People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1896 — Congressional Convention [ARTICLE]

Congressional Convention

Pursuant to instruction from the State Central Committee. I hereby call a convention of the People’s Party of the, Tenth Congressional District of Indiana to meet at Rensselaer at one o’clock sharp, on Saturday, June 20, 1896. to elect two delegates and two alternates to the People’s Party National convention to be held at St. Louis. Mo., July 22, .1896, said Congressional Convention to be composed of delegates, one delegate from each township and one additional delegate for each fifty and major fraction thereof of the votes cast for Dr. Robinsah for secretary of state, which will entitle thn several counties to delegates as foll.ws; Warren 13. Tippecanoe 16. White 16. Benton 12, Newton 13, J asper 24, Lake 15. Porter 15. La Porte 23. The several county chairmen are requested to at once assemble county conventionsto select delegates as above. Counties that are unorganized will meet in mass convention and besides naming delegates perfect organization. Arrangements have been made for half fare rates on the Monon and a large popular gathering is assured as speakers of national reputation will address the people in the afternoon and evening on the Free Coinage of Silver and Money Question. Hon. Robert Schilling of Milwaukee has been engaged and negotiations are in progress to also secure Senator Allen of Ncbraeka. These speakers are so well known and such able orators that no pains should be spared to make this inaugural event in the campaign of this district productive of greatgood. Half rates good going on Friday and Saturday and ret urning on Sunday. F. D. Craig, Chairman.

I believe, in common with millions of other citizens, that the time has come, as at long intervals it does come, when party names and mere party fealty, however useful such sentiments may sometimes be, should not keep asunder those who cherish the same convictions upon vital, exigent, imperative public questions. Parties are neither masters to be served, nor idols to be worshipped—but means to an end. It is precisely the thick and thin partisan spirit and what holds of that and results from it, is the source of ftiany, if not most of the evils from which our republic- if it is, indeed, any longer a republic is now sick nigh unto death. For so sick it is. The man who does not see signs of its imminent peril, is either entirely unobservant, or is wilfully blind. Judge Cyrus F. McNutt.