Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-05-06
stanton Spectacle.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9Th, 1891.
The Farmers Alliance.

The Farmers Alliance.
Will the Farmers Alliance form third
party? This, as the Lynchburg Advonce
says, is one Of the most momentous ques-
tions in the politics of the near future, on
account CT it's bearing on the election of
'92. The speculations of the wisest politi-
cal seer may be all baffled by this unknown
quantity. Hence the anxiety with which
the outgivings of prominent Alliance lead
ers are scrutinized and weighed. If the
question could be settled by the action of
Southern Alliance men alone there would
be little doubt or uncertainty. They know
that any serious desertion from the Demo
cratic ranks or any serious division Of the
white vote in these States would imperii
every interest which men hold dear. They
believe, too, that the predominance of the
Democratic party in the Union would cure
many if not all the evils complained of by
the Alliance. The deadiest foe to the
agricultural interest of the whole country
is now and has been for 80 years the Re
publican party with its high protective
principles and practices. Against these
principles and practices the Democratic
party is wsglng warfare as relentless AND
incorporating as the Alliance ITSELF
Hence instead of antagonism it appears to
the Southern voter that the closest amity
and the most unbroken harmony should
exist between these two organizations
With the Alliance in the West and the
Northwest the case is little different
The desperate condition to which Western
farmers have been reduced by measures
inaugurated and fostered by the Republi-
can party has reused them to action. They
see the necessity for combination, for re-
sistance, fer political revolution. Tn.
fortunately in their zeal they would in
volve both the old parties in condemnation
though only one Of them is really RESPONSE
BILE for the evils complained of. They want
relief, reform. The readiest way 10 obtain
what they want is to unite with the party
which has been for years fighting for the
came relief and the same reform. Their
motto is "equal rights for all and special
favors for none" That has been the motto
Of the Democratic party from the very
beginning. What then shall be thought of
the threat of the president of the Kansas
Farmers Alliance that if the Alliance men
of the Southern States do not come out of
the Democratic party the Western Alliance
will 60 over in body to the Republican
party? No threat could be more insane, no
act could be more irrational or more sub
versive of all the objects sought by the AL
lance. We are told Oh Alliance authority
that while the farmers constitute 70 per
cent of the population and possess only rs
per cent of the wealth of the country they
pay so per cent of the taxes. Who inn
posed these taxei? Has not the Republican
party held the power Of taxation for thirty
years? How then can relief be expected by
joining this party and pefpetuating its
power to impose taxes? 1t cannot be that
this Kansas man is fair exporent Of the
sentiment prevailing in the Western ALI
apce. We give the shrewd Westerners
credit for more Judgment, more penetra-
ton, more common sense. The educa
tional process which has been going On for
three years, has brought the people to
realize the epormities under which they
are ground down to the very earth. Let
the process go on until they are convinced
that their political salvation Or rather re-
deuption is bound up in the fate of the
Democratic party. Instead of censuring
their Southern brethren for not DESERVING
the party which has always been the
champion of their rights, let them initiate
their example and siren CITIZEN that party by
the accession of overwhelming numbere.-
Such we believe will be their ultimste de
csion unless the demagogues and self
seeking politicians succeed in fastening
themselves on the unsuspectiDg farmers as
leaders and in shaping the action of the
organization to promote their own personal
and selfish ends. Whatever may be the
action of the Alliance in the West The
South will remain solIdly Democratic
Then if the Western States should break
away from the Republican party and vote
for Presidential candidate of their own,
the result may be that no candidate viii
secure majority Of votes in tie popular
election, and The choice Of President will
be thrown into the House Of Representa-
tives. In that case the election of the
Democratic candidate is a foregone con
clusion. So if the Western Alliance decide
to form third party it will still be in the
power of the Southern Alliance men to
maintain the integrity Of the Democratic
party and secure the election of Demo
cratic President ia '92
In prncirNpH Horricop1a Intfar m he