The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-02-18
CALM YOUR A

OUR greatly respected eontem,
" porary, the Central BrpreSS, in.
its issue of the 9Th inst, has an. edi-
torial on the now interesting and pop
ular theme-"the Farmers Alliance
and politics" The article is conceived
in admirable spirit and is marked, as
is usual with That paper, by a degree
of candor and frankness that is com
mendable. 1t entertains no fears as
to tne effect on the general welfare of
the organization engaging in politics,
and says it infers from IN article in
The PROGRESSIVE FARMER on the new
revolution, that "the Farmers ALI
ance is going into politics this fall"
Surely our good friend did not read
the article entire, for ther9 was moth
ing in a fair and legitimate construc-
ton Of the meaning of that article to
justify any such inference or assertion.
True, it has been asserted TINA and
again by designing men and for selfish.
proposes, that the Alliance was going
into politics as a separate organization
that its purpose is to build up a
third party, etc.
We assert now, as we have had.
occasion to say before, that we know of
nothing that has ever appeared in the
columns of this paper-nothing in
the declaration of pur poses--nothing
in our demands as an order-nothing.
that mas been said by any one author
ICED to speak for the Alliance-noth.
ing in its action or course that sus-
tafps ever the semblance of such a
Ridiculous charge.
The difficulty with these nervous
gentlemen is, that they seem unable
TO distinguish between politics and
partis4nIsna. The greatest evils which
af1ict(th farmers of this country to-:
day nave come about through corrupt
political methods. The farmers are
beginning to realize it. To be a good
and intelligent citizen the farmer
should study and inform himself as to
the great political and economic ques-
tions which so:vitaly aaict his interI
ests, If in the investigation he finds
that he is being oppressed through in.
competent or unfruitful oficials--that
legislation or the administration of
law is working to his detriment-
whether these wrongs are being per-
petrated within his own or an opposing
political party, he is in duty bound to
correct these evils if it be possible. In
his efforts to- do SO, he should be
guided by that manly individuality
and independence which is born of
the highest and most unselfsh patriot
ism None know better than the ALI
ancemen that their efforts for reform
could in no way be so surely NEUTRAL
lied as by converting the organiza-
ton into a political party. In no
manner does the Alliance or its obi.
cations interfere with a mans religion
or political freedom. He is left to his
own free will and may belong to any
church or sect which acknowledges
the existence Of a Supreme Being, and
to any political party which is not
subversive of cur free government.
But these unjust charges have been
made and will continue to be made in
order to intimidate the people by de-
signing and selfish men. They are
made to divert the minds of the PEG.
pie from the vital point, the evils
under which we suffer and their cause.
And we entirely and heartily agree
with the Cypress when it says:
1.-THE ErpesS has never feared but
one thing in the matter, that is that
the Alliance iii the pursuit of its hon
est intentions may mistake traitors for
friends"
That is It's greatest danger and the
one. above all others, that should be
most carefully avoided. One enemy
within its doors is more dangerous
than a score outside, and especially is