The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-27

hy my work and money and can clasp
the glad hand with any who have
worked In the conference at Denver.
| think, however, that no resolution
preventing fusion OF all reform forces
should have been passed or should be
passed at our convention. For you will
remember that the men who were op-
posed to fusion did go over to the
enemy and did help republicans just as
the Palmer and Buckner element did.
You will also remember that that
same element did insist upon the nOml-
ration of Towne at Sioux Falls;
prominent among those were Senator
Butler; he probably did more than
any other one man to defeat Bryan by
his insisting upon Towne being nomi
mated
And you will remember that all our
fusion element wanted to avoid such
an appearance of debating to the demo-
Gratis. And it was a selfish motive;
he thought that would insure his re-
election as senator. Now, it looks to
me that if the populists refuse to un-
tie with all the reform forces against
republicans, failure will be the result
AC 0OC1allSAo uldhC lAG OaluC h1uu I'll
statement, and suppose the democrats
say the same what will be the result?
OF course, defeat. And suppose on
the other hand any one OF the reform
forces are willing to unite themselves.
what when the time comes will be the
best organized plan for making sue
cess of reform?
Why should a resolution by those
who have helped republicans elect
their tickets before, stand in the way
OF union of reform forces when all OPP
pose republicans and stand for the
same principles and only differ in
name? You will doubtless excuse SEN
ator PETER and his treachory and |
can excuse hundred other middle
readers of the same character All of
that kind of men are for personal
gains or republicans in disguise. and
for myself | have not even respect for
them-better an open enemy than any
enemy in disguise.
The road before us as citizens is
union OF all forces that favor reform,
or a continuation of republican rule,
and that means revolution in the near
future.
The trusts and corporations and
capitalists own the administration and
the courts with big OWN Our only
hope is to get together in such a way
that we can elect either populist or
democrat-of Bryan stripe, and Bryan
would be my choice; labor unions GER
tainly would unite on him or some one
like him.
Enclosed find one dollar for The In
dependent. | like and | want it to
be independent of any and all resolu-
tons which bind it against uniting all
reform forces. For that is the only |
way that we can win.
N. NJ SMITH.
Washington, Kas.
(The Independent believes that con-
siderable breath is wasted in the cry
for union of all reform forces. 1t is
laudable of course-but upon what can
they unite? There can be no union
with the socialists (they renounce ere
form" and ask for "revolution"), ex-
cept by becoming socialists and de-
the collective ownership of
all the means of production and dis
trlbutlon." There can be no union
with the prohibitionists without be-
coming prohibitionists and demand
Ing that the rum power be "pulzer-
led"
Upon what can the reform forces"
unite? Upon majority rule, govern
ment railroads and government money
you say? Then they will all become
populists. AS matter of fact, it looks
to The Independent that in the near
future there will be three instead of
two great parties: The republican,
as it has for years as the ex-
ponent and champion of the great
either the peoples or the
democratic party Zone and not both)
rs the exponent and e'ampion of the
great middle class, the small produc-
Els, home-owners, farmers, ETC.; and
he socialist party representing the
Hage-workers. The labor unions had a
chance to unite on Bryan both in 1896 ,,
md 190O-did they do so? The result .
Jays, no.
Whether the party witch represents !
he bone and sinew of America. the
middle class, shall be called demo .
rat" peoples" or by some other !,
came, depends upon circumstances;
,ut it is safe to say that no two great