The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-04-11
The Life Of the Alliance In Danger.

Il Nc Lilo ok tno hlleuoo IN UbuH0t.
Our correspondent E. W. j., intimaies that |
in our editorial Of last week upon the Till
man-Shsll convention, We took our cue alone
from tho reports Of the Ners and Courier
and Columbia Register.
That's mistake, we took our cue from the
Grcenville News-the bcst newspaper friend
the Farmers have in the State ths Charlea- J
ton World-owned by the Jute.-
Trust Co., Of charlottesville Columbis
Register and the Record and the Ners ant
Courier, and they all agreed upon the points
Of which we spoke; and the moro we red |
and hear Of that convention, the stronger is
our conviction that il was ring-rukd,
bosscd convention, gotten up and manibu-
lated by what Mr.. Tillman calls "Edgcfld
Democrats" (but whats, that is, different to
any other Democrats in tho State, we ddh't
know, unless it is in their bull-dozing mdh-
ods) and few others. of the Farmers ADO
citation, in the interest Of Tillman br
Governor.
Now, we are, and always have been, deadly
opposed to rings, bossism and cliqucs whs
manipulate conventions, or any other bodies
Of men assembled for the public good or for
the betterment Of any class or vocations.-
We have done and now do our own thinking,
and will not allow ono man or set Of sohem,
ing men to cram down our throats any move
-~---.'~-'' -'--- * A-in;--
low.
Our record, n, the friend Of the Farmers
of this State is in print for forty years, and
as true democrat We dare express our
opinion Of any man or move that affects the
Democratic party.
From what VIC heard Of tho spirit Of Mr..
Talbcrt's lecture before the Alliance last
Friday, we expected our position last week
to bc severely criticized. Mr.. Talbert is
man of considerable ability but he is an
"Edgefeld Democrat and, whether know
ingly or not, Ly being elected to preside over
the convention, he was made an important
link IN the chain that bounds small majority
of that body to the Tillman faction,
consequently he feels somewhat embittered
at any unfavorable criticism Of its proceed
ings and coming fresh from tho copyen-
ton, rs State Lecturer to tho Alliances, he
delegates to the State Democratic Conven-
ton.
But the action Of the March Convention,
with its suggestion Of Ti'lman for Governor
Of the State, would be of small importance
if the movement, from beginning to end, did
not, in our opinion, endanger the life Of the
Alliance.
We are a true friend to the Alliance.
Under its present organization and manage
ment, it is tho safety valve Of the Farmers
movement but if faction Of its members
are permitted to air their ambitious aspira-
tons for office under the guise Of other
Farmers organizations aud then return to
the Alliance and ask that body to endorse
their action as VIC regret to see has been
the case in some countes-it would throw
the doors wide open for the admission Of
the most discordant element Of politics
imaginablc-that Of personal feeling among
the msmhsrs in -sAsrcisisg the Individual
ton can get together snd ca{ft
vention to nominate a certain man or q 1cer-'
tain ticket, then send cne of their numberi
through the State and induce the Alliance
to accept and endorse the nomination, why
cannot the same be done by few office
seekers in the county?
We may be told that such thing could
not well occur in the choice for county Off
GERS, as that is decided by Primary cleo
ton but we reply, while it may no. be 80
fully carried out, it can be used to commit
some of the Alliances to tho support Of GER
tain candidates and thereby create discord
between Alliances.
SO long as the Alliance, as an organiza.
ton, keeps clear from political party entan-
clements, it will be harmonious and bene-
fetal organization, but if it allows itself to
be dragged into the whirlpool of politics by
other organizations we predict it will 60 to
pieces in n short time.
The methods Of the Tillman Edgcfeld de-
mocracy in the March convention has split
the Farmers Association into two irrecon-
cilablc parties. and it will do the same with
the Alliance if permitted TO get a foothold
in that organization.
Without going outside, VIC think the ALI
ance will find trouble enough on its hands
to keep peace in its ranks, in consequence
of tho conflicting influences Of the many
candidates, who we are told, intend to run
for office, under the Alliunce banner, this
year. 1t will require cool hc,ds and good
steering to keep it clear of ofdestructive break
ers.
Once divest the Alliance OF title of its
present business and social features and
allow politics to take the place. and the days
of its usefulness and life will be short and
-hnisteraus.- in - death will the Last
effort to organize tho Farmers be buried
deep.
----------- -..---