The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-14
THE ALLIANCE AND THE DOLLAR
III Farmers Can Borrow Government
Money so Can Others.

New York Sun.
President Polk of the Farmers Alliance. thus
announces the issue by which that body will
live OF die:
20 get what money they need upon the security
OF their real property. privilege which Is de-
nied them today. The issue from now on + TO
De square one between American manhood on
one side and the great American dollar on the
other"
President Folks rhetoric is q little cloudy.
The issue IS not between American manhood
and the great American dollar, but between the
great American Farmers Alliance and the rest
of the American people The Iaborer may be
ization is called the Farmers ALI
ance and Industrial Union, and
its managers are willing to attract
labor associations 10 the support of its pro-
grarnme, but as long as the Alliance remains
essentially an agricultural body, agricultural
laborers at least win not get much bcne6t from
it. An increase in the wages of agricultural labor
ers Is not one OF the magic prosperity restorers
which the Alliance demands from the con
gress- Between the farmers and the strong
and successful labor organizations there Is
no special bond of common interest, and
the help of Powderiy's decayed order
Is not likely TO be OF much use 10 the Alliance.
Whatever political unions It may form, the Al
lance Is at present body Of farmers who want
need upon the security of their real property"
Now, the Alliance farmers cannot expect TO
enjoy the privilege OF borrowing money from
the United states at nominal rate OF interest,
and giving their farms as security, unless they
give persons in other occupations some
equal privilege. II would be a great
scheme for the Alliance mortgage to
get a pot OF money at / per cent. from the gov
eminent and lend it at 9 or 10 TO persons stand
ing in need Of financial assistance, and unable
to obtain it easily and cheaply on accoun. Of not
being farmers. The farmers are worthy and
thrifty people, but they cannot be allowed TO be-
come privileged class. sort OF landed
aristoeraey, borrowing money cheap and lending
it dear. They do not absolutely own the earth,
although they cultivate it. There are several
millions OF persons in these United states who
are not farmers, and yet are as ready as the
horniest-nsnded 70 borrow money from the gov
eminent. They know a pudding when they see
IL, and they win insist ON being helped 70 some
OF ii.
If Brother Hawbuck is TO get from the govern
ncnt what money he needs, Brothers Butcher,
Baker and CandIestickmaker must get what
money they want from the same benevolent
banker on the same terms. They can
give them stock, the good viii of their
business, their own skin and industry
and shrewdness as security. A laborer with his
hands can pledge them as security for govern
ment loan. We can't all have farms, but II the
government is going 20 run pavnshop il must
take everything offered as pledge for its ad-
vances. American manhood as Mr.. Polk says,
must be regarded sufficient as security
as quarter section. The whole American peo-
pie must come in on equal terms. Does Mr..
Polk think that the rest OF the American people
are going 70 be content with putting their hands
into their pockets for the benefit OF the ALI
ance, and never taking anything for themselves?
The way to the naturalization OF the land can
be found in this scheme TO lend money to farm
ers. The way TO national bankruptcy can be
found in its fneEitable corollaries. But what
does the Alliance care If it can get the dollars?