The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-07-03
Friday, July 3, 1891.
The Alliance Not Understood.

- AAO SAAAAssAN0 @sOU 0AA~@~%SSCSS~'
The aims and scope of the Farmers AL
lance in its several associations and which
separate branches are fast consolidating in
one National body, are but dimly under
stood by the general public, who have been
misled by the daily papers, either through
design or ignorance on the part of their
editors. The general impression with out
side parties is that the Alliance is kind Of
farmers political party which will make
nominations, and if those candidates fail Of
election, will speedily dissolve and be heard
of no more that they. the farmers, have
some crude ideas about laws of finance and
other economic questions, which are undi-
gested and chaotic, which if attempted 10 be
put into practice would utterly fail to work.
The monopoly press Of the cities have been
industrious to spread this belief among the
people and create prejudice if possible
against the Alliance. Many intelligent
farmers who draw all their Information
from the daily press and flatter themselves
that they are well posted on public matters,
are the dupes Of this transformation.
The Alliance is in no sense political
party, but cooperative brotherhood, in
which all political parties are treated with
impartiality, or rather not considered at all,
but in which all economic questions are re-
ceiving seaching examination without
respect to what party may support them.
The Alliance has an order of business which
is followed in its meetings which never
varies, and insures its work and proceed
ings TO be uniform, and moving toward the
same point throughout the country. Polit-
ical affairs are closely scanned and the true
inwardness of every measure transmitted TO
the whole organization from National, or
supreme council down to every surveillance
in the country, divest of all party favorit-
ism each measure being examined and
discussed wholly on its merits, without a
thought of its being party measure. By
this means members get true knowledge
of public affairs, and are enabled to form an
opinion which gives them an independence
of thought and individuality which haye
been heretofore unknown to the masses of
the people who have been dominated by a
party bigotry which was little Better than
state of moral and political servitude. With
clearer knowledge of public questions
comes independence Of assertion and intel
ligent voting.
While the masses, and especially the
farmers, could be kept in this condition of
moral and political slavery, the tariff was
rung in on them and the congress and party
papers kept up such din that nothing else
was thought of or talked about. This gave
the monopolies and money ring every OPP
portunity 10 secure such laws as they de-
sired and the consequence is that they have
pretty nearly succeeded in robbing the
producing classes into state of dependence
and poverty. This condition of affairs is
about to be changed and it is the work which
the farmer associations are addressing
themselves 10.
In addition to the investigation and dis
cussion of economic questions, the CONNER
cial features of the Alliance, Grange and
other industrial organizations are extending
their benefits and power steadily. Last
year the Alliance alone bought SIC, 600, 900
worth Of goods through their agencies, and
other associations are doing as much in this
respect. One of the Oranges in this county
did business to the amount of $4,000 at a
saving to its members of $500.
Reverses or successes of political parties
can have little or no effect on the contin-
uence of the Alliance. 1t will continue to
enlarge the scope of its usefulness and gain
in power and influence throughout the
country. Its mission is to undo the mis-
chief that class legislation has wrought, and
have laws passed that will stop fayoritism
TO the money and monopoly classes in fact
work their utter downfall and make 1t i'm.
possible for the system Of legal robbery 10 be
pursued, which has over-ridden individual
rights for the last 80 years, by placing the
corporation above the citizen and turning
oyer the financial prerogatives of govern.
ment to the control of banking and stock
gambling class.
The great and over reaching reform
which predominates and eclipses all other.
is reform in The financial system. Th,
system by which the monarchical and aris-
tocratic classes have robbed the producing
classes of the old world has been engraitee
on our republican system and has worked
more disastrously here than in its naliv,
countries. Our American system of govern
ment is purely cooperative in It's genius
and should be made harmonious In all ii
parts. This cooperation should extend t,
its financial and other systems, as we'll as il
law making. Money and labor are insep
arably connected, and when privileged
class is given entire control of the finance
of the country that class becomes virlua
masters of the producing class. This is now
and always has been the disadvantage pro
ductiye industry has labored under, and III,
power Of the money class was increased
tenfold by the national banking system
which has existed since 1868. The govern
ment of the people should be the people,
banker, and the interest which one portion
of the industrial classes pays for the use o
money they are compelled 10 borrow, should
go back into the treasury as a common funG
10 help pay the expenses of government
This would break up the robbery of nsury
which is called INTEREST," This is the grea
aud all controlling question Of the times
and no political party juggling can sid,
track it. The farmer organizations and
labor unions are forming on this line anC
the coAict is but just begun.