New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-17
THE alliance CONTENTION.

About wear ago the land was ringing with
Democratic boasts and congratulations. really
wonderful victory had given the Democrats con-
troll of the Congressional delegation from two
thirds of the safes. With the aid OF the ALI
ance that party would certainly throw the next
Presidential election into the House II 1t 1alled
to elect Democratic President by the people,
and in the House the election OF Democrat
was made certain. The leaders who had cum
ningly devised and carefully fostered the ALI
ance with intent TO break the Republican vote
at the West. were thought amazingly bright
men. But it sometimes happens that political
trick carries its only deadly sting in its tail.
The tabled farmer who warmed serpent IN
his bosom only to be stung to death may nave
his successors when the accounts between inc
Alliance and the Democratic party are finally
closed. The new organization did the Repub-
leans great deal of mischief last year, but was
peaceful and innocuous in Democratic States, on
the ground that Democrats had promised 10 90
all II wanted, and it would wait and see. The
Democrats have 50 great majority in the House
that they can do what they please, but will they
satisfy the Alliance?
If they vote for the Sub-Treasury plan, the
free coinage of silver, or National control of
railroads and telegraphs, they will sacrifice votes
in close Northern States where they have no
strength to spare. In the Northwest the ALI
ance is gaining nothing, but has lost most OF ITS
members. Even in the tidal wave Of last No
vember the Republicans had puralities in iowa,
Kansas and Minnesota, and this year have re-
covered Ohio, Nebraska, their popular majority
and the Legislature in South Dakota, and made
it clear that in Iowa they have majority on
National issues Ohio shows how Indiana may
be expected to 90. A little fooling with the
Alliance in legislation this winter will cost tho
Democrats more than the few hundred votes
necessary to make Connecticut safely Repub-
lican and more than enough to place New-lork
safely in the Republican column. But if the
Democrats reject Alliance demands, what have
thew to expect? Alliance tickets in few
Southern States next year would be quite
serious matter Judging from the latest full
votes in the Presidential election of 1888 less
than 900 votes diverted from the Democrats
to an Alliance ticket would make West Virginia
Republican, less than 1000 would do the same
for Virginia, less than 1000 would do the same
for Delaware and as many for Florida, and only
$4,000 would be needed in North Carolina, and
10000 in Tennessee. The loss of any one OF
these States would defeat the Democratic can
didsoe for President, unless he should carry other
Northern States than the four that Democrats
now hope to carry, New York, New-Jersey, Con-
nectcut and Indiana.
The Alliance leaders at the South are exceed
ingly outSpoken in their threats. The bitter
controversies during the last year have stirred
up much bad blood, and made some ambitious
men desperate and reckless. If the Alliance
leaders find they have been befooled and are to
be contemptuoSly cast aside, they have fol-
lowing enough at the South to make resistance
or revenge easy and certain. If they set up
Third party tickets in only few of the States
and concentrate their efforts on these they will
make the chances of Democratic success exceed
ingly remote, for their supporters number IN
Southern States many Democrats for every he
publican. A fusion between the Alliance and
the Republicans Oh the basis OF division OF the
electoral vote will be no more difficult to make
in some Southern States than it has been III
Minnesota, between the Alliance and the Dem
ocrats, or was years ago between the Greenback
party and the Democrats in Michigan. But with
out any sort of cooperation the running OF
Peoples party ticket would suffice to turn some
Of the Southern States. IL is this danger that
Democrats are now considering in view OF the
probable nomination of Mr. Cleveland, who is
intensely hated by most of the Alliance leaders.
His personal influence will be felt in the next
House. and it will be strange if he is not much
more hated still before the time comes for an
other nomination. He will want to save chance
of carrying his own State, and knows how the
support of Alliance measures by Democrats in
Congress would affect that chance. Mr.. Vest
has suggested the argument to be used "Give
Democrats power first and then we will settle
the money question as we please" But perhaps
the Alliance of the South may not wish to sell
IL l.