Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-14
4 LoNa 500 n0wNlrARn.


The step taken by the delegates OF the
Farmers alliances and the knights Of
Labor in nominating county ticket In
Tarrant county must be regretted by
every sincere, rejecting friend OF the
people who are in those organizations.
1t Is n bold plunge into the vortex of
politics, which in the end will wreck the
alliance and the labor organization. 1t
Is done against the protest Of the highest
and ablest officers OF both orders, who,
in the persons OF Mr.. Dunlap and Mr.
Powderly, have warned them of the dan
ger OF taking part In political strife, and
besought them TO avoid that danger.
Reckless of consequences, needless of
advice, Radical element In both orders
are driving them forward to destruction
to crafty their ambitions and resent
ments by making the membership OF the
lodges and assemblies political solid
arlty. ,
THE GAZETTE honestly regrets the ac-
ton of the Tarant County Farmers al
lance and knights of Labor, or, as these
organizations must henceforth be called,
the political opposition, because the ex.
ample OF Tarrant county will have imlta-
tors throughout the state among lodges
that, without that example, would have
kept out OF political strife. We regret
this, not as Democratic journal, fearful
of the opposition that Is threatened, but
out OF honest regard for the welfare of
the men who belong to the farmers ALI.
ance and the Knights Of Labor Con.
Quoted upon the principles had in view
by their founders, these orders are capa.
bic OF doing much for the good of farmers
and working people of all classes. But
those principles have been departed from,
and the early dissolution OF the organiza.
lions, or their decay and disablement, is
an Inevitable consequences Looking upon
them as doomed, unless change is made
IN their management, TIE GAZETTE is
genuinely sorry that mistake so fatal
and so foolish should have been made.
There was work for both organizations.
worthy of their proudest attention. This
work was outside OF the political arena
IL was In the moral, intellectual, social
uplifting of the people, who need help to
better their condition. Men Joined them
with this hope in their hearts, that by
working together an influence could be
ouilt up which would lead them on
toward happier destiny. They had no
thought OF entering into an agreement to
build up gigantic political society, with
grips, passwords, myst, rles and para
phernalla, which should take the
place OF caucus, make nominations
Tor political office, and bInd the minority
10 adhere to this caucus action OF
the majority to support men whom thew
do not believe worthy Of support. The
cohesive mutTality OF he organizations
Is gone, and ;he spirit of philanthropy
and the feeling of confidence in eaeh
other which inspired the members To
come together 10 no iuore active among
them' They are no j nger working for
the good OF the whole, but for the adyan.
iage OF few who want office. They are
div ded into factions, each intent upon
the nomination OF its favorites and com.
peillng the others to support the ticket
mus made by the power Of the oancns
Scisms and revolts must ensue, and Tho
END Is rupture and dlslntegratlon.
A political society may be kent alive
Tor political purposes. OF this Tammanv
Is an example But proiessed beneyo.
lehtsocial organization cannot be main.
tanned by the same methods that have
made Tammany successful aud powerful
y must restrict its duties to the accom-.
plishment of It's ends, When II goes no.
Sond this and attempts to make Of ,tseli
IN omnibus organization, failure mecca
'arily follows.
We have hope that MIR. Dunlan ana
W. Powderly, and the men who believe
lud act with them, will be able 10 recall
'neir associates from the rashness Of
'oiiucai emprlse, aud undo what hiss
'0en done. To do this viii, Of Itself
Fease bad feeling, for II win dlscredI, !