St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-18
ALLIANCE NOMINATIONS.

There is not single criticism to make
on the results of the Alliance conven-
ton, either as it relates to the platform
or to the ticket. Both are better than
was expected. and both reflect credit
upon the organization.
Mr.. OWEN, the nominee for gov
ernor, is an unpretentious gentleman
who is well known to the farmers Of the
state through the medium of his agri-
cultural journal. As editor of the
Farm, Stock and Home, the leading
agricultural paper in the state, he has
for some years been preaching to the
farmers of Minnesota the very same
doctrines that are embraced in the plat
form. Originally Republican, he be-
came convinced that the policy of the
Republican party, particularly on the
tariff and the currency, was hurtful
to the farming classes, and. following
the bent of his honest convictions, he
has for some time past been urging the
farmers to adopt independent political
action. Mr.. OWEN is man of decided
ability and of high character, and taking
all things into consideration, is possibly
the strongest leader that the Alliance
could have chosen for this campaign.
The platform is good enough for any
farmer or workingman to stand on. We
say this all the more eheerfully because
in the main it is in thorough accord
with the Democratic position on the
leading issues. 1t favors an abolition
of the war taxes and reduction of the
tariff to strictly revenue basis. 1t de-
clares for silver coinage, denounces
the MCKINLEY bill as the browning
infamy of the Republican policy,
opposes monopoly rule in whatever
shape it shows itself, favors the Austria
liam system, wants fair adjustment of
railway charges and warehouse commits
sions, and, in fact. pronounces nn-
eQuivocally in favor of about every
thing that the Democrats are fighting
for. Consequently the GLOBE has no
fault to find with the platform, particu-
larly as it is the formulated expression
of opinion of large and respectable
convention of farmers, most of whom
have heretofore affiliated with the Re-
publican party.
The Alliance leaders understand we'll
enough that their chance for victory
this year is slim one. Their main
purpose is to organize their party and
to concentrate their forces so as to make
them available in the future. And it
must be admitted that they have made
splendid beginning for new party.
Considering the outside pressure that
was brought to bear upon the cOnven-
ton and the corrupt influences that
were attempted to be eXerted in forcing
| the Alliance into being an annex to one
or the other of the two factions in the
| Republican party. the convention ex-
| hibited moral heroism in resisting
these influences, the like of which has
never been seen in the politics of this
| state. This fact is the most encourag-
ing evidence that the new party has
come to stay, and will henceforth make
itself a potential factor in our state
politics.
1t was impossible to sit and look into
the honest, earnest faces of the men who
filled the state house the last two days
| and not be convinced that they were reSo
lutte in their purpose to free themselves
from the tyranny of monopoly rule
They were not there as the hirelings Of
ring or a corporation to do the bid.
ding of political bosses. They were
there as sovereign citizens of free re-
public, and filled with the courage OF
patriots who knew their rights ant
dare maintain them. The work per
formed by such body of men is not Il
be scorDed or ridiculed. 1t means bust
ness, and business of very seriou
nature for the machine bosses who hav,
had the rule in this state for so many
years. There is going to be mighty
shaking of dry bones in the valley o
desolation before this campaign is over
and some who now sit high in authorit,
already begin to interpret the hand
writing on the wall. There is ont
thing about Mr.. OWEN, the AIlianc
candidate for governor. he can neithe
be bought nor bulldozed by the ring
masters, but will remain true to hi
party and to his principles through
storm and through sunshine. 1t count
for something to have candidate Q
that kind at time when the farmer
need fearless leader.