The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-03-10

as South Dakota. Up to the middle OF
February only four had enrolled in
the Old Guard of Populism, and one
of those is really Nebrashan-Sena-
tor Muffly of Madison county, tenn
porarily at Hot Springs for his wife's
health, and another was a prominent
peoples party worker in Iowa in 1901.
But the action of the committees
at St. Louis seems to have had a
good effect. The letter below tells it's
own story. 1t was written upon a
letter head practically identical with
the one have used in the Old Guard
work, except that it carries the names
Of the state organization where mine
has the Denver conference organiza-
ton. j. M. Pease-the WRITER'S
chairman; E. J. Tracy, Of Minnehaha
county, is secretary; N. L. Crawley,
OF Hand county, treasurer; and T.
]. Thompson, OF Beadle county, or
ganizer.
Hurrah for the Old Guard of Pop
ulism of South Dakota! Have you
heard from South Dakota" was the
significant inquiry of several gentle
men at the st. Louis meeting, with
many grimaces and struggling of
shoulders, as much as to say, "Ah,
gentlemen, Mr.. Hearst has the popul-
lists of South Dakota in his vest pOck-
etr-haye you heard from South Da-
kota?"
Now, The Independent is not the
conscience-keeper for any populists,
except those connected with the pa
per, and 1t cheerfully acknowledges
the undoubted right of every populist
to be "for" Mr.. Hearst or any other
candidate he prefers. But il disllkes
to see snap judgment taken, especial
ly under the conditions which prevail
in South Dakota.
The suggestion of Mr.. Pease is
good. Some sort of working organi-
ZatiOn should be effected in each of
the So counties. I should suggest that
something after the plan outlined for
the Vanguard of Popul:sm would be
about right. Make an enrolment of
every voter who is willing to stand
up and be counted for the funda-
mental principles of populism as out
lined III the Omaha platform and In
the St. Louis address, and who APP
proves the action of the two commit
tees at st. Louis in calling the Spring
field convention. Advertise thor
oughly the Springfield call. Call a
state convention, say for about June
Is, giving plenty of time to perfect
the enrolment. See that county con-
ventions are called in time 10 elect
delegates to the state convention.
And see to it that Vanguards are
elected as delegates to all conven-
tons, county, state and national
Then no matter who is the choice OF
South Dakota for president, there can
be no charge of bad faith or snap
judgment, and the populists of South
Dakota can be depended upon to sup
port the ticket nominated at Spring
field.
A record of this enrolment should
be made by the South DAKOTA organ
ization; but for the benefit of the
national committee, every enrolled
member in the state should also be
enrolled in the national Vanguard
records, thus keeping in touch with
tuc udIIOBdl Oi6dHILdllOu. MI.
Pease's letter follows.-D.
Editor Independent: A reference
to your enrolment of the Old Guard
OF Populism will convince you that
no state in the Union. more than
South Dakota. needed the reviving in
fuences and inestimable benefits
which are sure to result to our cause
in this state from that gathering OF
reform patriots held In st. Louis on
Washington's birthday.
The st. Louis meeting possessed,
In the highest degree. the two essen
tial elements for success which have
characterized every crisis in the lite
OF the republic and OF every worthy
reform movement In thus eountry.
First. les leading spirits placed ev-
every vital interest OF the cause above
self. and. second. both factions were
possessed by a determination for ul-
innate and complete union that no
personal differences. past or present.
could overcome. Reunion under such
heroic conditions aud dispositions
wa inevitable
The future OF the cause Of economic
reform Ii secure In the hands of such
men an recently met nj N. Louis.
Thta fNunlou az nanultaus sssill -