The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-08-05
THE ALLIANCE AND POLITICS.
The Only Resource of the Alliance in
the Face of Certain Con-
~tingencfes.

GlO1O SuOOtO OO III L4OAO
to partisan depression that time has
now, most surely, arrived. The time
has come when the public welfare
must be considered of more moment
than submitting to party, and especl
ally, object consideration for perfume
tory professional politicians. AS to
any mans personal political salvation,
Notwithstanding any previous ire
proachable record, what does that
weigh in the balance in comparison
with a regard for the people ? Not
one paltry mite. Only so far as get,
ting rid Of a wantless obstacle, the
political decapitation of such, on per
sonal grounds, is Of no moment what
ever. In short, so far as party and
mere party politicians are concerned,
what's Hecuba to us or we to H3cuba
anyway, that we should yield to her
Much less, one would like to know
what on earth is there about a politi
clan who bubbles, ~equivocates and
shilly shallies when a question Of vital
moment to his constituents is pro-
pounded, and which he lodges and
evades in obed enc to party, worth
the least consideration in a personal
point of view except immediate politi-
cal decapitatioR ?
With regard to any position idea
LITIGATION or permanent cooperation
of the Alliance with either party, Ger
tainly neither can expect. We pro-
pose to have nothing to do with either
party that does not uphold our doc
trine. We intend, too, to turn our
backs upon any man in the shape of
a shutting politician who does not EN-
phatically identify himself with our
principles. How a we, with the
lights before US, 10 other wise -? What
assurance has either party given us
thai We can reply upon either 50 far
as to become absorbed in either ?
What claims have either u ION us than
a pint action upon questions vital to
the very soul of the Allan 3e, and
therefore the good of the peop'e :?
Why, at any rate, should we act
within either any more than they
should act within us ? If we start
out with a dependent attitude our
prestige and independence are gone.
Our grievances must be righted and
if n or both parties fail to give us
relief, what then? The answer is too
obvious to require statement. AS to
party supremacy, our principles and
needs are such that it weighs naught
in the balance WAen such a c)nsidera
ton reflects with them
Iudeed, with regard to politics,
we've got to assume an erparte attitude
no double-ender aft air about it
but a course has got to be pursued
that conforms to our doctrines. A
mental reservation is bound to be
held which will influence action when
called into play. Unless we go into
politics in some shape or other it's
hard to see how our ends are to be
reached. The very act of voting,
nominating candidates, etc, is taking
an active part in politics. We must
have some sort of a political slogan.
Are we to be nondescrips on the sea
of politics ? Must we be neither
styled fish, flesh, nor fowI-not even
a red herring? Lo, construe it as we
may, either in name or practice, poll
tics is bound to enter into u de
alterations.
Call 1t a new party movement,
which ignores all existing parties, if
you choose, but one thing certain,
designated as it may be by outsiders
and the scurry press, (4Oth party if
needs beg we've got to pursue, if
necessary, an independent course; a
urse IN harmony with the policy
and aims which have been a~ntagonized
by both the great political factions
which have not adopted one measure
that accords with the proposed re
forms that have sprung into existence
IN consequence of the intolerable
grievances that corrupt legislation,
with its soUlless Indifference towards |
the intolerable wrongs OF the people, |
have e~ngendered. If no other re-
source is left us, we should stand
upon an Independent agricultural plat
form, relying upon one inherent
strength and instinct of self preserva
ton to combat the opposing elements
whioh confront us, and live and die
on this line. Yes! if there is no other
alternative left US. we must be a law
unto ourselves, turning our backs
upon and caring for no faction, no
party machines, no creed that hamper
the aims we are struggling to consurI
mate. By pursuing such a course we
can, With perfect consistency, hold
ourselves free from all political com
plications. If obnoxious measures
are forced upon us it will then be for
US to consider what we will do with
our votes, and for the party so acting
to consider wha5 it will do without
them. In short, we've got, if forced
to it, to rise superior to Democracy,