Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-31
What is Left of the popuIist Party

What is Left of the PopuIist Party.
THE party has not entirely ceased to eX-
list. AS an Independent organization it has,
it is true, almost lost its identity. Its vot-
ing strength still remains. There is still
among the great mass of the voters the
same independence that manifested itself
in the organization and growth of the party
which will make its influence felt in the
future as 1t has in the past. The party has
been a great educator. Its ideas have been
investigated, approved and adopted by both
the great political parties. How often do
we now hear from the caverns of in
trenched wealth and power the cry that one
or the other of these two parties is en-
bracing political principles wholly popu-
llstic in character. And they are And
this accounts for the voters who consti-
tuted the rank and file of the party return
ing to the one or the other OF the stronger
parties. They are not politicians in the
sense that they want the Offices to be filled
by any particular party or any particular
set of men. All they demand is that good
and wholesome laws for the benefit of all
shall be enacted; that the laws shall be
enforced against all alike, and that they be
protected from the encroachments of the
strong and powerful, represented by trusts,
great corporate industrial enterprises and
powerful transportation companies. They
ask no unfair advantage, nor are they will
ing that others shall enjoy special privi-
leses at their expense. They are willing to
respect the rights of others and of prop
erty In all Its forms, and simply ask that
their own rights be not trespassed upon.
THE democratic party has shown won
derful tenacity of life and power to re-
cuperate after severe defeat. 1t shows
signs OF returning TO the sanity IL man
ifested in 1896 and 1900 (you see sanity is A
comparative term), and II it continues
steadfast in the faith as expounded by
the founders of the party, see no re Jason
why IT should not win and retain so long
as II deserves TO, the confidence Of the
voters or a majority of them. The mental
alteration manifested year ago appears
to have been only transitory and is rapidly
passing away The leaders appeared too
anxious to get into office at the expense of
principle and consistency. They sacrificed
principle for expediency and the voters
would not under these circumstances rally
TO the support of the party's candidates.
The republican party, or at least some
or its chosen leaders, have manifested a
commendable determination to meet
present-day problems and solve them in a
way that will greatly rebound TO the coun-
try's good and the common veal. In these
Efforts loyal support, / doubt not, will
be given by the people generally. But let
the reactionary element. the ultra con-
servatives Of either party get control let
there be no hating, hesitation and uncer-
tainty or failure to meet and dispose OF
these pressing problems and II / mistake
not the state " the public mind the peo-
pies voice Will be heard in no uncertain
sound in condemnation of the betrayal OF
a public trust and of the failure to act
In these later days astounding maioritiel