The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-30
SAYS 1T WON'T STAND.
LETTER FROM HON. J. c. c. BLACK
TO AN ALLIANOEMAN.

Sub-Treesury Bill To be Unconstitu-
tional-Remedies Inside the Demo
cratic Party.
AUGUSTA, GA, Oct. 81, 1880.
To Col. j. p Austin, Cornell, Ga.
Yours Of the 18th inst has been received.
You ask for publication my views ION the
organization Of the Farmers Alliance of
Georgia, and as lawyer, of the constitu-
tionality OF ths sub-treasury bill"
All admit that the agricultural interests
of the country have suffered, and all sym
pathize with the desire to remove or tighten
the burdens that have so long oppressed
them. This desire has prompted them to
organize into what is known as the Far
mers' Alliance, and you ask for publication
my views on that organization.
The large and respectable class who COM
pose it, deserves, and 1 believe enjoys, the
respect of all other classes. l see no objec-
ton to an organization Of farmers to
promote their Interests, just as mer-
| chants organize in their exchanges and
chambers of commerce, and lawyers in their
bar associations. On the contrary. much
good, believe, has been and much more
can be accomplished by the farmers ALI
ance. In Its efforts to bring together the
tillers of the soil; to Interchange views and
experiences, and to suggest and adopt new
| and better methods of cultivation; to en-
courage the economy that does not despise
the fragments either in materials or time
| to inculcate the Importance of using every
thing that is produced in field or garden, or
barnyard, and of buying nothing that can
be produced at home; to form clubs to buy
| in bulk on the best terms; to fight such
| oppressive combinations as the jute trust :
1 fr II rdI ND a-N
from organized brotherhood in everything
in its efforts to accomplish these results
| the alliance has done good
have no doubt that good las been ac-
| complished that could not have been at
tanned without organization. By their or
gained effort the farmers have not only
| helped themselves but promoted the well
fare of all other classes, aud for this should
| he most cordially commended. While there
| is much in the farmers alliance which l
heartily approve, / would be uncandid and
| unworthy of the confidence implied in your
request for my views, If l did not say
| frankly that in my opinion there are dan
gers in your organization against which
| they should carefully guard. l believe our
Georgia farmers are good men and good
ciuizens. do not suspect them of designs
against the public good OF the integrity of
the Democratic party, upon the mainte-
nance OF which everything with us depends.
And yet there are tendencies which, if not
checked, may lead to disaster.
As understand, yours was not intended
| as political organization, and now dis
claims, and no doubt honestly, that you are
| or intend TO be, but what are the facts 2
You have an organization--national, state
and county, and even in the subdivisions
| of the county. You have your leaders,
your organs, your assemblies; you make
| and promulgate platforms, you nominate
| and eject officers, you instruct them what
| they must and what they must not do. you
| apply particular standards and tests, YOU
insist that candidates for the legislative and
executive departments of the State govern
ment, and both houses of congress, must
| submit to be measured by your yard
stick" What else is necessary to constitute
| a party Much of what you do is In secret.
| apart from may of your fellow citizens
and neighbors and friends in other pursuits.
and even from farmers who do not belong
to your order
In the National Economist of Oct. IS.
which is the official organ of the Matt nal
| Alliance, there is an editorial review of the
financial legislation of the government for
some years, and concluding as follows:
There are many other bills that might
be added to this list that would disclose as
little care for the interests of the people as
these already mentioned"
Ubiquitous laws as general rule. Doubt
less, If the real facts were known, they
| would show collision between the leaders
of both parties.
Here is clear, bold accusation against
the Democratic party, that it is as guilty of
the bad legislation complained of as the Re-
publican party. In the same paper there
are other expressions which suggest the
danger would warn against, such as "The
Reform Press" "Old PARTIES" Being Held
in Party Lines" THE Independent Move
ment" etc. In the Atlanta Constitution of
Oct. IA, two interviews are reported with
the Hon. l.. l.. Polk, president of the
national alliance, in one of which he says
The order is feurishing and in good con-
dltlon. In my state they are trying very.
hard to remain in the Democratic party.
but it looks as if they will not be permitted
| to do So" Here is a statement from the
highest official in the order, that In North
Carolina the prospect is that the Demo
cratic party and the alliance will separate.
1t is true that he puts the responsibility on
the party, but that does not change the
fact that there may be division.
In the other interview Mr.. Polk saws.
speaking of his visit to Kansas: There are
now three parties there-the Republican.
| the Democratic and the Peoples ticket or
Independent party, the latter the result Of
| the alliance movement. This is the first
election In which the Peoples ticket ever
figured, but they are confident of sweeping
the state" It true he says: "Our mission has
nothing to do with local or state politics: ~
1--WE are going to preach the Alliance gospel
and nothing more" but in the same breath be
| announces third party, outside and indie
pendent of the Democratic party. and the
result of the Alliance movement; and with
the DELEGATES appointed by the Georgia
State Alliance he goes TO bear fraternal
greetings to the Kansas Alliance.
Does not the character of your orgauiza-
ton and its methods tend to excite nntag-
onisms in the party that may lead to
divisions and disruptionsa Undoubtedly
you have the same right to organize as any
other class, but what right has any class
apart by itself in secret, with its own dis
tinctive and exclusive ritu Is and rules and
obligations, to organize for party or polit-
cal purposesl 1t is in vain to say that Won
have not organized for party or political
purposes. when you demand that candidates
for off 'e shall answer to your satisfaction
questions propounded by you, and sttnd
upon platform not made by the party.
but by your organization. 1t is no answer
| to say that in the nomination for offices YOU
have met in county, and district, and state
conve tions, called by the proper authority.
and held under party rules. The rings aud
cllques, of whose control you complain and
doubtless with justice in many instances