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THE JACKSON ECONOMIST. VOL. VII. cjpfjiraiM President of the Reform Press Association, Delivered at Kansas City, May 16, ’99. The following is most of the address of Hon. Frank Burkitt, delivered at the meeting of the National Reform Press Association, at Kansas City, May 16, 1899. Brethren and Sisters of the N. R. P. A.. Another year has come and gone, and again we are assembled in annual meeting to renew pleasant acquaiutauce, to exchange fraternal greeting; to re hearse the labors of the past in behalf of a righteous cause; to congratu late each other on the success that has attended honest efforts for the allevia tion of the oppressed; to carefully note our mistakes that they may be hence forth avoided and to devise ways and means to promote the interest of the in dustrial and wealth producing classes of this country, in their irrepressible conflict against the insolent aggressions and grievous wrongs sought to be heaped upon them by the plutocracy. Iu such a glorious cause, the Reform Tress long since enlisted, and though trials and tribulations have beset us on every hand and failure has often at tended our labors, there is to be no re laxation of effort and no surrender un til a decisive triumph for the people shall have been won. It is not arrogance to claim that no class in this country have been more patient, more earnest, and more self sacrificing in their devotion to the cause of right and justice than the Re form Press, and if ours is to again be a government for the benefit of the gov erned; if the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is to be re stored to the people; if our beloved country is to be in fact as in nam°, “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” to the Reform Press should be ascribed the praise accorded the faith ful sentinel on the watchtower, who bravely guarded the gates of the city, noted the insidious approach of the en emy and gave timely warning to the sleepsng inmates within the citadel, that they might rally to the defense of the Republic, purchased by the blood of the Patriot fathers and transmitted by them to posterity as a sacred heri tage. HOW THE PEOPLES PARTY WAS FORMED Years ago, the destructive policy of the Republican party and the deceit and treachery of the Democracy, who pretending to oppose Republicanism before the election, always betrayed the trust reposed in them afterwards, created the necessity for anew political organization, which should take the constitution as its guide, “equal rights to all and special privileges to none” as its slogan and devote its energies to the restoration of the Union as it was and the people of all the states to that pros perity. which their indefatigable in dustry and the blessings of God on their labors merited and received before the two old parties had succumbed to the corrupt and corrupting influence of plutocracy. Many of the purest and best men in the old parties had noted the trend of political events for many years, but hoping to be instrumental in purifying the party of their fathers, spent their early manhood in the work of reforma tion inside the party, but fiuding all their efforts futile, they were reluctant ly impelled to abandon old affiliations, and lend their energies and abilities to the organization of anew party, which would honestly contend for the true interests of the masses. Moved by the most unselfish and patriotic motives, believing implicitly in the correctness of their principles, firmly relying in the justice of their cause and trusting in God for a favor able result, these men met at Omaha July 4th, 1892, and organized the Peo ple’s party. If the necessity for organizing such a party existed in 1892, the aecessity for its perpetuation exists now y If the principles avowed at Omaha were cor rect in 1892, they are correct today. If the evils of which we complained in 1892 existed then, they have been in tensified since that time. And if we were forced to break away from old WINDER, JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, JUNE i, 1899- party lines and associations in order to bring questions of vital interest to the people prominently to the front and to keep them there uutill they are settled right, we must stand aloof from all en tangling alliances with either old party. GROWTH OF THE PEOPLES PARTY. * The history of Populism shows a most wonderfal growth, so long as re formers stood firmly by their principles and refused to compromise with error. It is true our strength was mainly in the north, northwest and south because the insidious influence of overgrown wealth had already sapped the founda tion of the Temple of Liberty in the East, and converted the industrial classes into a state of practical peonage. But with all disadvantages under which this political infant in swaddling cloths labored, its demands were so rea sonable and its arguments so convinc ing, that ere it was six months old it mustered out an army of 1,055,424 as stalwart patriots as ever drew blade iu freedom’s cause, and in two years this army had increased to 1.600,000 well trained soldiers and their rfnks were being recruited daily and hourly from among the noblest, purest and best in the laud. The West and South fur nished the greater number of the Peo ples party voters, not because the views entertained by reformers were of a sec tional nature, but because these sections were the greater sufferers from the pol icy inaugurated and kept in opperation by both the old parties and it is ration al to believe, that hsd not our leaders allowed themselves to be beguiled by the old Democratic hag, disguised as a free silver syren in 1896 we would hrve had today the 2nd if not the first politi cal party in this country, harmonious in its organization; advantageously en camped on the high grounds of princi ple; impregnably intrenched behind the battlements of right; its council fires blazing with enthusiasm and its vota ries ready to press forward when the word of command shall be given in 1900 to a victorious assault upon the legion3 of pelf, plunder and piracy, who too long