The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-21
THE EAST AND WEST
The Cleavage Between the Two
is Perceptible
AND MAY BECOME COMPLETE,
Says Senator Ingalls-The Farmers Alliance
Movement and What 1t Protends-The
Envy of the Western Settler.

article entitled 1.-THE East and the WeSt,'
is from the pen of Senator John ]. ingalls,,
and is published in paper of to-day:
"The Republican party is undergoing
process of augmentation. The cleavage
between the east and the VESTS perceptible
and may become complete. The differences
between the two ections result from en-
vironment, and I fear are fundamental.
Reconciliation is impossible, except by con-
! cessions, which would be equivalent to sur
render, and this is not to be anticipated.
l do not regard the movement which, IN
der various names, is going on in the west
and south as casual sporadic or temporary.
1t Is an organization of the labOring. pro-
ducing and agricultural classes for their
own protection. 1t is not yet an array
against wealth, property. corporations or
| capital. So far it is strictly defensive, but
there are enormous possibilities of mischief.
Derision, ridicule and oeuunciation are not
wise. Reason, argument, conference, pro-
| pltiation would be better. 1t is well to be
careful in handling dynamite, especially
when it happens to be intelligent and has
men of the east who look upon it
all with an air of amused and
patronizing interest, will find they
are not guided by their customary penetra-
| ton. Politics do not wholly, nor even
largely, account for the marvellous spread
OF the movement. 1t must be described as
the sudden appreciation of the power pos
sessed by every atom in our complex and
extraordinary social fabric. Men have
passed from a hazy understanding of the
right of the individual to vote to q reaiza-
| ton of the resistless power of their votes
when combined. The dynamics of the
western movement are not understood and
appreciated east of the Alleghanies. There
is disposition to scott, sheer and dispar-
age, which is impolitic and unfortunate.
This will nintensify the irritation and ag-
gravate the tendency to separation.
They have learned the lesson Of the
supremacy of numbers-the power Of COM
binatiOn. They have discovered that they
are in the majority. The movement is
spreading with extraordinary rapidity.
Organizations proceeding in Iowa, Illinois,
Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan and Wiscon-
sin. In Ohio 10000 farmers are already
organized, and it is expected that there
will be 5000 before the close of the year.
The demand is for more circulating
medium, lower taxation, tariff reduction,
and the restriction OF corporate powers.
The agitation and discomfort have been re-
inforced by bad crops, unpropitious sea
sons, debts and low prices. An element
that cannot be overlooked is the dull,
brutal, and vulgar insolence and ostenta
ton OF the millionaires. They are vulner
able. They have not been as sagacious in
the use of wealth as they have in its &C
QUESTION. On this particular phase of the
question much might be said, for it woulC
be idle to deny that fool with a million
dollars is more harmful than fool with
nothing but poverty to back up his folly.
| how ha dow Of. irriI, irrr
will be seen the existing clique of sordid
and ambitious mfllionaires is suggestively
close to the Schemers and tricksters who
are playing upon the passions of the poor
81 thought at one time coalition of the
west and south was inevitable, but this
does not seem likely to occur. The race
question and it's incidents insure the sol.
idity of the south and its identity with the
democracy as long as the present policy OF
the Republican party continues. 1t is to 6
: dim and unacknowledged perception of this
perhaps that the apathy and Indifference Of
the western constituencies to the election
bill is attributable. A readiustment of oul
political forces will affect the Democrats az
: well as the Republicans; both parties will
be compelled to rectify their frontiers.
} Gin Ireland, Germany and Russia similar
| agitation exists, but the menace is not 81
appalling. Society is satisfied there There
are monarchs, dynasties, standing armies
f hereditary establishments and avocation
atfording infinite and formidable obstacles
and barriers TO disorder. But here ever,
+ individual is alert and mobile and armed
: with the ballot, a terrible projectile Ii Their,
are behind it impelling forces of hunger
poverty, anger and desperation. 1t is diff
r ficult for the average well-to-do man t.
realize the envy which possess the western
settler who watches magnifcently equip
ped and gorgeous team as it rolls by hi
mortgaged land. He is without the mean
t to feed hls family and he is crushed t
s earth by poverty. The railroad passs
: over his land and makes none
o the emblem of prosperity and wealth H.
r realizes that he is factor in the wealth O
: the road, yet he is periodically starvin
for bread. He has discovered that the De
a claration of Independence, "Yanke
q Doodle" the Fourth of July, the constitu
@ tion OF the United States and universal sui
b frage have not classified poverty, nor re
a suited IN social fraternity and an equal dill
9 fusion of wealth, and the burdens, benefit
!, and privileges of society. Among the far
Y mers, men of extensive views are G
g course to be found, there are some VIII
o openly advocate the reputation of deb
r. public and private, fraternalism in govern
ment and forcible redistribu ton of pror
d erty, but the number is small yet, thong
n increasing rather than decreasing and
J. course there are knaves and rogues, Scapin:
n Robert Macaires, Jeremy bidders all
" Micawbers among them. Many OF til
i schemes and projects are grotesque, sym
> metrical gimcrack, but in the main the
Is are the serious efforts of sincere, homes
and patriotic men, often without educatio
or discipline, misled sometimes BY
sinister and incendiary appeals t
At solve the social and.political problems of tx
-. nineteenth century.
y 1.-THE agricultural warehouse, sub treas
le ury scheme, and the loaning Of irredeeu
id able fiat money on real estate securit
g. have few adherents thus far among tt
o. masses of the people, even among tho:
e. who have been unfortunate and are in oil
" tress. Perceiving the accelerating tent
d, ency OF political power to concentrate in
is few hands and the enormous aggregate
= of wealth by individuals SO that Unequal
IN ties are greater in democratic gover
- ment than in despotism, they are consi(
ering the questions in committee of tt
whole. They may report progress and az
IN leave to consider 1t again, or they may ris
:. and order the previous question. If ther
10 is any flibustering the result cannot
10 foretold.
Of 1.-The problem is as old as humanity, bl
I'd it has never arisen under the same cond
n lions before, so there are no precedents
I'd They had similar trouble in Sparta
good many centuries ago and Lycug,
gathered up all the real estate and pa
celled it out among the citizens. The pa
pt ricans and plebians of Roms hsd the san
:, difficulty and the plebians came out ahea
But there are no precedants in histor,
which is said to repeat itself, that app
hers because this is the first time the e,
= pertinent Of popular governmental
y sovereignty OF the people-has been trie
!, l am not q pessimist or ringer of an alar
ID bell at midnight, but there are many ind
cations Of the approach Of structural