The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-14
THE FARMERS AND POLITICS.


ton of our farmers TO form third party,
and act independently Of both Democrats ana
Republicans. If the agriculturisis OF the
country really expect to accomplish any per-
manept reforms they will make serious mis-
take by adopting any such course. There are
| and can be, only two permanent parties IN the
country. for the only lasting issues are those
winch from the foundation of the Republic
| have divided the people. On one side are to
be found those who favor Centralza-
| ton. Federalism, Paternity in the gen.
eral Government. and liberal construction
Of the United States Constitution. On
| the other are the advocates Of State sover-
eionty. strict construction. and allowing the
central government no more power than IS
absolutely necessary for the general good OF
ALL These differences of opinion form the
basis principles Of parties in the United
States. and whether the advocates OF the cen
trail idea are called Federals, Wings. Know
Nothlngs. Republicans, or what not. they
ALWAYS have been. and always will be. OPP
posed bv those who believe in the teachings
and doctrines of tho Democrahc-Republlcan
party of former years and the Democracy oil
to-day.
Unless the farmers Of the United States,
then. are satisfied with the formation OF an
ephemcral political organization, which can
expect TO enjoy but a brief period Of exist
ence, and make only temporary squirt Of re-
form. they must necessarily ally themselves
with one or the other of the two great perma-
nent parties or the country, and the vital
question for them 10 decide is which shall
il ben They have thoroughly tried the Re
| nublicars. the Western farmers having
for years and years, despite protest
after protest, and warning after warning,
cast their fortunes with that party,and the re-
suit has been that they have found 1t badly
wanting. All they have gotten for their ale
glance and loyalty is the Mckinley tariff law,
| which levies heavy tribute upon them for the
| enrichment Of the protected manufacturer
and they SEQ themselves bound hand and foot
with the letters of monopoly. They also see
| their section subordnated IN every way to the
whins. caprices and interest of the East.
and that they have really been made hewers
| If wood and drawers of water to that highly
favored section.
Opposed to this the Democratic party has
steadily shown itself the farmers friend, to-
tally opposed 10 class legislation IN every
form, and ever ready and anxious to concede
TO all sections ANYTHING consistent with good
government. It has always been in1eMbly
antagonistic to legislation for the few Mt the
expense Of the many. 1t has never swerved,
even in the face Of defeat and adversely, from
lis NAHUM Of "the greatest good to the
greast number" and although its words Of
warning have been UNDECIDED by the farmers
of all section except of the South, II has never
abated one jot or title Of its established
principles
"The campaign of education" inaugurated
by President Cleveland, together with the
injurious sectional and class legislation Of the
Fiftv-frst Congress. at last opened the eyes of
the masses Of our people everywhere to the
iniquities of Radicalism, and they manifested
their displeasure last November by the over
whelnning victory they brought 70 the
Democracy. And now that our farmers are in
the house of their friends, Will it not be best
forthem 10 stay there? The wisest Of the leaders
Of the farmers prefer 10 work through the old
parties believing they can, by that policy, &C
complish reform quicker than through the
doubtful experiment of a new organization.
As contemporary well says: "The reversal
Of Engand's financial policy, in the time Of
Sir Robert Peel. was accomplished by an old
party. which the agitators had brought up TO
the point by much pressure; and the abolition
of slavery in this country was effected by an
old party worked upon by the abohtionists.
That issue being dead. the old
hereditary party of Capitalization re-
mains in opposition TO the Democratic
party. which labors to preserve the due bal
ance of powers. New issues come and go
and are settled by the old parties, whose per-
manency is due to the perpetual strife be
tween centrifugal and centrpetal forces.
The old parties are here TO stay, whether un-
der the present name or others, for the same
two opposing forces inhere in the Constitution.
In considering reforms, therefore, the Farm
ers' Alliance does well to use the means that
are already created.