have despoiled the wealth producers of the laud and raided every department of our national govern ment. EVILS OF FUSION. The enemies of the people alarmed at the wonderful growth of the reform sentiment set themselves to the task of devising some scheme to deceive the public anew, and knowing the seduc tive influence of political ambition se lected fusion as the apple of discord to be cast into Populist ranks. The Chicago convention, as a part of the preconcerted plan, appropriated the free silver plank of the Omaha platform and the officeholders and office seekers in those sections which had shown re sults most satisfactory to reformers raised the cry of “a union of forces.” Moved by their own selfish ambition they were oblivious to the fact that the very influence which made it possible for our brethen of the North west to accept Wm. J. Bryan, would have driv en the Populists of the South, had they yielded to the expediency argument, to a coalition with the Republicans, or what in my judgment, would have been as bad, an unconditional surrender to their most implacable enemy and a hu miliating return to tho fold of Bour bon Democracy. Neither alternative was acceptable to the genuine Southern Popi list and being abandoned by his Western brother and unwilling to sur render to Democracy or make terms with the Republicans, he could do noth ing more than stay in the middle of the road and watch the procession go by. This course of procedure was not of our own choosing. It was the result of the conditions which environed us, and while we claim no credit for the con stancy and zoal displayed by Southern Populists in maintaing the true faith, we trust, in the Providence of God, those conditions may yet prove to be the salvation, of the Peoples party. To the mistaken policy, which led to the disastrous results of the campaign of 1896, we may trace the cause of all the contention and want of harmony which has existed in reform ranks since the unfortunate hour, when a majority of our representatives consented to go outside the party to find a candidate for President, but surely everything that could have been said for or against the policy has been said and su cly n o one, not a Democrat or Republican at heart, will contend the campaign of '96 should be duplicated. Sad experience has demonstrated that fusion with the Democracy in Kansas and Nebraska and with the Republicans in North Car olina means the speedy disintegration aud death of the Peoples party, if lon ger continued, aud it n quires no seer to comprehend that the time has arrived when crimination and recrimination among Populists should cease. Let the dead past bury the dead and let us re form our lines in the middle of the road, for a united and harmonious ef fort in 1900. THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION. This should have been done at Omaha one year ago, but unfortunately the personal ambition of some of our lead ers overshadowed their patiiotic irnpul ses and fusion snake was only scotohed not killed outright. It was, therefore, necessary to continue the fight for a straight ticket on an unequivocal plat form aud whatever we may think, in dividually, of the wisdom or unwisdom of the Cincinnati convention of Sep tember 18G8, it did promulgate such a platform and it did suggest the names of two able and patriotic men as wor thy to bear the standard of reform in 1900, aud without further action on the part of the rank and file of the party insures a straight Populist ticket in the next presidential campaign and relieves genuine reformers of the necessity of choosing the lesser evil, or foregoing the privilege of expressing their honest sentiments at the polls. Should “Che boys in the trenches,” to whom the irbmination of Barker and Donnelly was referred, ratify the ac tion, we will have a ticket which in in tellect, moral worth, and political in tegrity cannot be excelled on this conti nent, and should a majority for any reason prefer to name another ticket, in whole or in part, we have the assur ance from both sage and servant of a cheerful acquiescence. THE POPULIST POSITION TODAY. So far as my observation goes nothing has transpired since our last annual meeting to change the position of true populists on the all absorbing questions which have agitated the public mind for years past. They stand today squarely committed to the doctrine laid down in the Omaha platform. Finan cial, Land and Transportation reforms are still our cardinal tenets and these we would secure through the medium of Direct Legislation. The initiative, referendum and imperative mandate have all been incorported in the popu list cr6ed and our purpose is if given the opportunity by the people to shame the old party leaders who have so often deceived their followers by demonstrat ing our absolute sincerity. EVILS OF CONCENtRATED WEALTH History will belie itself, if a people can remain free after the wealth of the coun try has drifted into the hands of the few, for it is then the grasping landlord lays claim to the soil and denies the husbandman the right to compel moth er earth to yield him sustenance, except npon the most exacting terms; it is then giant corporations absorb and consoli date thousands of miles of railroad tra versing an empire in domain and com pels the producer to pay “all the traffic will bear” before the consumer is reach ed; it is then capital combines in all the mining enterprises, mechanic arts and avenues of trade and commerce and ut terly crushed individual enterprise, skill ed labor and the small dealers; it is then the hideous money octopus assumes ab solute control of the finances of the country, and by a skillful but heartless manipulation of its concentrated mil lions, dictates the price of all commod ities, paralyzes trade and creates panics, which invariably results in the depre ciation of property values and untold loss to the small home owners and men of moderate means. By these iniquitou- processes, tolerat ed and encouraged by the powers that be and have been since the civil war, thousands upon thousands of our indust rious population are yearly dropping in