The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-04
A Splendid Opportunity.


such splendid opportunity for accom-
plishing something for constructive re-
form as it has TODAY. The only ques-
ton now is. Will those in authority
prove equal to the occasion?
Mr. Bryan's present attitude is SIM
ply that Of an honest man, still hop
ing to reform his party, and for that
reason desires to remain regularly
with it. But his recent letter can
not be construed, it seems to me, as an
appeal to-he great body OF voters to
vote the democratic national ticket.
In fact the triumph of Parker would
be the political death of Bryan at
least in the democratic party. For
could they not say: when we dropped
Organism we won?" And has not that
winning" idea potent attractive
ness about it?
What can the reformers of the ma
ton hope for, except from the inaugu-
cation of an entirely new movement?
The republican party is hopelessly in
solvent SO far as reform goes, still it
has in its membership many noble
reformers. According even to Mr.
Bryan the democratic party is tenn
porarily' in the same position. And
in the light of history have yet to
discover single instance where any
radical reform has been accomplished
by means Of an old established party.
Jefferson was obliged to establish the
old republican party, the predecessor
of the democratic party, for the pur-
pose of off-setting what appeared Ito
him a return to monarchical ideas, or
perhaps rather to perpetuate demo-
cratic issues. When the next great
crisis appeared the organization of the
republican party of today became es-
sential to success. And now, to accom-
plish the economic reforms for which
We have been striving, another new
movement is positively essential. be-
lieve that the peoples party is the
nucleus for that new movement.
Mr. Bryan tells us that we can hope
for no economic reform from Parker
if elected. He only expects his elec-
ton to put check upon militarism
and imperialism. The present economic
ills from which we suffer are form
of tyranny. Can We hope 70 see liberal
democratic policies carried out in place
OF present imperialistic policies by one
who is not liberal in this way in our
domestic relations?
Several populists, members OF local
committees and even OF the national
committee, have told me that they
were going to vote for Roosevelt, lust
to make Parker's defeat as emphatic
as possible" | can not see the wis
dom of their action. They agree that
there is no hope of accomplishing any
reform from either the democratic or
republican parties. / then ask them,
What hope will there be for reform in
this nation ii the polls in November
register nothing but republican
and democratic votes7 Granting
that there is no hope for reform
publican parties. still | assert that
there will be large hope in a large
Independent vote, / care not among
how many parties it may be divided.
If those parties opposed to the two
old parties poll large vote in Novem-
her. then there will be abundant hope
Of accomplishing something for reform
by combination ultimately Of these
independent parties. Now of these in
dependent parties the peoples party
is numerically the strongest. Our
course CT action is therefore Obvious.
Let the national committee push its
operations into every precinct in the
nation SO far as its ability goes. Let
us aid in polling large vote for Wat
son and Tibbles. Wheie we can not
secure a vote for our ticket, let MS at
least urges them 10 vote the socialist
prohibition or any other third party
ticket. Why should man fear to
throw his vote away 1t IL not
throwing Ii away when il Is cast with
an honest hope consider all those
votes totally thrown away that peo-
pie cast knowing them TO be false to
their convictions. But when men
stand up and assert their indepen-
denee. they viii eventually command
respect Il events do not meet with
their approval, let them shape events