The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-11-20


iztic to tho Republican BIachinss
WASIlINGTON, Nov. I2.-No feature
OF the late election has caused more
genuine surprise and CONSERVATION in
the Republican ranks than the results
achieved by tn" new element in the
politics OF the country the Farmers
Alliance.
The advent of this new party was
hailed with delight by the Republican
leaders. They knew its strength would
be mainly confined to the South and
mississippi States. Confident of
their enormous ma OriticS In such
States as Kansas. Nebraska and Min
ncsota, they thought the Alliance could
not work them serious harm, and they
viewed the movement as one well cal
culated to break up the existing poll
tical lines In the South. At last, they
exclaimed with one voice, q political
force has been found which will destroy
the Democratic Solidity OF the south
and which Will split the bourbon
cohorts In twain. How sadly they de-
CclNed themselves tho results of the
recent elections fully demonstrate.
While in the Southern States the AL
lance men, almost to man Democrats,
went in to control Democratic prima-
rleS and conventions, their brethren Of
the West, largely Republicans, held
aloof from tho Old party, and decided to
make their own nominations and 20 it
alone. The reason for this difference
III the policy of the organization in the
two sections was doubtless due to the
TACT that while in the South the Demo-
cratic party was already committed to
many of the principles advocated by
the Alliance, the Republican party in
the West and elsewhere was committed
to no single one of them. The Alliance
in the South was satisfied il the main
with Democratic policy, and only
aSplred to control that party so az to
shape It's legislation in certain drec-
tions, but in the West the Alliance was
heartily diSgusted with Republican
policy, and 1t realized that the record
OF the party in Congress left no hope of
securing any OF the desired reforms at
its hands.
In Alabama the Alliance nearly sue
cecded in nominating the Democratic
candidate for Governor. In Georgia,
South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas it
did succeed in controlling the Demo-
cratic State Conventions and in placing
its men at the head OF the tickets, and
they have been elected. In some fifteen
Congressional districts in the same
States Alliance Democrats secured the
nomination over "regularS," and in
many others, where they failed, the
Democratic nominees, since elected are
pledged to the Alliance platform, with
the single exception OF the Sub-rrcaSury
scheme. In at least two States, Georgia
and SOu'h Carolina, it is believed the
Alliance will control the selection of the
United States Senator. The Alliance
in the South has not injured the Demo-
cratic party; 1t has merely dominated
It's nominations in certain localities.
How different the result in the West!
In four States hitherto regarded as
veritable Gibraltars of Republicanism
the Alliance has fairly overwhelmed
the Republican ticket. In Kansas Il
Republican majority of 80 NO has either
entirely or practically disappeared.
Five out OF seven districts return Al
lance Congressman, and the Lrgisla-
ture chosen will retire Ingalls,
In Nebraska the Alliance has almost
elected the Governor. and at any rate
has cOmpaSsrd the defeat OF the Rrpub-
lican nominee by letting in the Demo
cratic candidate. Two Alliance men
and one Democrat are elected to Con-
gress. The Republican party has been,
for the time at least. oblitcratcd.
In Minnesota, while the Republicans
apparently elect their Governor 10y an
apology OLA plurality. they have vir-
tually suffered defeat, for as against the
two opposition parties they are in a
hopeless minority, and they have lost
the five Congressman and the Lcgisla.
turc.
South Dakota the Alliance contested
with the Republicans on equal terms.
In Michigan and Illinois the Alliance
did not put a ticket for State officers in
a iI.,f fiN h,.,
elected Legislative candidates and gen
orally contributed to Republican defeat.
1t may hold the balance of power In the
Illinois Legislature and control the
election of Il successor to Senator Far
we'll
Such is the outcome of the Alliance
movement In the campaign of 1890
| The deductions thcrcfrOm are pertinent.
has shown itself to be Il power in
American politics, and III future cleo
tiOnS it is likely to be Il very important
factor. No political movement has
ever shown such an aZing vitality in
such short space of time.
} AS 1t looks now, the Democratic party
seems likely to be the immediate bcnr-
liciary of the Farmer Alliance "idra."
The returns from the West show con-
} clusively that united the Democracy
and the Alliance can carry nearly every
large Western State. and even when
running separate tickets tho Alliance
draws 80 heavily from the Republicans
that it jeOpardiZeS the success Of that
party in all the great agricultural States
Of the Mississippi Valley. There is no
question that the Alliance holds the
balance Of power to-day in illinois,
Iowa, Michigan. Minnesota, Kansas,
Nebraska, and probably IN the two Da-
kOtas.
Whichever party secures its support
IS sure to win in 1892. Without its
support or with its hostility the Rcpub-
mcan party IS in hopeless minority
Ihe States 1t promises to control have
always, been considered Republican
strongholds, and they have been added
up In the Republican column as GER
tainly as Georgia, Alabama and MissIs-
slppl are put in the Democratic column.
| WIN some OF these States voting for a
| democratic candidate, or even casting
Inelr electoral vote for an Alliance can
| Uluate for President Now NDrk rnIunu