Thomas County cat., 1890-06-12
WHAT SHALL 1T BE?
Editor Leader:

The question. ''Shall we as members OF the
Farmers Alliance, organize new political
party!" is being so much agitated IN Chase
county as well as elsewhere that cannot re-
frain from expressing my opinion In regard
to it; and as it is impossible Tor me 10 reach
any considerable number through the meet.
ings of the Alliance, if you will kindly grant
me space, shall adopt the plan which prom
ises to reach the greatest number by speak
ing through the columns OF the Leaoer.
That the Agricultural ana other productive
industries of our country are IN depIesse95
condition is a fact so well estabnshed al..
generally admitted that it needs no comment
from me. That relief must come largely
through the powers and functions OF the gov
ernment is also so generally accepted, espe,
cially by the members of the Alliance, that
we virtually stand as a unit. The all-lmport-
ant question on which we differ Is, W mere
and how shall the remedy be applled: In
determining this important question. we
should have thorough knowledge OF the
evils which beset us. When doctor under,
takes to cure patient, the first thing that
he does is to make thorough diagnosis OF
the ailment. Having carefully determined
the nature, seat, and cause of the disease, ne
can then apply his curatives with some nope
of success. Would it not be wise for US TO
pursue the same plan in politics! The great
Body Polite of this country has been SICK
for years and is still sickening. The case Is
an extremely bad one, for signs of mortlhca-
tion are already setting in. After futile
trial by both of the "Grand Old Parties, the
Farmers Alliance proposes to step IN as the
doctor to effect cure. What method shall
we adopt? Shall we go about it quack FASH
ion? Shall we take the advice of the Quack
politicians and resort to their universal elixir
for the cure of all political ailments-the or
ganiZation of new party? Or shall we go
about it nationally and make a diagnosis OF
the ailments of our government that we may
be able to apply our cordials so intelligently
that the pnblic shall have reason to hope for
a cure!
Some of the main faults, as far as the gov
ernment Is concerned, from which arse
most of the evils that affiict us, conceive to
he as follows:
First, Disproportlonate representation in
the government, especially in the legislative
branch, of the various industries of our ma
ton.
Second, Glass legislation:
Third. Excessive party spirit;
Fourth. Dishonest legislation:
Fifth, Hasty and ill-considered legislation;
Sixth, Incompetent officials, and
Seventh The barter of votes by legislators.
A full discussion of any one of these would
take up several columns in a newspaper, and
would require more information than can
command, and more intelligence than pos
sess. All that l shall attempt is to try to
direct the thoughts of the reader into what l
believe to be the proper channel, leaving each
one to develope the subject for himself.
Each item may be considered in three diff
ferent lights: first, in its relation to the now
existing state of things: second, how would
it be affected by the organization of the pro-
posed new party should it become dominant;
and third. its best remedy.
The first fault mentioned is, perhaps, not
so much an evil in itself as that it is the great
-<c, l<.A &c
and small.
The best interest of country demands that
every industry, business, or occupation that
progressive civilization has given birth to, be
in vigorous, constant, aud harmonious opera
ton. These are the vital organs of the state.
By their activity We measure the vital force
of a nation. If the action of any one be sup
pressed, the others, also, will be affected by
it and lose vigor. To protect or stimulate all
alike, is the imperative duty of any govern
ment as far as it has any right to exercise au-
thority over their operations: and every fair
minded advocate of a representative govern
ment must acknowledge that that ,UiU not
and can not be unless oil are represented,
and that, too, in the exact proportion of its
importance as factor in the industrial life
of the nation. Do the new partyists aim to
accomplish that? No. Nothing seems farther
from their minds. / have talked with good
many of them, but have yet the first one TO
hear advocate reform on that principle. If
the advocates of a new party hope to accom-
plish anything, it is, as an Alliance, to get
control OF the government, and then, As only
farmers and a few others are eligible to
membership. the government would virtually
he in the exclusive control of the representa-
tives of one kind of occupation Just think
of it, A farmer for president: all farmers for
his cabinet: all farmers on the supreme bench
and all other benches: all farmers for for
aiCr pnIn all tn no b,,p
dredS of different offices at home; all farmers
to general the army; all farmers to man the
navy: all farmers to legislate in the interests
of every industry: farmers to stimulate COM
merce on sea and on land: farmers to regu-
late the finances; farmers to build up our
mining inuustry; farmers to promote manu-
featuring; all farmers to look after and faster
every industry, the farmers to have sole
power in the government, to be the lords of
all. and to make the representatives of every
dother occupation to bow at theirlordly shrine!
May GOD deliver US from such government.
In the old parties the principle of justice is
at least maintained, and representation of all
industries possible. In the proposed new
party. all possibility of representa- ton would
ne precluded by the strong bars of secret
brotherhood. No. we don't want such a rule.
Patriotism scorns the thought of it. Justice,
Honor. Liberty, writhe at the very mention
of it. The bleached bones of the patriot
fathers, whose almost infinite wisdom and
rrnbounded love of truth. justice, and liberty
conceived and established form of govern
ment granting to all equal rights and privi-
ieges. would proclaim Il curse upon such an
infringement of the sacred principles of our
government, and the spirits of the departed
heroes whose blood was the price of our
national heritage, would voice, from their
spirit home, their Indignation into our con-
I science. were we to appropriate to our own
selfish desires what Is the common heritage
of ALL If, when the political parties are di-
vided merely on the basis of principles set
forth in their respective platforms, corrup-
ton creeps into politics, and determinations
are tolerated, and class legislation is possible,
how would it be if we were to stand divided
on the basis of classes. or occupation? Would
not some one industry swallow up all the
others: and yet. like the kline in Pharaoh S
dream, be lean? Would it not become anoth-
er Jacobin rule? To suppress such elements
has ever been the chief task of advancing
civilization, and to overthrow such rule the
,rowning glory of any nation.
From the same point of view, I should like
20 comment on each of the other topi cs
enumerated but space for bids it this time
will say this much, however, that if the rea d
er will only take for himself fair. candid,
ard impartial view of them in their relation
70 the proposed new party, that he will not