St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-11
THE THIRD PARTY.

The politicians OF South Dakota are
reported to be in fearful state of agi-
tation over the independent break made
by the Farmers alliance when that
organization determined by practically
unanimous vote to put third ticket IN
the field. The politicians are disturbed
because they have no means by which
they can estimate the strength of the
third party movement, nor have they
any data by which to determine which
of the two old parties will suffer the
most serious loss. There is popular
opinion that the Republicans will be the
greatest losers, and on that account the
Republican leaders are the most seri-
ously disturbed.
1t is an open secret that such move
ment as has been inaugurated in South
Dakota is being contemplated in Min
nesota. 1t is known that negotiations
are now pending between the Farmer
alliance and the labor organizations
looking to a similar Independent break
in this state, with strong probability
that the movement will be started.
Hence we have a more decided interest
in watching the growth of the South
Dakota movement.
Usually third party schemes result
disastrously to their originatorS. This
is the rule, but there have been notable
exceptions. The Republican party
itself began as third party movement.
and it attained its growth and final SUI
premacy because there was no other
method by which its underlying princi-
pie of opposition to slavery could be
brought into active play. If at any
time the Wing party or the old Demo
cratic party had planted itself on free
soil ground the Republican party would
have died a-bornin'.
Parties must arise in demand to some
great public necessity, and unless the
necessity exists there can be no up
building of the party. There are no is
sues of national Importance demanding
the creation of new party. The tariff
question is the only one upon which
there is serious division; and there is no
intermediate ground between the Re-
publicans and the Democrats for new
party to stand on so far as the tariff issue
is concerned. Hence we take it that
the third party movement in South Da-
kota must originate from local causes.
Otherwise the politicians would not be
so much disturbed over it.
Republican administration has been
unsatisfactory to the farmers and work
ing classes in South Dakota. Promises
have been held to the ear only to be
broken to the hope, just as has been
done here in Minnesota. With fair
promises Of doing great many things
that were never intended to be fulfilled,
the Republican leaders in South Dakota
have sought to keep the farmers in line
in support of the Republican party, just
as the Republican leaders have been
deluding the Minnesota farmers. 1t
was DreSuming great deal upon the
ignorance and subserviency of the agri-
cultural classes to suppose that this Chi
canery could always be successful, yet
the Republican leaders have been
guilty Of the presumption.
While there are great many things
in the platform of this new party in
South Dakota that are grotesque and
ridiculous, and which cannot be in
dorsed by thoughtful people, still it is a
source of qualification to know that the
South Dakota farmers have sufficient in
dependence to cut loose from the political
bosses who have been riding them to
death. Such an exhibition of independ-
ence wins admiration without regard to
whether the platform is good or bad.
Whether the third party movement sue
ceeds or not, it is to the everlasting
credit of the South Dakota farmers that
they refuse any longer to be harnessed
and driven by the constituencies ring
sters who are accustomed to manipulate
Dakota politics.