to the ranks of the homeless and unem ployed . I am pursuaded the Peoples party or ganization and platform of principles fill the requirements of the hour, and will fully meet every emergency that may confront u 9, if harmony shall pervade the ranks of those who desire purer methods of government, and men of brains who who love their country aud humanity more than self honors or wealth can be found with the courage to lead. “G-od give us men: a time like this de mands, Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and readv hands: Men whom the lust of lucre does not kill; Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions snd a will; Meu who have honor; men who will aot lie; Men who c/m stand before a dema gogue, Aud damn his treacherous flatteries without winking; Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty and in private think ing; For while the politicians with their thumbworn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds. Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps, Wrong rules the laud, aud waiting Justice sleeps.” CONCLUSION. And now. brethren and sisters, the task you assigned me near a year ago is about completed. ’Tis said “duty’’ is the noblest word iu the English lang uage, and its demands when heard and understood by me has always called forth the strongest impulses of my nat ure and the most zealous work of my hands, and if your verdict shall be “well done thou good and faithful comrade’, the dearest aspiration of my head and heart will have been gratified. While not unappreciative of the kind preferences heretofore shown me by you my worthy colaborersin a glorious cause. I have not sought or desired preferment at your hands in ths past and I have no ambition to hold or retain a place tfhat will make me more consplcious in this movement than any of my associ ates. I prefer a less exalted station than that which has been assigned me by the reform press for the past three years and I now most cheerfully return to you the ensignia of authority, accom panied by the sincere hope you may se lect a more efficient president. In conclusion permit me to thank you, one and all, for the uuiform kindness and courtesy extended to me upon all occasions, and to officers aud members of the Executive Board specially for val ued assistance they have rendered me in the discharged of the duties de volving upon your presiding < fficer. Frank Burkitt. Mr. John Bevins, editor of the Press, Authon, lowa, says; “I have used Chamberlain’s Colic, Cholera and Diar rhoea Remedy in my family for fifteen years, have recommended it to hutid dreds of others, and have never known it to fail in a single instance. For sale by Winder Drug Cos, Gainesville, Jefferson & Southern Railroad. SOUTH BOUND. No. 82. No. 84. Lv. Gainesville 610a. m. 955a. m. Lv. Belmont 640a. m. 10 25 a. m. “ Hoschton 710a. m. 12 65 p. m. “ Winder 745 a. in. 200 p. m. “ Monroe 835a. m. 250 p. m. Ar Social Circle 915 a. m. 8 80 p. m. NORTH BOUND. No. 83. No. 81. Lv. Social Circle 11 00 a. m. 450 p. m. “ Monroe 1140 a m. 525 p.m. “ Winder 156 p. m. 615 p. m. “ Hoschton 222 p. m. 648 p. m. “ Belmont 300 p. m. 715 p. m. Ar. Gainesville 335 p. m. 746 p. m. Jefferson Branch, NORTH BOUND. No. 87. No. 89. Lv. Jefferson 550 am, 11 35 am. Lv. Pendergrass 615a. m. 12 00 m. Ar. Belmont 640 a. in. 12 25 p. m. SOUTH BOUND. No. 88 - N0.,90, Lv. Belmont 715 p. m. 10 25 a. m. Lv. Pendergrass 738 p. m. 10 43 a. in. Ar. Jefferson 800 p. m. 11 10 a. m. S. C. DUNLAP. Receiver. THE GREAT Reform Paper OF THE NORTHWEST The Representative EDITED BY Ignatius Donnelly, Peoples Party Candidate for Vice Pres ident in 1900. Author of “Atlantia” “Raguaiok,” “The Great Cryptogram,” “Cseiar’g Column,” "Doctor Hnguet, ” ‘‘The Golden Bottle,” “The American Peo ple’s Money” etc. Ci’eolation National, and rapidly in creasing. Contains in each issue. Lit erary gems, trenchant criticisms, real istic pen pictures, terse logic and origi nal thought expressed in pure diction that commands the admiration of every reader. The Representative is classic in its language and as an educator in econo mic thought has no peer Terms one year one dollar, six months 50 cents, three months 25 cent*. Addres: THE REPRESENTATIVE, Boston Block, Minneapolis, Minn. With The Economist $1.60 for ouj year. rfrergi NEW YORK WORLD, ’ THRICE A-WEEK EDITION. Practically a Daily at the price of a Weekly. Tho striking and important events of the last year have established the over whelming value of The Thrice-a Week World to every reader. For an almost nominal sum it has kept its subscribers informed of the progress of all our wars and, moreover, has reported them as promptly and fully as if it were a daily. With our interests still extending throughout the world, with our troops operating in the Philippines, and the jjreat Presidential campaign, too, at hand, its value i6 further increased. The motto of The Thrice-a Week World is improvement. It strives each year to be better than it was the year before, and public confidence in it is shown by the fact that it now circulates more than twice as many papers every week as any other newspaper, not a daily, published in America. We offer this uuequaled newspaper and This Economist together one year for $1.50 The regular subscription price of the two papers is $2.00 SUBSCRIBE FOR The Georgia Tribnne, Published Every Friday by Hen nig & Cartledge, Proprietors of The Daily Tribune, AUGUSTA, CA. The Only Populist Daily Paper in the South. The Georgia Tribune gives the big news which happens all over the Country in condensed form every week. Full Market Report with latest quotations on Cotton. Wheat, Stocks, Com, Hay <fcc. Contains articles from able re formers of National Reputation and Ability. Discusses economic questions and topics of current interest in a plain fearless manner. Hews to the line without regard to who picks up the chips. It is just the paper every re former needs. The price is SI.OO Per Year To any address, or 75c In clubs ol 10 or more. • • f CLUB RATE, The Economist and Tribuueone year for $1.25 One Minute Cough Cure, cures. That is what it wu made for. NO. 2i.