The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-06
Causes Of the Farmers, Complaint.

Causes. of the Farmers Complaint.
Should the agricultural element decide to
altogether Withdraw from both of the
established political parties there is no
question but that those parties would suffer
a surprising loss of strength, and there
would be a general feeling of alarm among
/ the politicians. There is no need TO depre-
[ cate the volume and influence Of that vote.
/ IL is simply enormous. Which Of the two
| parties would be the greater sufferer is
! difficult 10 determine. In some parts Of
the country one, aud in other parts the
other. party would be the more weakened.
In the south the strength of the Democratic
party would be greatly reduced. For, while
there are many negro elllancemeo, the
negro does not take kindly to the farmers
alliance. Possibly some lingering memories
Of that mythical forty acres-aad- a~mule'
disappointment may cause him to view
with suspicion the promised ideal pecuniary
arrangements that are located in the
indefinite future. 50 he would be likely 20
continue voting the straight republican
ticket, which would by a division Of the
democrats, be placed in the majority.
In the New England and middle aud
western states such a movement would
draw its strength almost entirely from the
republican ranks, because the manufact-
uring centers are generally largely demo-
cratic except in Pennsylvania and Rhode
Island, where a system of espionage and
covert coercion is praciced.
There is no question but that the farmers
I, flr I'D
epublican administration every industrial
interest has suffered. But the farmers
causes for complaint are not what
are represented to them by the
demagogues who generally set them
selves up as leaders. Nor are the
farmers pursuing the best course to secure
speedy remedy. Instead of starting out
upon new crusade headed by men who
have proven themselves failures in the
established political parties, where they
were RELOCATED to obscurity, and arraying
themselves against their old associates,
they should stick to the established party
organization that has come nearest to
giving them the relief they need,
and redouble their exertions to de-
feat the party that has brought
upon them the distress Of which
they complain. As an important element
of party strength the farmers could easily
secure careful consideration Of any COM
plant or proposition they might choose
to make within the party. II they cannot
command sufficient strength to carry their
point there how can they expect to win in
an unorganized fight against the partyl
True they may carry few local districts
in which they have virtually no opposition.
But in the general result they must fall far
short Of benefting themselves at all while
they draw from the PARTY just enough
strength to render it powerleSs to aid them.
Democratic farmers can best secure the
desired relief by advocating their ideas
within the Democratic party and then
abiding by the result aud going to the polls
with their party. Republican farmers who
feel the burden Of oppressive legislation by
the party they have SO long affiliated with
would pursue the most rational course by
voting with the democrats to turn out Of
power the party Of extravaganza and ex-
orbitant taxation.