Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-01-31
Is the Farmers Alliance a Partisan
ORGANIZATION

OLt5c1lIA E1csGA@'44
Recently this paper and the Logan
Freeman have to some extent dis
cussed the Farmers Alliance, the
HERALD taking the position that the
organization is a non-partisan order,
while the Freeman has done its best
to convince its readers that it is po-
Iitical to the extent at least that it is
the enemy of the democratic and re-
publican parties, and that a member
Of the Alliance cannot be a democrat
or a republican. We have from the
start been friendly toward the Ali
ance, and have recommended farmers
to Join It, and we have cautioned the
Freeman editor and other intense
partisans against raising the war
whoop and thus melting discord which
might and probably would result in
greatly impairing the usefulness and
efficiency of the organization. Many
prominent Alliance men IA this coun-
ty have warmly approved Of our
words, and have expressed regret that
the Freeman or any one else should
make the representation that no one
is eligible to membership in the Ali
ance unless he declares his hostility
to both the old parties and becomes a
union laborite But it seems that
Mr.. Boyd has one ally IN this discus
sion. The new paper lately started
at Topeka, called the alliance, last
week takes the Freema31's side Of the
controversy. In a tive AID a half col
umn article it copies Mr.. Boyd Ia fHllll
| endorsing bis views but quotes moth
ing from tae HERALD, yet deliberate
ly proceeds to mis-sbaEe ouF position,
and in a plying sort Of style, express
ses the opinion that it "does not be-
heye the editor Of the Phillipsburg
Herald has fully Investigated the
plans and purposes of the Alliance"
We make the same reply TO our To
| peka cotemporary that we made to
the FTeeman-that if it turns out
that no body but members Of the IN
ion labor party can become members
Of the Farmers Alliance, then 1t will
be a slim affair so far as numbers are
/ concerned. It is fortunate for the
! Farmers Alliance that these news
/ papers alluded to, have no more au-
thOrity to speak as to the objects and
aims of the Allience, than has this pa
per or any Individual. The facts are
that the constitution declares, and
wisely too, that the Alliance is non
partisan. It's aim is to subserve the
best interests of the tsIliag masses:
it goes on the principle that in union
there is strength, and it invites to It's
membership republicans, union labor
r ties, democrats men of all parties
, and of no party who are in sympathy
with the efforts of the great industrial
/ classes to better their condition. The
true friends Of this great movement
are not those who raise the partisan
{ war whoop, and who declare that &
} man cannot be a republican or a dem
ocrat and at the same time be q GOOD
member of the Alliance, but it will be
/ found shat the most Trustworthy
. friend OF the Alliance is he who
whether he be a democrat, republican
or union labOrite, studies the indus
trial questions now pressing for solu
ton, and calmly, intelligently anC
honestly joins in all well directed
j movements which promise to lighter
e the burden of the masses. If the
HERALD were to advise the Alliances
. our advice would be to pay no heec
to the ranting, vociferating, self-ap
$ pointed political leaders who are urg
y ing them to smash up both the ole
political parties instanter, but to 60
steadily and tremendously along, anC
; when it becomes apparent that exist
ing laws should be repealed or new
ones enacted. demand, as a non-par
tisan association composed of mem
bers of all political parties, such leg
isIation as may be desired. In thiI
; way you can increase your member
5 ship. to enormous numbers and car
e become a mighty power for good ant
will be in position to command re
!, spect from all political organization
Q and can shape Legislation as you may
E desire.
Every farmer shouId buiId q dan