Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1893 — WHAT’S THE MATTER? [ARTICLE]

WHAT’S THE MATTER?

The Populists organized their new political party at Omaha on on the Fourth of July, 1892. They were soon to inherit the earth, but in this, their second campaign, they have been repudiated everywhere. Not evvn the free-silver ,sen‘imcnt of the West could be kept in line for the new party which fathered it last year. In Kansas, where they won the Legislature last year, they have been repudiated this year. In eightyone counties of that state the Republicans elected 362 officrs last week, and the populists only 107. In lowa they did not increase their vote, and in the south they are no longer feared. For a party { that CHme into existence with such i a fluuxibh of trumpets and made such impression before election, I the Populist is a very insignificant party after election. —Inter Ocean.

Editor Republican: In last week’s Republican we noticed an editorial in which the principles of the A. P. A. were given. Theeditoi stated that, “every person should read them that be may come to know that the organization is not such a terribly dangerous body as its enemies have claimed.” We were surprised to note the manner in which this simple statement was treated by the editor of the Sentinel. Is ♦hereanything unconstitutional, unlawful or unchristian like in any of those principles? Are they not in favor of free schools, free thought, free press and fret speech ? Are they not in favor of religious liberty ? They are not composed of any one political party, although they may have votes to cast as a unit. If they discover a man running on the Republican ticket, that they deem dangerous to our country’s welfare for such a man to be in office, they all unite to make certain his defeat If any on the Democratic ticket is considered inefficient for the office, he is treat'd in like manner. Farther than this, they are not a political organization. They are acting upon the defensive all the while. Their members are found in the ranks of all. political parties. Some of our very best, and prominent American citizens have their names enrolled upon the A. P. A. list. Camps are springing up all over the Republic, in cities, hamlets and districts. A very strong lodge is soon to be organized in the northern part of this county and in it will be found members of all political parties. A prominent Democrat of Jasper Co., told me not long ago that, “A camp of the A. P. A. should be located in every district in the United States.” Why any true patriotic American should oppose the principles of the A. P. A. is indeed a mystery not to be unveiled. We would not wonder at outlaws and anarchists setting up a complaint against them: but when an editor of a coud.j paper complains we wonder “d hat’s the matter?.” $ Everett Halstead.