The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-27
The Farmers.

ontntion OF the state OF union as IL nov
exists among the farmers They appear u
be organized primarily in various very eK
tensive trade unions, but In fact as a 20
utlcal party which Is ready for business ir
at least twenty-five States West Virginia
Is we believe, the only Southern State In
which the Alliance has not complete or
ganizaton. and it Is expected that the West
Virginia farmers will be In line next month
Michigan, Washington, Oregon, and Califor'
MIA are the only remaining Western States
In which the Alliance party is not yet for.
mally organized as q political machine
New England and the Middle States have
been somewhat neglected by the Alliance as
vet but doubtless their time will come. In
the West and the South the Alliance is either
nominating It's own candidates on its own
ticket or controlling Democratic and Repub.
Loan conventions and making them nomi-
nate Alliance men. The Alliance is the
Democratic party Of Georgia. 1t ran the
recent Democratic Convention OF Tonnes
see, and named the candidate for Governor.
Il is Capturing Congressman or forcing
them TO withdraw from the contest for re-
nomination. Various other societies OF farm
ers and laborers affiliate with it. The
caucuses for the Democratic nomination In
South Carolina may be described as contin-
uous riot In which the farmers are fighting
Tor the control Of the Democratic party In
that State. Tho original impulse to the
farmers movement in South Carolina was
not given by the Alliance, but has gained
greatly in force and volume on account OF
the progress Of the Alliance. Take out a
certain amount Of heat and violence, and
What Is going on in South Carolina is going
on in Kansas and Nebraska. The farmers
have formed a party, and seek to gain
possession Of the State Governments and
Legislatures and enact laws for the benefit
OF the farming interest
In the South the great gun Of the Alliance
Is the Agricultural Sub-Treasury scheme.
This is O proposition that the Government
shall build warehouses and advance money
to the farmers on the corn. cotton, oats, to-
hacco, and wheat deposited therein. The
great Northern Alliance scheme seems to be
that the Government shall lend money to
the farmers at a nominal interest. Demands
Tor stay laws, for the scaling Of mortgages
fpr the abolition Of foreclosure. for the
assumption OF farm mortgages by tho Gov
eminent, for the issue Of fat money, for
Government control or ownership Of rail-
roads and telsgIaphs and so on, are heard.
In view Of the appearance OF the Farmers
Alliance as q partisan movement, with a
financial and political platform, its original
platform Is worth recalling. 1t was founded
In o Texas county some fourteen years ago.
This county Alliance developed into the
State Alliance, whose principles were these:
Profoundly impressed that We. the FArmsrS Al.
Hnnce united by the and faithful ties OF financial
and homo should forth our declaration OF
Intentions we therefore resolve:
~ 70 labor for the education OF the agricultural
classes In the science OF economical government In
strictly non partisan spirit.
- To endorse the motto In things essential unity,
and IN all thinRA charity
~ To develop better state mentally. morally, so
cally and financially.
a To create better understanding for sustaining
civil ofncsrs In maintaining law and order
IS To constantly strive entire harmony and
good will among all mankind ana brotheriy love among
ourselves.
rs. To suppress personal. local sectional and na.
touA prof udiees all unhealthy rivalry ana all selfish
Apbitipn.
AZ The briEhsHtj0ves which Rarn-rB the toarB
of widows and orphans and itS imperative commands !
visit the homes whore laeeraed hearts bleed
dead for wtdoWS and educate the orphans; to
exercise charity toward Offenders to eonstrue words
and deeds In theLnoS favorable light granting hon.
of purpose and good intentions TO others and to
protect the principles Of the Alliance unto death It's
laws AAd equity Its cardinal doctrines
SpirO purity of thouGht and IfS its Intentions are
peace on earth and good will toward mon"
Whatever were the Wishes OF it's founders,
its development nom an educational, chri.
table, and ethical society into q political
party was inevitable. 1t passed quickly
from the region Of vague philanthropy into
that Of practical politics. The farmers have
become seized with a sudden notion to
work the peculiar power of trade union
for their own benefit. Whether they will be
able toimprove the condition OF farmers or
not, the Alliance members will have the sat-
tStaction OF having caused almost a panic
In the Democratic party Of the South and
the Republican party Of the West.