Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-04
THURSDAY. JUNE 4. 1891
The Third Party-Again.

We did not attempt 10 beittle the I'm
cinnati Convention whilstit was in session,
nor have we attempted to magnify it now
that IL seems TO some persons 20 be
threatening tho stability and integrity of
the two old parties. The demonstration
made in North Carolina in favor Of the
third party has surprised, not TO say
alarmed. some of the headers of the parties
previously In existence. We are sorry to
see the newspaper organ of the North
Carolina alliances engaged in the work OF
slisintegrating the old Democratic party,
but we are not inclined to the opinion that
che people of the Old North State are going
60 follow that lead. When we stated some
time ago that MIR. VANCE had been COM
PEELED, in order 70 secure reelection TO the
United States Senate, 10 promise TO sup
port the sub-Treasury scheme OF the fat
money lunstics, North Carolina paper in
formed us that we were mistaken. but we
have never been satisfied that the dis
tinguished North Carolina Senator is per-
fectly free to vote as he pleases on Alliance
questions.
That there is a condition of restlessness
among the people is evident. That it will
continue until some satisfactory reason is
found for its existence, and some remedy,
qusck or other, is found for its cure, we do
not doubt. We trust, though, that all con-
cerned will concur in postponing the at
tempt 10 disintegrate the Democratic
party in the northern States until after
the next presidential election. II would
be pity 10 fail TO set the South free now
that she is so near that blessing, or at least
seems to be. We of this section have tolled
for many years in the work of setting her
upon her feet once more. and cannot hear
without regret Of any attempt to risk oil
the hopes Of the present and the promises
of the future upon the chance of eleoting
n President Of the United States in 1892
pledged 10 the support of the leading mea-
sures Of the new third party recently or
Vanized in Cincinnati. There are several
Slanks of the Cincinnati platform upon
which all good Democrats can stand-the
free coinage of silver, railroad legislation,
equitable taxation, &C., &C.; but the Dem
ocratic party as party cannot afford TO
bring itself under the ruins of the sub
Treasury scheme.
The New York Herald has observed the
condition Of unrest amongst the people to
which we have several times made re-
ference. One of that papers articles on
this subject is worthy of being read by all
thoughtful people. We quote from it as
follows:
ave may grumble about the third party to our
hearts content, but there II is.
"The part which II may play In the next cam
paign will not, perhaps, be important; but the
fact that IL had its origin In the restlessness and
discontent Of farmers and workingmen is very
important
"The tIllers Of the soil In the South and the
Northwest have feeling that they have not
been sQuarely dealt with. ST the country they
say, lis so tremendously prosperous as our ora
tors are constantly declaring 1t TO be, why in the
world are we compelled 10 mortgage our farms?
II our manufactures are booming, If business Is
90 brisk and profitable that a man can count his
money by millions, why can't we, who work from
eunrse till after dark, manage 70 make both
ends meet? There must be q screw loose some
where
"And it's that loose screw, or rather the hope
b. find and tighten It, which gave rise 10 this
third party.
"The wage-earners are also disgruntied. IL
YOU say II Is their chronic condition, then all the
worse for the system which makes II chronic.
There never was time In the history Of the
world when 80 much profound thinking was done
by the workingmen as now. 1t Is the tendency
OF a republic 20 make them think, for they have
votes 10 cast and public policies TO approve or
oppose. They don't quite know what the matter
Is, and so they strike in the dark and three quar-
fers Of the time hit nothing They are only
sure Of one thing-that there is something some
where which ought to be hit, and hit hard, II
they can only find out what and where II Is"
The Herald seems to be willing to stir up
strife. Nevertheless what it says is, we re-
peat, worthy of perusal and consideration.
One of the most notable things that we
nave observed is that these workingmen
who have. so the Herald affirms, learned as
voters to study social problems are asking
now whether the fact that one man has
superior mental strength to another en-
titles HIM TO use that strength to the in
fury Of his neighbors and the promotion of
his own fortunes? Or if it does, Is the
man of superior physical strength entitled
90 employ his physical strength in like
manner? These are dangerous questions.
There is mischief in the man who raises
such questions among the working CLASSES.
But they naturally follow such queries as
those Of the Herald, which, as we have said,
seems to be willing to stir up strife.