Thomas County cat., 1890-10-23
BIRTH AND DEATH OF PARTIES.

The course Of American politics, not
alone in this generation. but ever since
the foundation of the republic, has been
one of transition. The birth and death
Of political parties has followed the evo-
luton OF ideas. It follows that ideas
create political parties and sustain them
in periods of activity. When political
party has outlived ideas and depends
for power solely upon past achieve
ments, it is beating tho air in futile
attempt to delay the hour of its disso-
luton as politica. entity. 1t is hardly
necessary to remind the American peo-
pie that this constant reconstruction of
parties is a sign of political health.
When a great political party can no
longer appeal to the judgment of the
masses, its vitality necessarily becomes
either stagnant or corrupt. Marrow
minded partisans may and do cling to
old parties with tenacity born OF big
otry, but the great mass of intelligent,
nor. partisan voters is constantly reach
ing forward for new ideas in conso-
nance with the restless but progressive
spirit Of the times. No political party,
no matter how transcendant in import.
ancs its past achievements in the line
of human progress, can stand still in
this day Of great Issues. It must
either keep slightly in advance. and not
merely abreast of the rush of latter-day
or it must recede from the
field of human action and give place to
a new party born of ideas. Are the
farmers of America creating a new
party? The events of the last twelve
months prove that the agriculturists of
America have learned the secret OF po-
litical power, and how to WELD that
power successfully for the attainment
Of legitimate political ends. Being
pre.eminently agricultural country, it
IS impossible to over-estimate the i'm
portance of tho farmers movement, or
is possible influence upon national and
state politics. The axiom that "in union
IS strength" has become the creed of
he American farmers, and the most
skilled politicians OF the country are
'eady to admit that the balance OF
'ower in the national congress is within
'asy reach of the united agriculturists.
How much further this political power
nay extend, the future only can deter
nine. 1t is within the range OF prob
'bility that from this auspicious begin
ling the farmers may lay the founda-
ion of political party that will alb
orb the best elements of both the old |
parties, and enter upon career of pres
ige and power that will in it's turn be
nded only by the disintegrating pro-
ess that follows fulfilled mission and
naterialized ideas. At present the
armers have the advantage OF either of
he old parties, by being in absolute
ouch with the bone and sinew of the
ountry. The people who pay taxes
'ut of their hard earnings as manual
aborers, are probably better fitted to
lass Judgment upon the great political
ssues of the day than any other class
4 American citizens. The varied labor
are working in harmony
With the farmers in most OF the states
vhere an attempt is beng made to
ontrol legislation in the interests of
griculture. It is doubtless true that
he demands of the farmers for legisla-
ion in their interests are not polished
Of vigorous ideas, and in
ome respects will require to be toned
lown in conformity with absolute JUS
ice to all classes. 1t is also true, how
'ver. that all great political parties have
,een created by just such issues as are
low being forced upon the American
people by the farmers.
....10
THE TRUE AND ONLY ISSUE.