Thomas County cat., 1890-08-07

Billy Caldwell, editor of the Beloit
Courier, speaks our sentiments exactly
in the following address to the farm
ers:
Our readers must not, if they would
be fair and honorable, confound the
political phase as the Courier treats it
of the alliance with our sentiments re-
lating to that organization otherwise
If we shall criticize its political phase
we do no more than it invites by its
public political acts. If we criticize
its politics fairly and honorably we
should at least receive decent treat
ment, because we have right to speak
our sentiments-just as good right as
has any alliance man. Because we
may differ with good men in that Or
ganization, and express ourselves ac-
cording to our judgment, provided it
IS in a decent manner, we should have
credit for honesty and not receive
curses simply because there is no ar
gument to refute our criticism.
The Courier has always been
known as q friend to the farmers; and
it has advised combination of farmers
for mutual benefit and protectihn.
And when the alliance was formed
and its principles promulgated the
Courier took off its hat and bade it
God speed. It was an organization
to accomplish great good, by letting
our Legislators know just what the ag-
ricultural class wanted in the way Of
legislation. There is no doubt about
that. But it seemed to US that when
the politicians began to use it for their
personal ambltion-to root out those
who are in Office to make places for
themselves, without first giving the
incumbeat a chance, it lowered its
scale of usefulness very perceptabIy.
Had the alliance formulated peti-
ton, setting forth their grievances and
asking for relief by legislation-sug-
gesting the kind of legislation wanted
and submitted this to our senators
and congressman and had met with
rebuff or refusal on their part to en-
tertain and do what they were asked.
then we would have heartily joined
with them in doing anything to rid Us
of the unworthy servants. But when
they sailed right in to adopting reso-
lutions of censure, gotten up by inter
ested parties, we think they showed a
determination to do exactly what they
condemned. and We could not enthuse
over it.
The alliance has been a power in
effecting legislation much needed in
the west Our senators and congress
men have caught on to the drift of
public sentiment, and they are actively
on the alert in pushing things that
they have learned that the people Of
the west want. This much we are
glad to accord to the influence of the
alliance.
When we have thus conceded this in
fiuence it occurs to us that if we were
a member of the alliance it would be
our aim to make Senator Ingalls, feel
that he is in fact the candidate most
heartily supported BY that organiza-
tion, thus putting him squarely under
obligations to the order. He is not
the man to spurn such influence and
friendship; and if he should be taken
up and run in by the alliance the alli-
ance could bank on him with all his
eloquence. all of his sarcasm, all of
Of his popularity to win for them on
the floor Of the senate just recognition.
1t seems to US that this is the grand
opportunity for the alliance to make
itself felt next to the presidency of the
United States.
| Why?
Because the present administration
is republican There will never be
but two national parties republican
and dem ocratic. Suppose the next
administration should be democratic.
and the alliance should down Mr..
Ingalls, with Peffer,- is logical to
npaeOn that pofYor IN