As the nation 's largest third party , the Populists had made an organizational decision in 1896 to '' fuse '' with the Democratic Party on the national level - though the two parties offered different nominees for Vice President .
As the nation 's largest third party , the Populists had made an organizational decision in 1896 which had major consequences for the party . 
 On the national level , the Populist Party '' fused '' with the Democratic Party - though the two parties offered different nominees for Vice President .