The Greeley tribune., 1906-02-08

as a relief to my burdened memory
l desire to explain my circumstances,
that is my present political condi-
tion. The following "reminiscences
will explain:
Some years ago a populistic wave
rolled across the sea Of American
politics. This wave thoughsscarcely
a ripple in some Of the eastern and
southern states, grew nightly. as il
ascended the incline after crossing
the Mississippi and reached its
zenith in Nebraska, Kansas and
Colorado. This latter state was
overhowed to the extent that en-
thusiastic upholders Of the faith up
lifted its apostles to victory and
seated them on the highest pedestaIs
Of the commonwealth. In good plain
American language, the other parties
were showed under. The props
were Knocked from beneath and they
hadn't leg to stand on, Oh
Those were glorious days for US, and
l can feel yet an echo Of that victor
ious time when the majority Of the
state boastingIy avowed, L am
populist." a few, only few, mind
you, were unregenerated and re-
maiued republicans or democrats.
These, however, were seldom seen in
public. They travelled not on the
highways, but skulked shametaced
through the alleys and across lots.
Some say they almost cried from
pure lonliness.
Early maturity, early decay APP
plies to mans as we'll as natures
work. This grand editice, created
almost with the celebrity Of the Genii
who served Aladdin, had not the sta
bility to Withstand a siege from the
old parties, neither were its own
members true to their Eandiwork,
for be it known that populists as
well as others have aspirations and
almost every individual member
wanted to hold Office. That being
impossible owing to an insufficient
number of official chairs, eacn dis
appointed aspirant became dis
gruntIed-left the party and returned
whence he came. II not king
among dogs, then dog he would be
among kings. As dog to its
yomit so did be return" Then
came strenuous work. That big gun
the most effective known to man
kind called ''ridicule" was pointed
at the weakening garrison. Slowly
but surely it melted beneath this
fire. In the meantime some busy
democrats tore from this peoples
platform such planks as would lend
an attractive look to their own.
Republicans as we'll stole a little
timber-not for use though, mind
you-but merely as ornament, as a
child would adOrn its hair with a
| flower. | may as we'll mention here
that Roosevelt has lately been resur-
recting some Of the unstolen planks,
that then bore the brand of anarch-
ism, and is building a world Of
trouble for somebody with them.
But to return:
From the combined forces attack
ing the strength of the populist
party rapidly deteriorated, until the
conventions were represented by a
pitifully small number Of the long
haired and unshaven. Thus owing
to scarcity Of material, l presume,
l was unanimously elected county
chairman of Weld.
That was the last county COnven.
tion. There the last populist was
nominated to come before the people.
Leaf by leaf the roses fall. Sill,
emily the ship was deserted. Only
the captain remains. The boy still
stands on the burning deck. i feel
like one who treads alone.
The years have come and gone, yet
have l trod the deck of this derelict,
true to my trust and too proud tC
ask to be taken aboard either of the
corrupt, yet unworthy crafts oI
democrat or republican.
Thus alone in my glory-a mar
without a party-or maybe to be
more exact, having an entire party
all by my lone. | am now ponder,
ing upon my future. What is my
duty? What the proper procedure
There are no precedents to follow
Never since the settlement in the
garden of Eden has there been {
similar case. | sure am it u
to me are the vital questions Of next
falls campaign. No arguments are
possible except by self communion
am not even of a dual nature. /
| I ,,saE ,ua,t1l Ial. gpt,,l for pnt