The independent., 1904-01-14

cured from the political parties then
dominating the policies of govern
ment. and when that conviction rip
ened into desire for action, the Oppor-
tunity to aid in the formation of a
new political party presented itself,
and / entered upon that work with
all the vigor | could command, giving
thereto both time and means.
Thus was the impulse to break from
the power of oppression fOsteIed and
cultivated until occurred that memor-
able nomination, by that new party,
of Mr.. Bryan, at st. Louis. That par
ty which had secured our undivided
affection, sincerity and devotion,
there prostituted all; that work, hope
and spirit, so inspired. in a disastrous
betrayal. The campaign of 1896 over,
/ determined to ever after oppose fu-
sion with any party,s or any division
or group of men representing a party,
or piece of a party, and SO far as pos
sible | have adhered to that line OF
action.
AS a mid-road populist, | opposed
fusion or agreement with socialists;
opposed the movement for an allied
peoples party, both at Kansas City
in 1901 and at Louisville in 1902. And
I opposed the fusion with fusionlsts
at Denver in 1903.
held that the mid-road peoples
party was quite as legally constituted
as any political party ever was, and
for the purposes of genuine reform
was altogether right.
AS political organization the mid
road peoples party roll of member
ship was always open to the reception
OF any voter, whatever his previous
party affiliation. There was with the
mid-roaders, opportunity and wei
come awaiting the socialist. the sim
gle taxer, the municipal ownership
man, the prohibitionist, the fusionist,
the democrat or republican. All who
joined, should be treated fairly, gen.
erously and without prejudice.
Now, with this opportunity open to
every one, by the mid-roaders, OF
what use to hold conference with a
group of men claiming allegiance or
influence in other political Organiza-
tions, and thereby make some kind
Of a new agreement; more especially
when the mid-roaders all the time,
with tenacity born of desperation,
adhered to every attribute of the
Omaha platform? Why conference
of that character?
Well, the conference was held and,
contrary to my ideas, a new condition
was inaugurated.
| voted for Mr.. Bryan in 1896 be-
cause / could not do otherwise, and
in any attitude whatever vote for re-
form.
And now, give adherence to the
Denver agreement, not because | be-
lieve it was in any sense necessary
affair or of any practical benefit to the
reform cause. In fact, believe that
like every other fusion the people s
party has entered upon, it will be
found a hindranCe to reform progress
and milestone about the neck of re-
form sincerity; but l must go with
the Omaha declaration, mistaken
leaders-as l believe-to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
The editorial in The Independent of
December 81. "a Straightforward
Course" is so nearly in accord with
my views, that | am persuaded there
by to suggest some ideas concerning
organization. In the aforesaid edi-
torial appears paragraph as fol-
lows: But the peoples party can
go to the bone and sinew' of Ameri-
ca, the home builders. home owners
and producers. Relative to organi-
zation, l first observe that "the old
guard" of true and tried money re-
form populsts, are about the only
men who, in any essential respect,
seem to comprehend the vital roa-
son and extraordinary necessity aris-
ing from the question.
Why should people, who would
preserve the essence of civil liberty
practice eternal vigilance as the price
of that liberty? Yet we are often dis
appointed In many of "the old guard
because In their eagerness to en-
brace the millennium OF happiness,
which they feel the triumph OF pop
ulism would achieve. they are con-
stantly allowing themselves to be de-
luded into eestatic antlclpations OF
what victories that profound states
man. Thomas Il. Watson; or that
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