The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-06
INDEPENDENT ALLIANCE PARTY.

There is plainly disposition on the part OF
the Farmers Alliance in many parts Of the
State to act Independently of both the Demo
cratic and the Republican parties. This was
clearly illustrated q few weeks ago in the in
stance Of the branch Of the Alliance that Is
established in Mecklenburg county, which
proposed that candidates for the county
Offices should be nominated by a convention
Of delegates selected 10y primary meetings IN
which all voters should be invited 70 pariici-
pate. irrespective of their previous party
affiliations.
This was virtually a discardal on the part Of
the Democratic members of the Alliance in
Mecklenburg of their party allegiance under
circumstances Of vital importance to the H.
terests of that county-namely. the election OF
local officers. The motive was obvious. The
Democratic members Of the local Alliance
were so anxious 10 advance the prospects Of
The Alliance candidates that they were willing
10 overlook the political leanings Of all voters
If they would only support these candidates.
IN doing this they practically ignored the
Democratic party. which WAS tantamount to
announcing their independence of it.
The motive that influenced the Alliance in
Mecklcnburg county has also shaped its
course in other counties, and is likely to be
observed on a still broader scale here
after. In other words. the Alliance organiza-
ton in many parts Of Virginia has evidently
decided that although its membership is COM
posed 10 an overwhelming extent, Of Demo
...t. Of l. ha
best subserved by relying exclusively upon It's
own membership Republican and Demo
cratic. to carry out its objects 50 far a. these
objects involve tenure OF political Offices
II the policy inaugurated in Mecklenburg is
adopted in every county in tho State It can
have but one signifcance-the formation of a
distinct political organization, drawing the
greater proportion of us strength from the
Democratic party, but very considerable
proportion also from the Republican 4 gem
eral Inauguration of such policy would be
certain in the end TO be injurious TO the pros
poets Of the Alliance. There is not an object
which it, members have in view which they
cannot fully secure by remaining true to their
Democratic allegiance. County Offices. State
offices. are all at their disposal if they have
the necessary numerical preponderauce in
their favor
There is no need Of their discarding the
Democracy and acting upon line of conduct
planned in secret. The Democracy, which IS
the people, and :he people Of this Common
wealth belong Overwhelmingly to the farming
classes, are prepared to assent to every just
and reasonable demand, more could not DO
asked Of (which is advanced by the Alliance
The Democratic party in Virginia is as ready
as the Democratic party in Georgia or Ten
nessec, both of which are now under the adj
ministration of Alliance Governors, TO make
every concession that can be rightly expected
OF il by a branch Of its own membership.
The Alliance should bear this clearly in
mind before it proceeds to precpitate an IS
sue which cannot give permanent stability 10
its own organization AS "A separate party. while
it may do much to weaken the strength of the
only party which the people Of Virginia have
70 protect them from the evils of Republican
control, which in this Commonwealth signi-
fics negro domination.