The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-12-22
WHAT OF THE FUTURE?

plutOcracy appears to be more firmly
seated on the nations shoulders than
the old man of the mountain ever was
on those of Sinbad the sailor.
AS the money problem affects the in
terests of every man, woman and child
more seriously than any other does,
it is always pending-even when Moth
ing is said about it. Every well-posted
man knows that. when congress reas-
sembles, the bankers will demand the
prompt passage of new banking law
promised them last spring, that will
greatly increase their power and profit
and render the masses still more de-
pendent on them for the medium of ex-
change, without which it is impossible
to do business-and yet eight out OF
the nine parties that nominated presi-
Dental candidates entirely ignored the
money problem. or assumed it to be
"irrevocably settled" and the popu-
lists alone pronounced it the para
mount issue.
The slight interest evinced by the
masses during the last campaign is no
proof that they are content with pres
ent condltions-and they are not. In
deed, millions Of them are sorely trou-
bled about the future. Their quietness
was due to the facts that they saw that
the contest between the two great par
ties was only sham battle; that the
conditions under which the populist
party was disentangling itself and be-
ing reorganized made it difficult to tell
exactly what it will ultimately be:
and that the other parties are factional,
impractical, or demand the impossible
And now we are confronted by the
question, What next?
If read the signs of the times Alright
the antagonistic ideas and aims OF the
"Rooseveltian" and the 'What-isthere-
in-it-for-me" elements in the republic
can party must become more and more
pronounced, and eliminate in rup-
ture before 1908-with the plutocracy
still in control of the party machinery
The armed truce (anl coalition) be-
tween the Bryan and Cleveland wings
of the democracy ended yesterday and
the struggle between them recon-
menced today. 1t is, however, fore
gone conclusion that the plutocracy
will retain control Of the party ma
chinery; that Mr.. Bryan and his fol-
lowers will be compelled to surrender
Internationally, or leave the party, and
that some Of them will do the one and
some the other.
Fortunately for itself-and the coun-
try the peoples party comes out of
the struggle united, homogeneous and
aggressive organization, unalterably
opposed to any futu-- alliance with ri
walls. This is all its leaders had hoped
to accomplish this year-but they have
done still better: they have secured a
hearing and convinced many thought
full people that, in Thomas e. Watson
their party has really great and pat
riotic leader; and that the party itself
is entitled to respect-which is well
worth all it has cost.
Is is true that the party is not yet
strong enough to wre-t the govern
ment from the hands of plutocracy, and
that millions are still deeply prejudiced
against it's name. But the most of it's
member care little for names, and
know no reasons why the progressive
elements that are being driven or ell
bowed out of the democratic and re-
publican parties may not be led to
unite with us-not as allied factions,
but as one party with a new name,
If desired) SO unequiyocally committed
to economic emancipation, by just and
rational methods, that the beneficiarics
of all unjust special privileges will re-
gard it as their irreconsilable enemy,
as instinctively as the slaveholding
class did the republican party at it's
birth-in spite Of it's very moderate
platform.
Mr.. Bryan proved his unfitness for
leadership four years ago when he con-
scented to the subordination of none
tary reform (the advocacy of which
had given him his position) to side and
minor issues. 1t was the abandonment
of that cause that enabled the money
power to unhorse him and to nomi-
nate Judge Parker; and it will be
mainly those of his followers that are
essentially populists that will leave
that party during the next four years.
I'M