The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-14

yotioA to the principles they professed
counted for anything. Success was
admitted to be impossible without the
populist vote, yet the national demo-
cratic campaign managers treated the
.populist organization with scorn and
their nominee for vice president with
contempt. The plea was made that the
populist nominations could not be
recognized without driving conserva-
tive democrats from the party. Under
these discouraging circumstances the
bulk of the popuiist vote was policd
for the democratic ticket.
For eight years since that time the
peoples party has followed the for
tunes of fusion with the democrats.
With diminished numbers, with brok-
en- ranks, with loss Of that splendid
morale and fighting enthusiasm which
marked the early organization, we still
have followed Four years ago the
party went outside of its own ranks
to name man for vice president
whose Endorsement by the democrats
would help hold populists in the ranks
give some sembance of recognition
taste the humiliation OF pulling him
down and taking Grover Cleveland
consort for vice president. That act
alone lost the state of Nebraska and
drove hundreds of honest populists
everywhere from the organization.
For eight years we have trodden the
alkali plains Of the democratic desert,
lured by the miragic picture of green
fields and sparkling waters Of freedom
a little farther on where the camp of
true Industrial democracy was
pitched. Eight years Of blistered feet
and cactus thorns, of reouff and vast
ing columns-to find ourselves at last
beneath the walls of the citadel of
Monopoly from whose grinning bas-
lions look down upon us the men in
command-Dave HILL Arthur Pue Cor
man, August Belmont and company.
And we are told that If we enlist in
their army we shall have the chance
to drive them from their stronghold
In four years from now!
What is the application of ali this
history to the meeting of the populist
state convention next month to name
state ticket? Just this: There can
be no honorable fusion between q
Parker democracy in this state and
the peoples party. There can be no
union between those who are travelling
different roads for opposite destina-
TONS II the democratic party of Ne
braska is for the ticket named last
week at st. Louis then between it and
the populists of this state there Is no
communion. If it is against the ticket
there named, but dares not say So
If 1t makes sham support and pre-
tended defense of that ticket while at
heart it is against-then 1t is not hon
est enough in politics for the cooper
alton of anyone.
1t will be urged that we may agree
on questions of state policy even
though parting company on national
issues and tickets. But the crisis in
state affairs is no more urgent than
In those of the nation. The great po-
litical problem of the time-the great
est needs union of those holding
common ideas of public policy Can
we get union by putting up Parker
democrats for state Office and support
Ing them? Can we get union or any
thing else that is honest. by putting up
men who pretend to be for Parker,
but are not? II the peoples party
has lost strength and enthusiasm by
repeated fusion in this state with Bry-
an democracy what will it lose by fu-
sion with Parker-H German dem
ocracy--or with a democracy that
stands for the national ticket named
by them? Does anyone who knows
the temper of the people OF this state
believe that former populists can be
held or new ones attracted to a state
ticket made up on such basis?
And that brings me to what is az
ter all the main question for us-is il
worth while to have peoples party
at all? For a number of years in Me-
braska We have been protesting there
was-but we have been acting as
though there was not The discussion
on my amendment to Senator Aliens
resolution at the Fremont convention
revealed that there In a considerable
element In our organization which was
ready to join the democratic party.
question not the sincerity or right te
their opinion on the part Of these fel.
low members, simply say-as one
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