The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-27
The Alliance and Politics.

The MORNING NEWS published a state
ment few days ago that several of the
county alliances had passed resolutions that
they would not, alliances, take any part
in politics. There is no doubt of the wis
dom Of resolutions Of this kind. Each men,
Der Of any alliance organization should be
free to exercise his judgment in selecting
candidates for state or national offices. IL
would be a mistake for the alliance to be-
come a political organization, because
politics would bring about irreconcilable
| differences among its members and the re-
suit would be disastrous to it.
The members ought, of course, to take a
deep interest in political affairs. and they
should strive to have the offices filled by
| honest and competent men. Good govern
ment is as important to farmers as to any
other class of people They pay a very
considerable part Of the taxes, and they
want the laws economically and homes tly
administered. If the alliance were to go
into politics, however, designing politicians
would try to use it to advance their own
political fortunes, and if they did not Sue
coed, they would at least destroy the har-
mony which at present prevails in the or
ganiZation.
1t is believed that there are now those
who hope to get into office with the help of
the alliance. If there are they have, of
course, their friends in the sub-alliances
These friends will be very active, and if
they are strong men they will make it
almost impossible for the individual mem
bers to have any freedom of action. The
few will seek to dominate the many, and if
they are successful the alliance may find
itself indorsing candidates of whom it does
not approve.
The alliance appears to be beneficial to
the farmers. Although it is not yet in as
good working order as it will be eventually,
it has nevertheless made its influence felt in
several important particulars. If it keeps
out Of politics it will steadily increase in
strength, and at no very distant day will,
without doubt, be able to dictate its terms
in many important matters.
Doubtless the question whether or not
the alliance shall take part in politics will
soon be raised, and when it is very inter
esting discussion may be expected. There
are alliance men who will insist that the
alliance shall undertake to select both state
and county officials. Their counsel should
not be headed. Such men, in most cases,
will be found to have an axe to grind.
There is no reason why members of the
alliance should not be candidates for offices,
provided they do not present themselves as
alliance candidates, nor is there any special
reason why they should be. If there are
any alliance men seeking Office. the fact
that they are members Of that organization
should not help them any. They
should be required to stand on their
own merits. The alliance could commit no
greater mistake than to insist upon passing
by strong and capable men to nominate in
ferior men simply because they belonged to
the alliance. That mistake would be made
sometimes, however, if the alliance were to
take part in politics. The safest course for
the alliance to pursue is, as an organization,
to have nothing to do with politics.