Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-19
SATURDAY. JULY 10. 1890
The Farmers in This Campaign.


sThe Farmers Alliances have become
power in this land. In Virginia they are
great and growing and in their purpose to
restore agriculture TO the position from
which il has been deposed by oppressive
laws and unjust determinations they
ought TO have the hearty support and en-
couragement of good people III all the
walks of life.
The country population of Virginia have
had hard road to travel since Appoinat-
toxDav. when, released from military duty,
they returned 10 their homes, in many III
stances to find their dwellings and barns,
fences. and timber destroyed, and their
labor disorganized OF vanished alto
rether. Since then they have had TO con-
tend against untruitful seasons. low prices
for their produce. active western compe-
sition. and monopolies and trusts. We IN
the cities Of the Old Dominion have had
hard times to fight, too. but the odds
against Us were not as heavy as those
against which our country cousins con-
tended. We can say for the people OF
rural Virginia that they have struggled he
roically. and we hope better day Is dawn
ing for them.
1t is no wonder that they have resorted
TO organization TO achieve what individual
efforts have fruitlessly essayed. and 1t is
not strange that they are demanding
greater recognition IN the councils of the
State and nation. There is much good
they can effect if they will, as we expect.
adhere to a firm. conservative course and
refuse to be beguiled by those who appear
among them with personal grievances to
exploit and ambitious ends to serve. Pro-
badly 1t will not be in their power this
year to put to popular test very many of
the measures i'm which they are deeply in
terested, but their opportunity will come
in good season.
In the approaching election it is evident
we are going to have forced upon US an
issue Of political life and death. If wewin
our internal affairs can hereafter receive all
the attention they need. IL we lose Vir-
ginia will be at the mercy of our bitterest
foes.
SO cruel, unjust, and sectional are the
tariff and election bills that are now pend
ing in Congress many northern Republi-
cans have felt constrained to cry out
"shame." In one of these propositions
there is a plan to shackle our industries
in the other scheme to bind us forever to
the wheel Of the Radical Republican car.
Doubtless we shall have to make des-
perate fight for our freedom, and there is
but one way to win--that is by perfect har-
mony in our ranks and a resolute purpose
on the part of each Democrat to labor to
secure the support of all the whites i'll the
Commonwealth. Thousands who have
long been estranged from US can be sue
cessfully appealed to to give helping
hand in contest where the uppermost
thought of the Radical majority is to put
down the old rebels"
If the force bill becomes law, We expect
TO see in Virginia the sublime spectacle of
all her true and loving sons banding to-
gether heart and hand, unmindful of past
differences. to resist the wrong and to pre-
serve our constitutional rights.
In such struggle the farmers will have a
great work to do. We know they will do
It well. They are slow to anger, not hasty
IN action, temperate and conservative in
all things. but when burning under deep
sense of wrong, are as swift and irresisti-
ble as the whirlwind.