Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-31
DEMOCRATS, DO NOT DIVIDE.
A Talk About EAe Farmers Ailiances-The
Reilrsad Bill.
To ne Editor of he Dispatch:

To ne Editor of he Dispatch:
see il stated In several quarters that
the Farmers Alliance party in this state
will most probably make an efort TO elect
none but members of their own order 10
the next Legislature. one OF Their leadlng
objects being to have more stringent
Railroad COMMISSIONS law passed at the
NEXT session. 1t is true that tho leaders
saw they will make the issue INSIDE the
Democratic party" and will be conserVa-
tive in their plan of action. But Will not
snch a movement on the part or the Al
lance be unwise and unfortunate, and
much TO be deprecated in more respects
Let us calmly argue the question for q
momen. with our Alliance friends, -,
In the frat place. IS there any plausible
reason why we should seno none put isInl-
ers TO the Legislature to make our laws
and dictate the policy Of our government?
They may all be very good farmers and
Northumberland men, but how many OF
than would probably know how best TO
draw our laws and shape legislatlonI IL
takes very wise and experienced lawyers
TO properly do these things, and frequently
many of them miss the strict line and con-
stitutiopality of the case In hand. besides,
are there. no people or classes IN NlrplnlA
Int the farmers that deserve 70 be repre-
sented in the Legislature and help make
our laws? And has any one class or occu-
nation the right to monopolize the whole
renresentatiye body of the State or is any
one oftthem so much sggrieyed OF oppress-
ed that they should assume the whole law
making power Of the Legislature and die
tate its whole policy? These are serious
and pertinent questions, blr. Editor, ana
think should demand the honest consioe-
ration of our people:
.& In ha naTf nlQfA Will IL NOT De eA-
tremely unwise and dangerous for our peo-
nile at this time 10 raise any new or con-
tentious question calculated to divide and
distract the voters at the polls next Noyem-
herr At present there il really only one
party in the State and that is the Demo-
cratic party. There IS no present, pro-
liability that there will be . new or old or
ganizasion unless we divide among our
selves on some new and distracting cues
tion. II was out Of the old State debt or
reimbursement question that sprang into
existence the old Malone party and handed
| The State over TO Republican rule Tor
some wears TO our sorrow and damage:
| Will IL net be the extreme OF folly and
ra.hness for us to again divide among
| ourselves when everything Is now quiet
and serene along the lines OF our partyf
| Our old enemies are not dead but only
| sleepeth. They are only powerless at
present but are watching with lynx-eye.
for loop-hole through which they. may
| again leap INTO power with their colored
troops 10 back them. Viii not there be
| both wisdom and prudence on tho part OF
the Democratic party in the fall To- noIni-
| nate their best and safest men for the
Leeislature without reference to any par.
ticuIar class OF interest, and without
springing any new or dividing issue upon
the people? There can be, no rational
4 - - lo.,t tntpda IN fhfo ,naettnp
and every Democrat and good citizen
should pause and seriously consider itl
grave import.
But. again: Leaving out of consideration
the question OF wisdom and policy, JUS
discussed, Is there any plausible. reason a
this time why any new system OF railroad
ing should be adopted IN our Slater w