The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-02-23

l0dC lne new IuSji umeut 10 duSQudlc
to meet modern conditions.>
But the presidents war with the SEN
ate must inevitably split the republi-
can party That is why | said in the
beginning that 1.-The outlook for genu-
inc democracy was never brighter
because with the democratic party dead
and the republican party divided, a
new democratic party must arise, gath
ering up the scattered fragments into
a compact, militant organization which
will sweep everything before it.
In my opinion, 10 organization ex-
listing today will carry to victory the
banner of the new democracy. The
peoples party might have done so in
1886 or 1900, but for the tactical move
ment of the democratic party-which
because conditions had not reached
the crucial stage, delivered death
blow to the former, wholly regardless
of fusion" Doubtless fusion" broke
up the peoples party machinery lit
tie more quickly than an opposite
course would have done-but the Amer
ican people are opportunists and they
would have focked to Bryan, fusion
or no fusion"
The socialist party will not measure
up to the requirements of the new
democracy. 1t is ruled by an aristoc-
racy of idealists-only about one-tenth
of those who voted for Debs being
members of the party and having any
voice whatever in it's councils It's de-
mand for the collective ownership of
all the means of production and dis
tribution, however just it may seem
theoretically, will not receive support
from a majority of the voters-at least
not for many years to come. But So
cialism, in the larger sense as opposed
| to anarchism-or collectivism as op-
posed to individualism-wi be domi-
nant in the new democracy In fact,
majority rule, the keynote of democ-
racy, is form Of cOllectivism or CO.
ercion of the minority by the majority
and bitterly opposed by the ideal
anarchists.
The peoples party, although not, in
my judgment, destined to finally win
the decisive victory ~fUr- the new de-
mocracy, will furnish the nucleus
around which will be gathered the win
ming army. Its demands may not stand
the test of hair-splitting theoreticians;
but they are sound enough for practi-
cal men. In the last analysis, the peo
pies party demands mean that gov
| ernment business shall be transacted
by duly chosen government officials
without the delegation of power tc
any private individual or association
OF individuals; and that private bust
ness shall be conducted by private per
sons with the least possible interfer
ence on the part of government con
sistent with the public peace. This
may be criticised as vague and mean
ingless; but SO may any abstract state
ment
Thousands of years of progress in
the direction of civilization have shown
men that private persons may not safe
| ly be entrusted to do two things:
Coin money or own and control high.
ways. There may be others-but these
two are of such vast Importance, thai
| VIC HCCu uOI COuCCIu OuIoC4VGS uUW 1t
garding the others. Let these be set
tied first, the peoples party demands
After that there will always be sub
| jects for reform.
Highways and money-these are The
| two questions which the new democ
racy will be called upon to settle. These
are the two problems which now press
for solution. And the peoples party
the pioneer in demanding their proper
settlement, will, like all pioneers, givt
way to the new party that will do tn,
work, and lose its identity in that par
ty.' Such is my present guess-I CLAIM
no gift of prophecy
The crisis, however, which will oc
casion the birth of new party, is no
yet upon us and no paper" organj
zation can force it. There is no caus
for abandoning the peoples party nov
:. that will come later when condition
! imperatively demand it, The 114,00
who voted for Watson and Tibbles ar
not likely to desert the old ship unit
the logic of events shows a better on
to sail in. And they can do much tc
ward helping the movement along, b.