The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-17
ALL ABOUT THE ALLIANCES BY /
SEDGWICK COUNTY FARMER.

To the Editor of the Eagle.
Driven by the gently falling rain from
the labors of the field to seek the protec-
ton of the dwelling house, | am impell-
ed by an irresistible desire to write on
| the subject of reform. 1t seems the spir-
it of reform persOnified has taken posses
sion of the tillers of the soil. and as
those who think will govern those who
toll we are determined to prove to an
unbelieving world that labor is not in
compatible with the clearest logical
thought. 1t is not general known, es-
peciallv by politicians, that there are
two branches of the Farmers Alliance
One may be designated as the northern
alliance and the other as the southern
alliance The principal object of the
St. Louis meeting last December was to
secure a union of the two alliances and
then from Maine to California, all along
the line make united demand on the
the government for the sub-treasurv or
warehouse plan. The delegates from the
northern alliance refused not only to
form a union with the southern branch,
but would not even endorse the ware
house plan. They considered it vision
ary, impractical and unjust
Many farmers in and out Of the south
ern alliance have arrived at the same
conclusion. We have had too much class
legislation already and if we could sue
coed in getting goOd-natured Uncle Sam
to build granarieS for us where in the
name of reason would this class legisla-
ton end: The shoe manufactures will
be entitled to ask for like favOrs when
the price of shoes was depressed, and the
manufacturer Of iron and steel are en-
titled to the same favor. The injustice
of the Sub-treaSurv plan Is apparent
when we consider that counties who raise
less than $50. 900 worth of wheat and corn
oats. tobacco and cotton are deprived of
its supposed benefits 1t has been calcu-
lated that less than one county in five
would be benefited by the plan because
they do not raise enough of these prod
uCtS. Would not the farmers in these
counties have lust cause to complain:
! Would they not kick against an unjust
law which Disseminated against them?
Unfortunately all movements in behalf
of the people have tendency to go to
extremes. and instead of tightening the
load of which we complain. usually not
only adds 10 our burdens but brings on
our cause the ridicule of men who We're
never known to have an opinion worth
entertaining.
One can readily imagine that the
leaders on whom devoIve the arduous
task of guiding and controlling the
masses. had the common misfortune Of
being born without brains. Grain spec
ulat0rs in st. Louis and Chicago would
4 8
ligion has never succeeded in eliminating
selfishness from the hearts and affections
of this class. wheat would advance be
yond the export price. 1t would be
God-send 10 the people OF Russia and In
did, as they would be called on To supply
the needed grain. Our wheat would he
allowed 70 remain in the sub-treasury
buildings. until. having lost our foreign
market. the collapse would come bring
ING on the farming interests. ruin. com
pIete and lnconceivable. l. II not time
To call halt and no longer waste the en-
ergies Of the honest and cOntdlng
farmer IN the pursuit OF an Oh
lect a QuIXotic a 1t Il unattaInable:
Fighting imaginary giants. transformed
by the occult science of sorcery into
wIndmliLs IN this age Of the world Viii
not command the respect OF the thinking
portion of mankind. The general pros
perity Of all Is the only basis on which
can be securely built the enduring fabric
Of national greatness.
Since the commencement Of InteTna-
tional commerce periods of depression
and prosperity have followed each other
as day has followed night The causes
which produce this state Of affairs are
various and often obscure, but the ex-
perience Of mankind II all ages has DEM
onsrrated the truth Of the proposition;
that the growing of grain for distant
and foreign market can never bring pros