Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-10-06
The Farmers Alliance.
HICKORY GROVE, Oct.

HICKORY GROVE, Oct l.
To the editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
a communication in the last issue OF the
Manassas Gazette from a Fauquier CORE
spondent, contains number of queries to
which answers are suggested In order
to confirm certain theories. The Inference
ia that the writer is q member OF the Farm
ers Alliance" and believes that orgaDiz,-
ton only possessed of the wisdom and ga
escity sufficient to furnish remedy for the
ill., political and otherwise, that lllct the
interests of the people. The evil is patent
but it certainly can do no good towards lite
alienation to scold every body vino is not
farmer. Notwithstanding the writer's
almost pathetic irqliry of who to
cuss?" He flies u sweeping indict-
ment against our members OF the Federal
Congress, whom be charges with ignorance,
carelessness, ard general incompetency.
II be will carsfully inform himself "a TO the.
history of national legislation for the laet
twenty five years he will reach different
conclusion. Oar representatives have not
neglected their duty or otherwise betrayed
the trust con6ded to them. La the dt-
bates lpou the various Issues that have
arisen, and by their votes, they have faith
fully endeavored to guard ADD msintain
the rights and Interests of their consIi-
lusnts II they have failed in most instances
to successfully do 30. the responsibility does
not rest upon them. Ia what form should
the Notice" OF the effect of the contraction
of the currency have been conveyed to the
people? The deb6tes upon the sur Ject were
published in the usual mode, and any one
interested In the matter could have been
fully In ormed Of the facts, and arprised OF
the inevitable consequences. In regard to
farmers neglecting their duties SO citizens,
and allowing few politicians" to dictate
nominations to public Office, who is to
blame for that? One mans vote ia as good
as another's, and 1.-THE farmer will not take
the trouble TO attend the primaries, and
otherwise use tho necessary means in SUP
port Of his favorite candidate, it ia ike
pleading the baby act 10 complain ABOUT
it after the nominations are maoe.
Now, as to he various remedies your cor
respondent refers TO as suggested TO relieve
the present condition of affairs. 1t Is well
first 70 max enquiry in regard TO ths true
cause of the ex stence Of what be infereoti-
ally ccmp;aps. We democrats believe, and
we have the facts TO justify our belief. that
the Whole responsibility for the present
and prospective bad state Of tH!ir5
rests upon that most neisrious and
INSCRIPTIONS organization known as
the republican party. Every hour Of the
last twenty five years the national COVERT
ment of the Un!ted States has been domi'
mated and controlled By the measures and
policy ofthat party ,and all that could % done
by their opponents WAS to protest against
the wicked and ruinous NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Those protests have had the eHect OF refard
ing the fual crash, buf whether our Efforts
will be eventually successful In stemEirg
the tide that i5 sweepi0g our interests and
institutions to destruction, is doubtfCi
question which time only can solve. The
hardships of that correspondent are douoi-
less great. but they are ONLY symptoms OF
the general disease, TO which radical RENE
dies must be applied if cure Is to be effect
ed. No use to lop the branches, While the
sturdy trunk Ia extending its roots on every
side. There is no royal road to the good
times MIR. Turner sigh5 for. The pro-
posed class legislation of the Farmers
Alliance, their sub.reasure5, government
ownership ofrsilEoads end seegraphs &o.Wlii
not answer; 1t wouid only ncreaee the evil.
When man is sick and employs competent aud
trustworthy physician, after CAREFUL diagnosis,
he will prescribe remedies that are aimed at tho
roo. of the diease, and il the cure is effected it
will bs thorough, if gradual II the see man
employs qusck he will profess to DO able to cure
him with dose or two, or at least throw the pa
tient into fits and tho q1ack is death on tits
her CO it has been announced from high quarters
that the Farmers Alliance WIS bound TO rule,
even If that rule leads to ruin. The only possible
hope for the far Nor, for people of all other vo
cations, ia TO destroy the foul octopus that IS
draining the life bio from our whole body poll
tic Ali side Issues can only serve to distrsc! the
public attention from the real question and de-
tact from the energies of the effort at disenthral
ment thereby giving aid and comfort to the com
mon enemy. This view will doubtless meet the
sneers Of these who al ready to strike hsnds with
any "psrty" who will promise to aid them in their
selfish plans for msking or swing money-with
come people tho saving grace of all the cardinal
virtues or s1ch as profes, to be democrats, ~ the
lest of tho two evils. Such men will probab Y
live TO realize the fact that there are evils far
worse than poverty, and will surely hno out ny
the test of time and experience that the empire
schemes in which they pat their trust have proved
bat deusion and snare. 4.