The midland journal., 1889-12-20
The New Revolution.

This is he name which some of th
papers are already applying to the union q
the Farmers A llance and the knights of
Labor which was effected at their meeting
two weeks ago in St. Louis. Grand Master
Workman Powderly and A. NJ. Wright
were the delegates appointed by the
knights of Labor 10 meet the Alliance at
st. Louis aud perfect the union Of the two
Associations. The terms agreed upon are
not strictly union but an alliance Of the
two whose joint, or cooperative moyemenl
shall be for the purpose Of effecting reforms
In the government tending to promote the
interest CT the producing and laboring class.
The New York Heraid's correspondent dis
patched from St. Lonis while the convention
was in session:
"Powderly, Wright and Beaumont visited
the Northern Alliance Farmers at the Plan
ter's House, and made speeches that brought
forth all the pent up enthusiasm of that
sturdy band. This was the opening act, and
the scene changed afterward to the exposi-
tion building where the more august Con.
vention Of the Farmers and Laborers'
Union Of America, 100000 strong in its
representation of voters, was in session.
Mr.. Powderly upon being introduced by
the chairman was warmly received, the
members Of the Convention cheering for
some moments. When quiet had been re-
stored Mr.. Powderly made an address that
was enthusiastically received.
Mr. Powderly argued for secret ballot
and said that il was immaterial what the
article was, whethrc it bore themark of
Australia or that of America. He wanted
something 10 secure the purity of the ballot,
not at the direction of his employer, but as
his conscience dictated"
The strong probability is that this grea,
movement will culminate in new political
party. In the formation of new party old
afilitions would be cut loose and farmers and
mechanics would take an active interest in
the success of an organization which they
would be proud to call their own. With
| more than two million farmers and the
large, active and we'll disciplined members
in the ranks of the knights through all the
industrial centres of the country, it is
thought that a political party could be
formed that would soon become invincible
in the great work of fighting monopoly,
regulating railroad traffic on the basis of
fair play for all and revising the inequal-
tiles of the present system.
Both the above organizations embrace, in
their declaration CT principles, the chief
features of the Prohibition Party, that party
with its political machinery would naturally
gravitate to the greater body embracing its
fundamental principles, and help to develop
the new party as the anti.slavery parties
were incorporated in the Republican Party.
A correspondent after. interviewing prom
inent leaders in the Lackanna Valley on
the new Alliance, writes:
'Should such party under wise conser-
vative leadership send forth its mani festo
Tomorrow on the authority of the Farmers,
the knights of Labor and the business men
who are opposed to monopoly, it would re-
ceive great welcome among the masses,
who are weary of the stale and delusiye
pIatitudes of the organizations that are now
run mainly in the interest Of the spoils Of
office. These are the views of large num-
Der Of thoughtful workingmen whom l in
terviewed on the subject this evening, who
are watching the proceedings Of the Farm
ers' Alliance at ST. Louis with deep in
terest."
Every careful student of the times has
long since reached the conclusion that the
two old parties have desenerated into op-
posing factions of scramblers for offices, ne
glecting the primary interests of the nation.
Congress after Congress has been little else
than a drunked brawl. Even the tipsy
members Of both House end Senate are
often ashamed Of their more intoxicated col.
leagues who apply sneh epithets as "liar,"
puppy" and "scoundrel' to each other.