The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-06-09

Gu0H parry anu S00A 1SA4OA W4UuA1 party
lines" What has been the response of
the Alliancemen of the South to this
appeal7 Have they done it? Have
they bolted party conventions and
party nominations9 If so, where and
when9 Where, in all the political his
tory of this country. have men shown
a more loyal devotion to party than
the Alliance voters of the South? Have
they not gone into party conventions,
and whether defeated or successful in
naming the nominees, stood faithfully
by the action of the convention? And
this, too, in many instances, under the
most trying and provoking surround
ings? Their principles and measures
were ridiculed and misr~epresented and
their leaders maligned and slandered
by the men and the party press,
which sought and claimed their allie
glance and cooperation. Instances,
conspicuous in the history Of the recent
past, are not wanting where some Of
these leaders AMI papers, who, when
out-voted in the conventions, ignored
and repudiated their agreement to
stand by the action of the convention,
and revolted and rebelled-bolted the
nominations because the Alliance was
strongest, and actually set up candi-
dates against those who had been
selected by their own chosen conven-
ton, thus establishing Independent
political action. How was it in Geor-
gia, in South Carolina, in our own
State? These matters are fresh in the
minds of the people. Does not every
intelligent man in the South know that
for every foot of ground gained and
held in the South to-day, by the ALI
ance, that we have had to fight for it
"inch by inch and at the muzzle of
the gun" against the same men and
papers which were and n constantly
%exhorting us to stand by the party ?
And how stands the matter today
The partisan press and would-be lead
ers are still arrayed against us, and
seek by every means to weaken and
defeat us. In the State of Mississippi,
no fercer or more relentless war was
ever waged against the Republican
party than is going on to-day against
the Alliance.
In the North and Northwest the
Alliance has had and is having this
Identical contest with the leaders and
papers of the Republican party. Well
may true, honest, patriotic Alliance
men stop and ask: Where are we,
and whittier are we going?"
They feel that they have been trifled
with; that they have been deceived;
that their confidence has been be-
trayed and their best interests ne
elected. They are distrustful of their
old party leaders and of the sincerity
or ability of the old parties to accom-
plish the reforms which they seek and
must have. Thousands and thousands
of men in North Carolina and through
out the South-men who have been
faithful to party, have about dispaired
of all hope and are seriously consider
ing the chances of relief and reform in
some other direction.
We are fully aware that these are
unpleasant, and to some, very I'M
wholesome truths, but from every con-
sideration of policy, of justice, of self
respect and of true manhood, the ALI
ance should tell them and demand that
this farce of friendship shall end.
How? 1t is for those who have been
playing it to answer The time for
dallying and evasion has passed, and
the farmers of the country should and
must know upon whom they a rely
as friends and allies.