Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-24
Farmers and Politics,

There Is nothing so tempting TO new
organization which seems to have great
strength as the prospect of forming new
OF third party able TO outyote both tho Ola
parties. II Is so tempting that the new
organization very often goes to pieces on
that rock in the political ocean as
wrecked vessel destitute of all strength
goes 20 pieces on rock in the physical
ocean.
The N4son Examiner argues the question
whether the farmers or the Farmers ALI
ance should organize party Of Their own
It's conclusion is as follows;
"Any effort to form a third party seems 70 w
10 be full Of all sorts Of danger, not only 70 'he
country AT large, but 70 the very object Whch 'he
farmers have IN view. Republicans ana Deiho-
Gratis cannot mix IN politics any more than o."
and wator. Can a Republican who Tor years mas
been a protective tariff man, who has ooen con-
sceniously nghtlng all hts life on that line' DO
expected TO change his whole theory on This SUD
tec; and fight for the opposite view Just because
he has become member Of tho organization
which believes In tariff reform. Can Demo
Graf be turned into an apostle Of protection by
becoming a member Of the organization when
adopts that view? Certainly not. stu II inc
farmers form third party they viii be forced 10
take position one way or the other on this ques-
ton. When they do dsaenslon and discord
must follow The Same win be true OF every
other question which may arise, and as to wnich
the two parties as they now exist are ~ variance
"Such, reason dlctatcs would be tho result
Such has been the history OF every attempt 10
form a third party. Its life has, without e&ceI-
tion been Of short duration, and OF course 1t has
| failed 10 accomplish the purpose for which II was
formed. History, on the other hand, furnishes
tho greatest mum ber of instances In which great
| reforms have been accomplished by reiormers
| who worked In and obtained control Of their own
party.
"If the farmers fight inside Of tho parties ms
they now exist they have the power 10 correct all
| the evils Of which they complain 40 far as II
| can DO done through politics. Exercise that
power properly and success viii attend the ei-
tort. Act otherwise and, 30 far rs we can see,
failure must be the result
According to the best information we
can obtain. the farmers are bent upon
having larger volume Of currency in this
country, and fully determined not to sup
port for Congress any man who denies to
them the right to have their silver coined
free, as gold Is coined. These farmers can
not be misled by false and exaggerated
statements from any source, nor deceived
by the aiders and supporters OF the money
spectators. They know that they seldom
or mover see n gold coin, but constantly
see silver ones. They know, in a word,
that silver is the peoples money. Now. can
these farmers be deluded into lending their
countenance TO measures they detest sim
ply because these measures have the sup
port of men protesting TO be their party
friends? 1t would be wise for the leaders
of the Democratic party not to lose sight
of the state of things which already OBJ
tsins almost everywhere in the country,
and which is not likely to be improved by
any effort on their part to shirk tho ques-
tons which the farmers consider of para
mount importance to the agricultural
classes.