The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-03
v.RNING TO FARMERS.

In a recent interview the Commissioner Of
Agriculture. Hon. Thomas Whitehead, offers
an emphatic warning 10 the representatives. Of
the extreme wing in the Farmers Alliance in
this state against the inadyisability from
every point Of consideration Of inaugurating
distinct political movement of their own
with view 20 the formation Of permanent
third party % act independently Of the two
great political organizations already IN
existence. This warning. a. coming from
tho official head of the farming interests Of
Virginia a man who has had every opportu-
nitv and every inducement % acquire thorough
knowledge Of every thing that is calculated
either To- promote or retard the welfare OF
those engaged i'm agricultural pursuits. should
carry great weight with all whoare inclined 10
listen 10 sound and disiuterested advice
We believe this warning to bee just and time
". NJ element IN the various communities
Of this State is entitled 20 higher considera-
ton than our farmers. whether regarded IN
the point Of numbers on the Importance Of
their occupation No element has suffered
more heavily in the past; none i- suffering as
much in the present. Many influences have
combined % bring our farmers 20 the low
est point Of depression, from which there IS
little prospect of their being raised a. an early
DAY. But IN spite Of this facr they cau. as a
class. gain nothing by breaking away from
the Democratic party and erecting O. separate
political organization. 70 do so would only
create "A division which would weaken tho
Democratic party In very high degree with
ont giving their own organization sufficient
numerical strength 20 carry ont its purpose.
There are mo- abuses in this State as there
were in South Carolina 20 Justify the inausu-
ration of q Farmers Alliance party independ-
emily OF the general principle, upon which
the Alhancewls established Thereareuolo local
issues of great weight tosustain movement of
this character in Virginia If the Farmers
Alliance sccedcs from both Of the old parties
it must do So upon the basis of the general
objects which It has in view These are OBJ
iects which. as the last Congressional cleo
tions plainly showed are more effectively car
ried ont 10y the Alliance supporting the Demo
cratic party than 10y making separate CAM
paicn of It's own.
l-' i''il'" lttNi' i'tl Nff i'' ''' ftt-.'t
reveals. but more especially lbs recent history
in connection with the tariff. is the friend Of
the farmer, his vigi.aui guardian, his earnest
supporter. II is eminentIy the farmers party.
Its roll of legislation Is marked by the most
stringent measure. against monopoly. With
ccaseless 4lctvtv it has fought and over
thrown the Republican party ON the issue Of
the high tariff. which has done So much 10
reduce the farmers 20 their present condition
of depression. II has stcrnly enforced the
principal of economy in t.e administration Of
National and State affairs. In every step
which it has taken. il has persisteutly and
sedulou-ly kept the interests OF the people in
view. and the interests of the farmers and the
interests of the people are identical.
The Democratic party Of Virginia is COM
posed in an overwhelming degree Of farmers.
or all the elements that make up our differ
ent communities it is most To- the interest Of
those engaged in agriculture % remain true to
their party allegiance because they have such
aprepouderance in votes that they can secure
any reasonable object which they may wish TO
carry out. Any disposition on their part 10
seccde from the party should he most strongly
condemned in the membership Of their own
order, because ieopardizng the retention Of
political power which they already possess