Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-09-10
THE ALLIANoE IN POLIT1CS.


Yes, the Alliance is in politics. 1t
would be very simple not to take a
hand in politics when it has voters
enough to control the election. 1t was
not organized as a political power, pri-
marty, but the very overwhelming sue
cess of the organization soon showed
the leaders of the movement that it
would be able to cope with the old par
ties in the political field, and thus force
from them those rights for which farm
ers and laborers have so long been beg
ging. 1t is not pleasant to beg, and no
man and no party will beg when he or
it has power to command.
The Alliance was instituted for the
same purpose that the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers was institut-
ed-that IS, for the good of its members,
and to protect them from wrong The
Brotherhood has not gone into politics
because it has only to deal with rail
road magnates, and all political par
ties are represented in the Brotherhood.
Who, at this late day, will say that
organization has not been beneficial To
its members and also beneficial to the
public? The probability is, that the
very persons who are now fighting the
Alliance are the ones who most bitterly
opposed any organization of laboring
men.
The Alliance was also organized for
he benefit and protection of its mem
b?rs. 1t has always been a recognized
fact that farmers worked harder and
received less pay for their labor and the
capital invested than any other men
outside of the penitentiarles. All leg
islatiOn seemed to be directed toward
robbing and expressing them, and to-
ward building up corporations, trusts
and combines. The corporation that
had money could secure legislation in
its favor. Anybody that would put up
freely for political purposes could have
a chance to be protected at the ex-
pense of the wealth producers. The OPP
preston to this latter class became al
most uncomfortable. Great emergencies
always call forth some unthought of
method of relief The farmers at first
began to talk to each other of their
grievances; then they began to combine
their trade, in order to get reduction
in price; then they began to start stores
of their own. They were unusually
successful In all these efforts. But
starting stores hurt their friends, the
retail dealers, and they never resort to
this if 1t can be avoided. They must
reach higher, and make their power
felt at headquarters. They must have
some bad laws repealed and some good
laws enacted. They cannot perfect
their plans IN week, but as their
strength develops their mode of war
fare is also made plain. They cannot
capture congress this year, but they can
capture many outlying counties, many
congressional districts, and probably
few states. Their strength has de-
veloped rapidly from the very necessity
of the case. No ordinary matter could
ever have driven the farmers to unite
as quickly and as firmly as they now
are. And when they see their strength
shall they lie idle, while every opponent
is active? 1t would be suicidal for
them to do otherwise than to capture
every post they can.
After the election this fall, when it
shall be found that the Alliance is a
strong, aggressive movement, congress
men will begin to feel that their seats
are insecure. Senators will begin to
remember that farmers are voters as
well as corn-huskers and cob-peddlers
and will perhaps consent to have some
legislation for the benefit of agriculture
and labor.
Every farmer, every laborer, every
poor man, ought to work and vote for
the Alliance ticket.