The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-09
Conc to Meet tho Changers.

There was an apparent collapse OF the
Farmers Alliance party on Tuesday last In
those Western States where 1t proved
to be particularly strong at last years
elections. The showing made by the
Peoples party. which the Cincinnati
Convention of May last organized to
succeed the Alliance party In the other
States. was ridiculously poor. These in
cidents recall the fact that 1t has become
an established thing In American politics
for an independent movement to take sud-
don root and enlist earnest following In
every national Congress contest occurring
midway between Presidential elections. It
is neither strange nor odd that the preten-
tious and seemingly formidable movement
Of the Alliance party should end abruptly
in disaster this year.
In the Congress elections OF 1874 the sur
prise of the year was furnished by what was
known as the Granger movement, which
took a strong hold in the farming districts
Of the West and Northwest, overturned
Legislatures and statesmen, and for time
bid fair to transform the politics Of the
country. The Granger movement cul-
minated in disaster before the Presidential
election Of 1876, two years later. and exer-
| contest.
Again. In 1878. the Greenback movement
which originated at the Toledo Convention
swept with great flerceness throughout the
country. securing for its candidates In the
| contest Of that year 81. 900 votes In Pennsyl-
vania. $4,000 in New York. an equal number
In Michigan, 10000 in Missouri. 10000 each
in Maine. Indiana. and Ohio. and more than
$4,000 each in Kansas. Wisconsin. and New
Jersey. But before the Presidential cleo
ton Of 1880 the wave Of Greenback disaffec-
ton had almost entirely subsidized. and
Greenback issues and Greenback claims cut
no figure in that contest.
| Still again. in 1882. there was an enormous.
impressive. and misleading dissHection OF
Independents. Voters were led out Of the
| Republican camp by Republican statesmen.
| imperilling Republican supremacy In the
chief States Of the country. But In 1884
the tide had subsidized. and again the battle
was waged upon the normal. familiar. and
unchanging party lines.
In more recent recollection there was. In
1885. the great labor uprising which
threatened Democratic supremacy in all Its
| strongholds. slapped the foundations Of
Democratic strength In the big cities. and
promised for time to prove o political
earthquake Of almost terrifying proportions.
But the Congress elections Of 1885 over. the
| Labor party lsnguished. and by 1888 there
was no longer much trace Of 1t.
| Once again. in 1890. the Alliance OF farm
ers rose to political prominence In the West.
Its leaders were encouraged with the sur
prising showing made. and with which poor
crops had more to do than politics. They
were emboldened to define at Ocala their
views. and afterward to organize In Cncin-
natl In May the so-called Peoples party In
support Of them. This year. as we have
seen. the independent tide has once again
receded. leaving the two old parties face to
face as before.
| In considering this political phenomenon
1t Is to be remembered. first. that these in
| dependent movements take place OF regular
intervals Of four years; and. secondly. that
they always manifest themselves In the
Congress elections held In those years In
which no President Is to DO chosen. The
protest they present Ia always against the
party In national power. and, as for exam
pie. against the Republicans In 1874. 1878.
1882. 1880. and against the Democracy In
1886. Formidable at first. they Invariably
spend themselves before the lines close for
tho Presidential battle. It has been 30 In
tho past. 1t Is 30 again this year.