The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-24

West Virginia Farmers and the Alliance.
Our information is that there is no lit
lie activity going on In this State at this
time in the matter Of organizing far
mers' associations under the auspices Of
the National Alliance. One gentleman
writes to q friend Of his in Wheeling
that he has Joined, as the farmers OF his
neighborhood are generally doing, and
that among the obligations which hebas
t.ken on himself Is one to support such
candidates for Office, national, State and
lo:al, as the organization may put for
wrd.
ouriously enough, our farmer friend,
after having already joined, seeks adj
vice Of his correspondent here as to bis
opinion whether he has done right or
not. He himself seems to doubt whether
he has done wisely, and he seeks to be
confirmed one way or the other.
Now, Notwithstanding this matter has
been brought to the information and at
tention Of the IHTELLIGENcER, we do not
on that account feel disposed to wade
into the arena and offer advice on this
subject to our farmer readers and friends
throughout the State, except in the most
general way.
The INrELLIoENcER has always be-
lisyed in farmers' associations, always
encouraged them, and regards them as
u ,eiul and indispensable to the best iu-
ter ats Of the farmer. As a class, the
farmers do not come together often
enough. They need to compare notes
frequently in regard to all matters that
appertain to their interests.
This thing however OF taking upon
ones self solemn obligations in the mat
ter Of the exercise of the elective fran
chise issomethipg different. In fact, it
is a very serious matter for any man to
contemplate. This is free country and
a voter is supposed to be free man. He
ought not, on general principles, ever to
place himself in position where he
cannot have control OF his own vote. II
a citizen does not control his own vote
what does he control? And what is
his freemauship or citizenship worth il
somebody else controls his voter
The principles Of party, no matter
how constituted, ought to be of such
char scter-so fair, Just and salutary-
that every man, inside or outside oftheor-
ganization, can upon his judgment, after
discussion, support the candidates repre-
senting said principles. He ought not
to feel constrained in doing this.
The farmers Of the United States are
the largest element in the country.
There is no difficulty about their rights
and interests OF whatsoever character.
They control or can control every state
in the Union. They can make just
such laws as suit them all over the
United States. They can elect large
majority Of Congressman. They can
aud do get ample aud fair protection for
all their interests from the general gov.
eminent. They have special depart
ment OF the government and represen-
tative farmer at the head Of it, and he is
widely known for his activity and inhu'
ence on their behalf.
What more, We ask, can be done for
the farmerH The effort Of the politician
Is to make him discontinued, we know.
This is always the case. Every mishap
OF the farmer, down to the weather, is
laid on the party in power. II his crops
de not bring full price, it is the fault of
legislation, Of course. II money is hard
to borrow. It is because we need vastly
more money. We need also special leg.
lation, such as the government ware
house" scheme, and the real estate
mortgage scheme at one per cent inter.
est.
An attempt is to be made to rally the
farmers OF the land on schemes Of this
character In the elections next year.
We think 1t is grave time for farmer
to sign away his free agency. We trust
that the majority of them will think
several times before they do it, and not
first enter into the obligation and then
begin to brood over it and to inquire
whether they have done right or not.