The record-union., 1891-04-28
THE ALLIANCE AND ITS ADVISERS.

THE ALLIANCE AND IT'S ADVISERS.
Senator PETER of Kansas says the
Farmers Alliance movement means the
restoration of power to the people. The
RECoRD-UNIoN dwelt upon that topic
early in the history of the new activity.
That by rings, combines and groups of
corruptionists political power has been
wrested very largely from the control of
its creators-the people, is simply matter
of common knowledge.
Ifnow, the Farmers Alliance pursues
unobjectionable methods, does not work
itself into abnormal heat, maintains its
dignity and trespasses upon no inalien-
cable right by its demands, it viii succeed
in aiding the people to take charge of
their own affairs. If on the other hand,
it allows patent devices for reform, isms
and notions and new-fangled and absurd
ideas of social reconstruction and none
tary Illusions to dominate in its councils,
it viii fail.
The great difficulty in forwarding re-
forms is in preventing hobby riders from
seizing the reins. If, for instance, the
Alliance attempts to disturb the natural
relation Of debtor and creditor; if it at
tempts to make So cents worth of silver
buy dollars worth OF food; if it pro-
poses to attack securities in way that
will drive out investors in great praise
worthy industries, it will and should fail.
There were some indications in the Kan
sas Legislature that the fad riders were
attempting to do some of these things by
the use of the Alliance paw. We enter
tain the belief, however, that wise coun-
sells will control the Alliance, that it will
not be led astray by false notions con-
corning the increase of the volume of
money; that for all foolish measures now
proposed in its name, the Alliance will
substitute wise ones. This may be
taken as certain, as unquestioned
truth, that the Alliance, as representing
producers will have the support Of con-
sumers and the commercial world, in all
matters that are clearly by the laws ofex-
perience for the general public good. Our
people are sensible and discerning. they
will not judge the Alliance until it has
gained something in age and is able to
stand with some degree of firmness,
which no association in infancy does. The
people have very practical, sensible and
positive idea of what is for public good:
1t sometimes takes good many months
and years to settle upon the final judg-
ment, but in the end it is sound and fash
ions the policy of the nation.
Thus far the general purpose of the
Alliance is patriotic and broad, and not
narrowly selfish, though there are at
tempts to clog its movements by attach
ing impossible propositions and chimer-
ical schemes to its skirts. We have hope
that all these will be shaken off, and that
ultimate permanent good and wise re-
forms will flow from the movement, be-
cause it has a tendency, as do all such
concerted efforts, to develop active, in
telligent interest in public affairs, and to
broaden the individual intelligence of the
citizen upon politico-economic questions;
such broadening of horizons always aug
ment the drift towards the truth
What the Alliance or other move
ment TO better conditions needs is to
look out broadly, to free itself from
merely selfish ends and aims, to see be-
yond class advantage and class gains, to
seek its own good in the betterment of all
classes, conditions and sections, whether
by tariffs or their abolition; by money
reformation or adhesion to.theunvarying,
the immutable laws of trade. Whatever
Is considered as a means to the better
ment of the conditions of the agricultural
interest-and it is in sore need of it
whatever is considered as a means to
enlarge markets, enhance prices for
products Of the soil to a rate of fair profit;
70 reduce the enormous mortgage burden
and to crush out rings and combinations
that absorb the yield of the labor of pro-
Gucers and wage-earners, must also en-
brace in it, schemes the conditions and
needs of all other classes of our citizens,
and take into account the effect upon the
whole people. In a word, the farmer
cannot hope to prosper selfshly, at the
expense of any other necessary interest.