The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-04-28
TON WATsON's LETTERS


human nature, or for public notice.
If we concede Bro Watson honest
when he wrote his first letter to Sam
uel Williams, and equally SO when he
wrote to the Atlanta News, then we
would like to know why we "came all
the way over the trail"? Simply to
say, Don't know anything?
| I am aware that human nature pTi-
marily' is the same, but that by men
tai cultivation, and poetic training,
man is often able to hide selfish mo-
tive from view by the glamor of rhe-
toric, is well-known fact. That
men have acted a double part in past
ages no doubt gave existence to the
thought, BE sure thy sins will find
thee out" and the warning, Woe un-
to the man of whom all men speak
WE'LL"
Personally, | am fully persuaded
that a political party, building on the
ground floor of reform, could make
no greater mistake than to promulgate
a disposition of hero worship. When
ever party fails to recognize ability
wherever it appears and to utilize it
for good, it shows bossism where
a few propose to rule or ruin.
Whatever may be the mental equip
ment of our Bro. Watson as literary
genius, though his fame may have
spanned the civilized nations, still the.
fact remains that there is great
difference between a literary genius
and a political genius and leader Of
men. Wise men-even philosophers
have often shown want of tact. And
in this connection feel that ! am
justified in saying that the letters
written by Bro. Watson Zone to Sam
|uel Williams and the one written to
the Atlanta News cannot but cause
many to wish he had not done it.
They are not twins.
Some there are who imagine If they
are not connected with and working
for the success of some one particular
party, that they are tout Of politics"
and this might be SO, provided they
maintained silence; but where man,
who has by his previous life held a
commanding position of public influ-
ence, rushes into print airing his opin-
ion on public questions, he cannot
truthfully say, Il am not in politics"
Some seem to think that Watson
took advantage of an opportunity to
"trip Grover Cleveland up the back. :"
Some there are who think, or seem
I to think, it was far-seeing stroke Of
, political policy, enabling Hearst to
support Watson in case the democratic
convention turns Hearst down.
On this point the Missouri World
says wisely 1t was a dangerous un-
dertaking." l desire to be charitable
concerning the matter, but to my
mind the whole affair Is truly unfor-
tunate, both as to Mr.. Watson and his
: friends.
Now as to the cause Of pOpulism,
do not see that the letters can ma
terially affect the onward sweep of
the cause of the populist party. No
man is big enough to sweep from
the political sky the cause of human
J ity by writing letter to newspa-
per. No man can sound retreat to
host of patriots fired by the love OF
home and country. No man Is big
enough to say, Go there, or Come here.
No man can say to the populists, do
ILLS Vi w JAdty III pOPuAoto - . AAOAA
endowed with principles well defined
and will never lay down their honest
conviction or hoist the white flag as
long as the monster CT greed en-.
trenched behind the law overrides
their liberties.
} The peoples party is patriotic pro-
, test against political corruption. The
peoples party believes both the two
, old parties are corrupt; that both are
under the domination Of the money
power; and that both have passed
laws prohibiting the formation Of
other parties. Both have had power
only to abuse 1t and this. too, at the
beck and nod of their masters. And
as long as popuist believes this,
he cannot vote with either md to do
so would be to give the lie to all he
has been preaching In the past.
No; Watson's letters will do us no
harm. AT Springfield the word has
gone forth that a united party will
meet. A straight populist platform
with straight populist candidates will
be made and placed before tho nation.
No more fusion. No more conferences
with any party but an open door for
a.