Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-09-23
An Alliance Organ Sounds the Alarm.

The Farmers Advocate, published at
Charles Town, ". Va, and the official organ
of the Farmers Alliance in that State. con-
tanned the<following leading editorial in its
last issue:
"We joined the alliance because we thought
its objects and aims were righteous, and be-
cause We thought the political exegencieS of
the period demanded the birth and growth OF
such an organization. Political reform and
penditures OF the public moneys and in the
levying of taxation were potent elements
which led to the incubation CT the vital prin-
cipleS for which the farmers have been fight
ing and which have subsequently Matched
into living, full-grown issues. During the
marvellous growth and development Of the
great alliance movement there seemed to be
few in our ranks but those fired with patri-
otto zeal to see the order triumphant in its
fight for the liberty and prosperity OF the
people, and every one seemed to vie with the
other in Self-abnegating methods to achieve
the highest good for the greatest number.
While these conditions prevailed we grew
with an unprecedented growth. Politicians
trembled and Wall street quaked. In few
years, from nucleus of the utmost insigniti-
canoe, a handful of weak organizations had
grown to combination which could not be
limited except by the confines OF this great
country. Counties were captured, congress
sional districts were stormed and taken and
whole States were made to surrender. 1t was
at this juncture our danger began. A few old
visionary, disappointed politicians smelled
the good things possibly attainable to them;
they got into our ranks, Heaven only knows
how. and began their intrigues. For1Smonths
this has continued, and for one year our phe-
nomenal growth has been dwalfed and retro
erosion invited-not only invited, but enter
tanned as cherished and honored guest. A
greed for Office has suddenly seized few who
came into our fold for no other reason than
the hope of getting free ride, and they have
literally turned the alliance temple into den
of thieves, having stolen our livery to promote
! their own personal ambition, and the alliance
to-day has to bear the burden of their SHINING
Is it any wonder that the conserga- i've element
everywhere has exclaimed TO your tents, o
Israeli What do these Wreckers care for the
good, the life OF the perpetuity OF the alli-
ance? They are getting nOtoriety, and they
would sell their hope of Heaven (and that
ought to be bought cheap to have their names
heralded around through the country. But
they will find that it will be the biggest con-
tract they ever undertook to adjust the tail so
it will Wag the alliance dog. We aver with
the same emphasis with winch we have ever
made the assertion that the alliance no more
belongs to them as third party candidates than
it belongs to any other party, and it neither
can nor will endorse them. Third partyism
is the greatest curse which has ever struck the
Farmers Alliance in West Virginia, and we
say this in the full light OF an honest consc-
entious conviction, and acknowledge no mo-
tive other than the promotion of the best in
terests OF the Farmers Alliance