The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-26
INGALLS, ON TEE ALLIANCE.

Ex-senator Ingalls, seems disposed
to take q nervous view Of the
strength and prospects Of the Farm
ers' Alliance. Because Il prevented
his reelection, he appears 10 think
that Il IL peculiarly formidable and
dangerous political force. He COM
pares Il to the free-soil agitation
which swept over the country from
1855 to 1880, aud InferentIslly pre-
diets that II may decide the next
Presidential election. We are bound
to believe that he Is sincere, but It 10
difficult 10 understand where he finds
the facts 10 justify his fears. The
lest information that we have con-
corning the Alliance 10 to the effect
that 10 IL losing rather than gaining
popularity and power. II IL surely
not as strong to-day In Kansas ~ II
was last November. The course
pursued by its Representatives ln the
Legislature OF that State has not
given satisfaction, but, on the con-
trary, has provoked gene<al and
severe criticism, because Of the In
jury done to the credit and prosperi-
~ Of all business Interests. IL has
not won any increased favor In I'LL
nOis, where Its champions have be-
trayed q sacred trust and made
themselves instruments Of convent
eDce to the Democratic party. There
IL no State In which q IL making
converts as fast as they are leaving
Il. The limit (. or It's growth
reached was reached In the last cleo
ton, and Its career since that time
has had q Perceptibly weakening
effect upon its chances Of perma-
nenee and progress.
II Is unreasonable to liken such Q
movement to the popular uprising
which led to the Republican victory
OF 1850. The points Of resemblance
are purely imaginary. In the case
OF the antj-slavery crusade there
was q great moral principle at stake,
and the public conscience was
aroused by the eneroachments Of o
monstruus national evil. There II
nothing Of that kind In the Alliance
agitation. IL does not involve any
issue that IL calculated TO stir the
blood az patriots or to excite the
indignation Of the masses.
The results that Il seeks to accom-
plIsh are OF q strictly material char
aeter. II pertains entirely to ques-
lions Of class privilege and adyau-
Lsge, and does not offer any oppor-
unity for the sort Of enthusiasm
that brought about the first election
Df Lincoln. The platform Of doc
.rines and demands which it has
put forth Is tumble Of iucoherent
md inpractieable theories, which do
not deserve serious consideration,
Ind which, IL adopted, would do In
mite harm to all industrial agencies
Iud interests, including that Of agrl-
cultural. An organization COM
nltted to such extrsvagant and
antestic notions OF reform IL . very
llfFerent thing from the one which
the aggresslons Of the
lave power and resisted the exten.
ion Of an institution that was the
'esetting and surprising curse Of the
The Alliance IL simply Q
assIng freak, without any stable
or any element Of assured
itality. Mr.. ingalls, need not lie
wake Of Night TO worry its future
peratIon. II will gradually subside,
iter the fashion OF preceding move-
rents Of the same superficial and n.
,gical nature, and the nomal con-
ltIon OF things will be restored In
ne order and season. Globe Demo
rat.