New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-28
THE NEW MOrEMENT IND ITS AIMS.

There are men who look to the Farmers AL
lance as the beginning of new era. surely
the convention is beautiful, and even grand
/ abor itself comes to the front. It's will Is to
bo rcspected The few are not to have their
own way, but the millions. 1t VIII make ms
fakes. this new force, but will learn. For fool
ish measures at first it will soon substitute wiser
Dim and vague in purposes as yet, TINS force
will soon acquire clearer aims, and know now
10 find the right means. What dream could be
more attractive to him who knows that only as
the people really govern themselves VIII 'hey
he well governed 1t is less new than bcauti-
ful. however, The Changers OF nearly twenty
wears ago had as bright hope as the Farmers
Alliance has now It's results were neither
beneficial TO the farmers themselves nor to the
country. The labor organizations have pro-
posed much. but in political effort they have
done little for themselves or their country. But
evcry child must totter before it can walk, ana
the question is whether the producers have al
last begun to walk.
The first steps of this new force are not en-
couraging Want of wisdom in methods must
not he unchamtably criticised, but II the ends
sought arc not for the public good nor Tor the
pcrmanent good of the farmers themselves what
can be said? The ends sought, judging from
declarations and endeavOrs thus FAR, appear 10
be in substance these: More money, so abun-
dant that it shall nowhere command high rate
of interest even in new and growing states
loans either on land or on crops, so that the
farmer NAV always be indifferent to the market
demand for his products, and able to mortgage
4 no rnspS tmn moro
than the world can consume; cheaper trans
portation. even on railroads that cannot now
earn interest on their cost: poorer security for
lenders on mortgage, particularly where there
is most need OF borrowed capital; hostility
10 combinations OF capital, even where
they cheaper things for all the people. But
these are only crude first steps, 1t will fairly
be said. IF the producers stand together may
not wiser mea ,urcS cine? That depends upon
the motive with which hey stand together. II
that motive is essentially self seeking, without
regard TO the pubic welfare there is not much
hone that better leaders and better plans Will
come with lapse OF time. Demago2ues who
have no scrupleS vii! swarm about such an ef-
fort as flies about sugar But sincere and high
minded men. who seek in all political efforts the
not be easily attracted
The root of the farmers movement, as it has
thus far appeared, does not seem unsefSh or
broad or patriotic. II is essentially the effort
of a class for its own advantage. II urges free
coinage, but. rs leaders OF the Alliance frankly
say. only because that j. a step toward issues
of currency based on nothing. The dominant
idea at the North as we'll as at the South is 70
get Government TO issue and lend cheap money
10 farmers, either on lands or on products.
Whether money thus made cheap would benefit
the country, whether it would bring vast dis
asters upon the millions does not really seem
TO have been considered a; all, but only whether
the plan will help farmers who are in debt. II
is not easy to see how a movement starting with
such narrow aims can broaden into a party Of
National spirit and principles. II 1t can, every
good citizen will rejoice in the development of
a more active and intelligent interest in public
affairs among 4 great body Of producers. But
this movement sorcly needs before many days
to lift it's eyes beyond the narrow objects OF
class advantage, upon which its leaders seem 10
have fixed their attention, and to modify it'
purposes in harmony with the interests of the
Nation