New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-02
THE FARMERS AND THE ALLIANCE.

The farmers and others who formed the So
called Peoples party adopted definite plat
form, which the farmers of Ohio in convention
haze ropudiated, also refusing by close vote
to put up an Independent ticket in that State.
Since this untoward event cloud has come
over the prospects Of the Third party enthusi
asts, and their medtations have been tinged
with sadness 1t is natural that some of them
in their vexation at the miscarriage of their
plans attribute the decision of the Ohio farm
ers to the influence of that bad man Mckinley.
Ii would have been more sensible had they
considered that the crazy platform adopted by
the Cincinnati Convention was enough to warn
practical farmers to keep away from the move
ment, for while at least. What they mean
to do in the end the farmers of Ohio are able
to tell when they choose. But their reputation
of the Alliance platform reveals so radical
separation in opinion and purpose that refusal
to join in Third-par movement was the only
logical course for them.
Predictions about such popular movements
are always unsafe When a set of men have
become such fanatics that they can go into a
delirium of JOY over the adoption of platform
like that of the Cincinnati Convention, their
conduct cannot be judged by the Influences
which would govern men of common-sense.
The frantic part of the movement, it is plain
enough, is sufficiently frantic to 60 on, though
the utter absurdity and absolute hopelessness
of their movement were demonstrated even to
their satisfaction. Men in that state do not
reason or Judge, and they are quite as likely
to do the most foolish and suicidal thing as any
other. But the great body of farmers at the
West are not OF that sort. They are men of
sober commOn-sense, unless the past has strange
ly miSrepresented them. They are apt to be
governed by the reasons which would influence
other men of ordinary sanity. 1t is therefore
probable that some differences can now be drawn
with safety. not regarding the course of the
movement of the frenzied few, but as to the
extent of cooperation they will have from the
rational many.
1t is just here that political performances of
this kind usually ruin themselves and those
who engage in them Getting hotheaded and
lightheaded, the managers or leaders rush for
ward with their own notions, ignoring or for
getting the temper and thoughts of the vast
body of voters upon whom they must depend
for success. When they have shouted them
selves hOarse, and sung all the old parties into
their grave, they cool off enough to discover
that they have completely separated themselves
from the sane portion of mankind. If the AL
lance leaders have gone further than sane farm
ers will 60, the movement will stop moving
The Ohio Convention of Farmers has given
one indication that this is the fact. II is part
of the published records Of the Cincinnati
gathering that it's leaders declared their GER
tainty that the Ohio farmers would follow them
the next week with a whOop." But there was
no whoOp, and no following, and the widest
of the fanatics now have only this to say, that
they will presently get up another convention
of Ohio farmers, in which the minority of the
former convention shall express It's views and