The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-05-01
Mr.. Steers Opposition to the AL.
1iauoa

MI. W III. D' OtSei again cOthts lOTWdIu
in the Democrat, to record his disapproval
OF the Farmers Alliance, and it will be
very apparent to every student Of Alliance
measures and motives, that Mr.. Steel has
imbibed a very imperfect knowledge of the
spirit and aims of the Alliance and the var
ious labor organizations, which are in this
reform movement. What he writes he
expresses, frequently, is his 'opinion."
This is a mistake too, ON Mr.. Steel's part
He has not made himself familiar with the
subject sufficiently to have formed an indi-
yidnal opinion, and. is only repeating
doubtless unwittingly-the assertions ofthe
subsidized daily press of the large cities,
which press is in the hands and control Of
the moneyed and corporation classes. Mr..
Steel ought to ask his sober reason if two or
three million farmers are likely 10 be either
dishonest or visionary, or if it is not more
reasonable to suppose that the class Of peo-
pie who haye drawn almost the whole of
the wealth of the nation into their posses
sion, are not more likely to misrepfesent
and mislead taro' their daily papers than
the farmers. MIR. Steel is sin the same
boat with the farmers. What is their
cause is his cause, and this consideration
should warn him how dangerous it is to bs-
come committed against movement that is
clearly, fright, in his interest, and before
yenturing to express an opinion on the
Enthusiastically an adverse one how
very, very important it is 10 thoroughly
master the subject in all its details.
His quotation from the National Econ
omist and comments in last weeks Demo
crat, betray an entire mlsconception of the
Alliance organization. And again when he
asserts that at Ocaia convention the National
Alliance came very near inauguraling a
third party, he is wholly in error. AS well
might the Odd Fellows, Masons, Knights OF
Pythias and other fraternal associations at
tempt to inaugurate, or turn themselves into
athird (politicaD party as the Alliance.
It's entire frame work. construction and
mode of operation make such step impos-
sible. Mr.. Steel being unacquainted with
this fact, he misinterprets the quotation
from the Economist, which applies to Off
GERS in the State Alliance in Mississippi and
Missouri, who have been tempted by some
influence TO use their Office to antagonize the
order to which they belong, by opposing in
public speeches fundamental principles of
the order. How long would any society
tolerate an official member who went out
and made public speeches against its decla-
ration of principles, or religious society
allow preacher to remain an ordained
minister Of The church who preached against
any ofthe fundamental doctrines of the
church? Any member if the Alliance has a
right to discuss and endeavor to change or
have modified any measure he disapproyes,
that has been adopted by the National body,
in the Alliance; and as TO voting be votes
for or with any party he chooses and no
questions asked, but if he is opposed 10
Alliance principles he as matter of course
would not wish TO remain member, unless
to act spy. Neither would person hold
ing views antagonistic TO ary order or asso-
citation if honest wish TO remain member
ofthe same.
Mr.. Steel concludes his article with the
following solemn declaration:
when see the Alliance advocating
measures which are almost certain TO prove
Injurious to the farmers themselves, ana
subversiye to the best interests of society at
large, | deem it my duty as a citizen and a
friend of the farmer, to raise my voice
against.it."
This is assuming good deal for one who
demonstrates that he entirely misapprehends
the whole scope and principles of the Al
lance. If he will take up any one of the
six demands" of the Farmers Alliance
and Industrial Union as promulgated by the
Ocala convention, and discuss it, pointing
out his objections, he will find defenders
worthy of his steel. We presume any of
the county papers would willingly contrib
ute space for hearing. Or if he prefers
10 debate the subject, and appoint meeting
he or any other champion will be accom-
modated. The financial question is par
amount to all other questions before The
country to-day, and has been most carefully
kept in the background by the money
power. The Alliance has proposed plans
to relieve the country-especially agricul-
ture-from The grinding weight of debt
placed upon it by our class financial system.
Ii DIRECTORS haye any better they ought 10
present them. The money sloaning elias
denied there was an insuficiency of cur
rency in circulation when the Alliance first
proclaimed it, but have finally come to
admit the fact, but they offer no remedy,
and they fail 10 produce single fact or
argument against the measures put forward
BY the Alliance. We have abundance of
assertion filtered through the Subsidized
press and repeated by badly informed per-
sons, but no iacts or argument against the
farmers movement. and the methods they
propose. We repeat, if there is anything
better lei its authors produce it, Our pres
ent financial system Is the worst for toll
ing democracy and the best for money
aristocracy that was ever invented and
palmed upon nation.
The Alliance is intensely political but ii
is not a political party, aud it will train
with no party. Il will fight all parties that