The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-12-15
The referendum taken by The
independent, at ] g o'clock noon, on
Wednesday stood:
For Peoples Party organization 5,lS4
For cooperation with Democrats 1913
1884
1873


yestments, for that is all a party ought
to be to any man.
| do not agree with those who trace
our decadance in numerical strength
to our alliance with the democrats.
To my mind. this view is a very flimsy
excuse for those who have been re-
creant. It is true. there have been
many Irritating incidents to co-opera-
ton with the democrats, such as their
refusal to endorse Watson in 1896 and
Towne in 1900. but how paltry are
these little disappointments to a man
of deep convictions The trouble has
been, that too many so-called populists
were not rooted and grounded in the
faith. They were mere fair weather
ref0rmers. In my humble judgment,
there is greater reason for thought
full man being a populist or something
kindred thereto in sentiment today,
than ever before. The evils against
which the pioneer populist raised his
voice, we're trifling compared to the
enormous evils which exist today. It
may well be doubted whether any
man who originally acted with the
party, and yet has deserted it in the
face of constantly augmenting evils,
ever was very deeply IN earnest.
1t has passed into proverb that few
persons can stand prosperity, which TO
a great extent accounts for the slum
in the populist vote. Having become
personally prosperous by the favor of
the Almighty it has turned their heads
not only away from their party but
from their superficial principles There
are a great many people who do not
look beyond the post hoe, propter
hoe" argument
In this state some have probably fall
len away on account of disappointment
with certain shortcomings of populist
administration. In some particulars it
must be confessed, our party did not
keep full faith. I do not mean to dis
parage populist rule as whole, for it
was vast improvement upon that of
the republican party, and deserved bet
ter treatment than it received at the
polls, but there is no doubt that the
course of certain populist officials in
respects had tendency to bring the
party into disfavor with some, and
s. We our enemies handle. 1t seems
that Senator Allen deprecates the anti
pass issue because he fears it 'sdi-
verts attention from government own
ership," but in my opinion the pass has
a much greater influence in diverting
public men from their duty, than it has
in creating the diversion he mentions.
However, contend that not all these
things taken together, nor princi-
palities, nor powers, nor things present,
nor things to come" should be able to
separate genuine pOpuiist from his
faith at this juncture, and all these
so-called reasons for apostacy are lit
tie better than Dretexts.
But what of the future? Where does
the best prospect lie of realizing our
hopes and achieving our aims? Is it
by continuance of separate action or
by a resumption of former relations
with the democrats f found to be
feasible? The peoples party organiza-
ton should undoubtedly be maintained,
Dut uOt III Tic spirit VI Special duIdS-
onism to the democrats. There is
to be gained by that in my
judgment. Our attitude should be one
of friendliness to the democrats pend
ing the developments and new align
ments that are inevitable in that party.
What good can it do to be constantly
showing our teeth and raising our
bristles to our former allies. The wiser
course would seem to be to hold our
selves in readiness to cooperate or
not as circumstances may determine.
| maintain that populists have no
good ground for losing faith in Mr.
Bryan. They never had and probably
never will have again SO able and fear
less leader unless they accept him.
I fully recognize the great ability of
Mr.. Watson. / watched his course
during thel ate campaign with admira-
ton, read his speeches with pleasure
and gladly voted for him, and yet he
Is not comparable to Bryan as the
champion Of the peoples cause. Does
think that bryan has re-