it is doubtful il
the republican party did more tc dis
organize the populist party and 10 alb
sorb its membership than the demo-
cratic party did. Repeated protests
Lf populists, that the democrats should
not try to disorganize the party. but
let it work out it's own problems IN its
cwn way, were ignored and the worl;
Of PROSECUTING went steadily on.
The attitude of The Commoner
makes plain what many populists be-
l,eve, namely, that it was the inten-
ton of the democratic party to absorb
the populists; and now that ipdepen-
dent action has been determined on,
this assault is made on our party; and
i! is evident that if we refuse to fur
ther march in the rear of the demo-
I,atic column or under its flag we are
to be repudiated and disciplined
Populists nowhere owe any alleg
lance to either the Chicago or Kan
sas City platforms. 1t is a matter of
Indifference to them whether these
documents "are voted up or voted
down" Their faith lies prescribed by
the Omaha and subsequent platforms.
These are the tests of party fealty.
The Commoner article makes no refer
ellce to these platforms, or to the
duty of populists to support them, but
seems to think that we should desert
Cur platforms and make common