New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-12
THINGS NOT CERTAIN

The elections OF 1890 may perhaps not be
completely understood for some months But
two facts have already become evident, which
make Democratic rejoicing shade extiava-
CANT In many States and districts, especially
at the East, the only change dscoverable is
failure of many thousand Republicans to vote.
The Democrats win, but without casting as
large vote as they cast when defeated in
1883. At the West, in other States and dis
tricts. the Republicans have been defeated only
by the running of Farmers Alliance can
ddates, in some cases with Democratic assist
ance, but more frequently without 1t. Three
tickets being in the field, the Farmers Alliance
sometimes poled the most votes, end in other
cases sufiiced only to make democratic success
possible.
The defeat at Bull Run did not end the
war. though Democrats expected that it would,
much as they are rejoicing to-day. The in
difference of Republicans in an off year. and
particularly at recurring intervals of eight
wears. in 1874, 1882 and 1890, is not proof
that the stay at homes have turned Democrats
Il remains to be seen how many of them will
he found Indifferent when Presidential cleo
tion comes and the future OF the Nation de-
pends upon them. They arrived in time to
defeat Mr.. Tilden in 1876 and in spite OF the
NJugw1lmp detection actually defeated MIR.
Cleveland in 1884 had the votes been fairly
cast and counted in this State. 1t would be
safer for Democrats to anticipate that this same
class of voters will be found jealous in 1892
to counteract the results of their indifference
this year
The Farmers Alliance is different matter.
&l,&, kpa tn
STAY that its Western and Southern branches
will be Immediately united, and it will run its
own Presidential and Congressional ticket In
1892, as it did in some States this year They
may be over sanguine, but they profess great
confidence that the farmers two years hence
will not be used chiefly for the benefit of the
Democratic party. 1t is unnecessary to say
that the future OF the organization depends en-
tirely upon its ability to do something alto
gether different. Republican farmers will not
| be deluded again into service as assistant Dem
ocrats. contributing to q triumph Of the Demo-
cratic party so complete that they yet no prac-
teal power themselves.
| In the attempt 10 create a National Farmers
party differences Of most serious character will
| be encountered. The antagonism between the
Southern Alliance. which passionately demands
| the Sub -Treasury scheme, and the Western
| organizations, which reject it, will not be
| easy to remove Neither will the farmers OF
Western wOol-growing States take the same
view of the tariff question which is taken by
the Southern organization. In treatment OF
corporations and trusts, railroad and warehouse
and telegraph companies the two organya-
tons are not unlike. They follow closely in
the footsteps Of the Changers, excepting that
| they 20 much further toward confscation OF
property But it is entirely possible that the
Western organization may presently follow the
Changers in another respect, and cease to look
for political results OF a wise and useful sort
by action on the part OF farmers exclusively.
In judging of this sudden movement il il
needful to remember that it has not as yet the
active support of "A majority of farmers in any
Western State. Whether it can ever get such
support will depend largely upon the measure
of practical sense and justice manifested by
those who have been elected by the organiza
ton this year. II they are as wild and unrea
sOnable as some OF those who have assumed Il
speak for the farmers, il may bo safely pre-
dcted that the organization will not live Il
be an important political force ut the Yves
two years hence. But il they are REASONABLE,
and wise and refuse to engage i'm undertak
Of farmers, they are likely to find themselve
ostracized in their own organization by tn,
wilder and more fanatical. The country vii
presently learn whether Reputation OF homes