The Russellville Democrat., 1886-06-02
"The Wheel Convention I

llSheu at Searcy, IS the organ or tn' State Agricultural Wheel, organized to advance tue interests of agricul |ture, and not as political party That journal has the interests of ag riculture at heart, and it's condnct ors are too intelligent not to knov that tue objects of the Wheel will b. seriously injured, if not wholly de stroyed, by permitting any set Q aspiring politicians to get control The subjoined editorial, which ap peared in the State Wheel Enterprise of May 90, and entitled "The Vince Convention" was manifestly writer to call halt upon the little dema gogues who caring nothing for thu fate of the Wheel beyond It's power to gratify their selfish ambition, ,havt determined to pervert the objects . the order by converting 1t into political machine:
 "Quite q number of subordinatt wheels have expressed themselves as being opposed to the Grand Wheel nominating state ticket, and many of the reasons for their objec' tions are good ones. The feeling among the more experienced and better posted is, that we are more vltally interested in our law makers than Of the mere executors of the law, or officers holders. Any officer who is competent will and must see that the laws are enforced. If they are not, the people are to blame, Others claim that they joined the Wheel as an agricultural organiza. tion, and it was their distinct under standing that it was to have nothing to do with politics. Others thought that 1t was nothing but politlcal machine from the beginning, and joined it to get to fill some office and have been working to that cad ever since. The majority of the wheels are composed mostly of democrats, and they claim, as wheelers. to know no party; to vote for men and princi. pie and lay aside party feelings; but what do we see in our own coun. ty nominations? An independent man, who is honest and qualified, does not give satisfaction. The bloody shirt is seen to futter in the breeze. No one but democrat will do.n From such expressions from leading Wheelers, we are con. strained to believe that the voters ol Arkansas are not yet ready for a new party. Too much discord and partyisms have arisen. They are willing to cling to the old party name yet awhile, and advocate the principles of reform and home gov ernment through that. Others arc willing and ready to launch new party upon the already surging DO lltical sea, regardless of conse- quences. Not knowing the strength of their army, for hopes Of promo ton, or elevation of themselves, rath. CT than the advancement of the in. terests of their noble privates who are plodding wearily along in the rear ranks. "Brsthren, defeat won't hurt us, is heard coming from tue lips Of an sspirant. We need produce no argument to show that . political s'defeat" now would be the death knell of this organization. Il is the mission of no man to dictate, but advisc. Members of the Agri cultural Wheel of the state Of Ar kansas, you should look first to the interest of your organization. Know ye that already there are enemies In the camp. and every member must act as sentinel. Study well this political project, and decide For your selves whether or not it is necessary for the "ameloration of the condi tion of laborers in every possible manner.' Can you attain the results you desire by not antagonizing any political party, but by voting for the man regardless of politics; or is | necessary to place in the field | third ticket, and run the risk of de feat and the downfall of our organi zatlon? We believe that the majori ty of thinking voters arc not vel ready for such action. They ars not willing to venture too far out tt sea without compass. There art just as good and competent men 1T the Wheel as out of it, and plenty out who are Wheelers by nature from principle-who will render nn to every man justice, equal laws After all, it is the man and not thu party. Do not be deluded into ths belief that man is disciple O Christ because he says he is. This is an age of deception. Look vel
 before you leap, and Tn the language of Davy Crockett, "be sure you ar' right, then go ahead" Let us dt nothing by halves; be certain of sue cess, for defeat IS bitter pill"
 The men who are pushing th' movement against which the Stat' Wheel Enterprise warns the Wheel CTS are republicans, and sore headed democrats unable to work the demo cratic party freely. The democrats
 party Of Arkansas is to day very pop ular with the peoplc--more popula than for many years. This is fac generally admitted. but 1t is un popular with republican leaders, ant