Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-09-15
What viii the Old Parties Dor

What viii the Old Parties Do?
The unity, determination and intelli'
gence shown in the recent annual ALI
ance meetings of thirteen important
states will no doubt astonish the lead
ers of the two old parties. Heretofore
the idea has prevailed among the pollti-
clans that the alliance did not contain
the elements of cohesion and determine
ton in sufficient degree to insure
either continued existence or effective
service. Events now prove the inaccu-
racy of such conclusions. and point to
theinecessity of immediate action on be-
half of the two old parties for self-pres-
ervation and a continuance in power.
just what will be tried or the
methods employed should be matter
of anxiety to all reformers. The
usual methods OF, deception and prom
ises,will be ruled ,out tbyith more care
fuliand observing, as not adapted to the
rapid progress OF education that has
obtained among thepeople the past few
years. OF course this will be tried in
some localities, but as a;rule it will not
be dangerous or effective. Threats and
brlbes touching financial matters will be
depended on generally nOwthan in the
past, as the condition of the people is
much worse and the power Of money to
Cypress is more effective. TO what OK
tent this system Of coercion can be car
ried is matter of conjecture, but the
independence of character which has
so far waited upon education in alliance
principles will, no doubt, act as
oh 70 in
famous measures Doubtless the pol
icy of minor occasions in certainllOcal-
titles, and a bitter contest in others, will
be generally adopted. OF the two, the
policy of concession is by far the most
dangerous. A desire not to throw;away
ones vote, or to have something to show
after election, will induce many good
brethren to accept and agree to certain
concessions which sound very smoothly
ITO the ear. but avail nothing in the
great struggle for reform. After cleo
ton these sweet sounding words are OF
no avail and q, candidate has been cleo
ted who will not only work against all
measures of reform, but will claim by
the very concessions made that the
refOrmers in his election district
supported him, knowing full we'll his
views upon sucn matters. There are
many TROUBLES that can overtake the al
lance that are far worse than defeat A
defeat which results from contest over
a principle. simply encourages the true
hearted to greater effort, and usually
brings q victory in the end. But bat
tie won on wrong principles or through
mnfair means is disaster to any cause,
mo matter in what light it may be con-
sidered. If the alliance cannotsuccess-
fully contend for its principles in a
manly, honorable and honest manner, it
had better 60 down, and that at once.
Let the contest. therefore, he made
openly. Let NO entangling concessions
be entered into There is no middle
ground between right and wrong.
There can be NO compromise between
organized good and organized evil. If
the principles of the alliance are just. if
the cause of the farmer is well founded,
if the fight against plutoeraey is right,
let there be no concessions, no side
tracks, no swaying to the right or left;
but instead, let each take courage from
present indications, and stand together
against a common enemy upon the
broad platform of ''equaA rights to all
and special privileges to none. Ma
tiOnal Economist.