Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-03

FELTON,, Aug. 27.--Will the Farmers
Alliance of Delaware assume sufficient
strength to become q factor in politics
and take lively part in next years
election in this State?
This is n question that has been agi-
tating the minds of the leading politi-
clans of both parties in Kent and Sus-
sex counties for several weeks, and
they looked to yesterdays Alliance
meeting Qor such it was generally
termed in advance) for an answer. The
meeting was held at Spring Branch, a
camp-meciing grove two miles and
half from FELTON,. II had been talked of
for at least six weeks, in vague sort of
way, as the first move of the Alliance TO
show its hand, and great curiosity was
felt as to its outcome. Well, it was held
yesterday, and though II was a very
pleasant gathering, as an Alliance
demonstration il was not success. 81
am sorry, but it is complete failure"
frankly remarked one well-known Alli-
ance man, a prominent farmer of this
neighborhood, to friend. The attend
ance numbered about 300, men, women
and children, and President Polk of the
National Farmers Alliance, who had
been advertised as one Of the speakers,
did not put in an appearance. In fact,
he was booked for an address yesterday
at Charlotte, N. c.
POLITICIANS FIGHTING SHY.
II was amusing to note how the poll
ticians Of. both parties fought shy of
yesterdays meeting. As it turned out
to be merely farmers outing, for social
purposes and listening to addresses upon
practical topics, they might have at
tended without fear But supposing it
was to be the initial political move of
the Alliance, they were afraid to come,
for fear of being considered as partici-
pants in the new movement The atti-
tude of both political party leaders, so
1t seems TO the onlooker, is to encourage
the Alliance as far as possible, at the
expense of the enemy, Republicans,
for instance, look upon the Alliance in
politics as an admirable expression of
political independence, calculated to
prove of great benetis to the farmer---as
long as Democrats can be induced to
Join this new political army. That is
just the way the Democratic politicians
look at 1t, too, so long as its beauties can
be impressed upon the minds of RepuD-
lican voters.
And so 1t was that the politicians were
afraid to show themselves at yesterdays
gathering. The Republicans, in par
ticular, were conspicuous by their alb
sence. That eminent Granger, Repre-
sentative John G. Higgins, and his Re
publican colleagues of the last Legisla-
ture had been especially invited, while
at Rehoboth last week, but they failed
TO come to time. Henry W. Cannon
and j. Colby Smith were also absent.
There was also an absence, though not
so conspicuous, Of leading Democrats.
Representative John NJ. Eisenbrey, who,
though elected as Democrat, always
fought resolutely for the Grangers in
terests during the last session of the
Legislature, took leading part in
arranging for the meeting. Ex-Con-
gresham +. L. Martin of Seaford, who
Is Democrat from away back, but never
falters in any movement for the benefit
of the agricultural profession, was one
of the speakers. State Treasurer Wilbur
ii. Burnite, who lives nearby, came over
with pleasant words and CHEEKY greet
ings for his fellow-grangers. DIR. II. w
Hargadine, Feltons leading physician
who enlivens the tedious labor Of II busy
practice by indulging in natural taste
for affairs political, was an interested
III onlooker. So was Representative
John Harrington of Milford. John +
"a salisbury, looking more like Preacher
Wilson than ever and "out Of politics.
M ps usual, took run down from Dove
81 to see how the meeting turned out. This
Nj comprised the Democratic contingent
81 Surprise was expressed at the absenc,
of Clerk of the Peace a. ID. Cahall, who
was one of the first active Alliance mel
W in the State, being member OF MarshJ
W Aose branch, No. 2.
%aAT THE MEETING REALLY WAS.
n There is no doubt that many people
like the politicians, were dubious abou
the character of the meeting, and this, IL
a considerable extent accounted for thu
small attendance. BY reasonof fail
ure in the advertising arrangements thu
posters officially announcing the gather
ing were not printed until Saturday anC
could not be distributed in time to gen
orally mpart the correct information Il
to what the meeting was really intended
to be. 1t was, as advertised, simply
social gathering of the Kent Count,
Farmers Institute, to which the mem
bers of the oranges and alliances al
over the State had been cordially ant
.fraternally invited. Speakers from
distance had been asked to be present
/ among them President Polk of tn
~ National Alliance.
This was all. There was nothing
political intended In t1e moVcmen
from the first. But it scared the politi
clans and kept at home many farmer
vino do not believe in mixing up thei
farm affairs with politics and who other
wise would have been present.
THE EXERCISES IN THE GROVE.
The meeting assembled in the grow
about 11.30 o'clock. The weather wa
sultry, although threatening clouds OF
scured the hot rays of the sun. Thoma
B. Coursey of Spring Mills, who, despit
# his So years is hale and hearty and 4
deeply interested as ever in all that pei
tains to the welfare of his fellow-mal
was called upon to preside. He first il
troduced j. Alexander Fulton of Dove
who explained the unfortunate miscai
riage Of the plans for advertising, whic
had resulted in such misunderstandin
OF the object Of the meeting.
Professor Wesley @. Webb, presider
OF the State Colored College and editc
OF Farm and Home, was nextintroducet
lie spoke of the special market trai
over the Delaware railroad which hd
often been talked of but never startet
'faF VI.