The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-06
Democracy Not Unfriendiy to the Alliance.
Editor Times.

LulloI
The Virginia Sun. the Farmers Alliance pa
per in RichmOnd-and certainly q very capa-
blo and respectable one II Is. too-is pleased
70 set me down. IN common with others, rs
being an enemy of the Alliance. To this ] re-
spectfully but very emphatically, object.
hope may be expected Ut all times TO at
least attempt b. display. as well in public as
III private. the character of "A gentleman, If
not the principles OF "A Christian. And herein
/ would be false 10 myself If ] permitted It,
without denial to be asserted of me that !
was, OF am. an enemy OF any man or party OF
men. To honestly oppose does not neces-
sarily imply enmlty toward persons or par
ties / am not then. an enemy to the arm
ers' Alliance.
Indeed. ! owe too much of gratitude to GER
tain of its members. both for warm friend
ship and ardent support, and am too nearly
identified with their social and private con-
cernment for IL to be possible for me to be un-
friendly towards them. or inimical 10 their
Alliance" organization. except IN so far as an
honest difference OF opinion may cOnstrain
me to oppose OF defer certain measures con-
templated or proposed by that organization.
OF course / would be INV Orthy of either the
confidence or support OF any party or party
of men IT did not IN all matters OF public
concern at act and vote consistently
with my best matured judgment. as in the
late case OF u particular bill offered IN the
House.
What would the Alliance have had me DO?
| am Democrat, In full accord with and loyal
70 the principles of that party. and above all
things earthly of political nature desire its
unity in order 20 its success against Radical
ism. For. ~ ought TO be apparent TO all I'M
I'll Radicalism Is thrOtted and defeated there
is little hope OF success for either democratic
measures or the best purposes aimed at by
the Alliance. The purposes OF the Democracy
and those of the Alliance are virtually identi-
cal but for the Democratic party 10 fail is
Tor the Alliance 10 lose all.
Two giants Of nearly equal strength ara in
open hostility towards each other-the Demo
cratic and Republican parties The Alliance.
~ compared 20 either of them. is yet IA
dwarf whose interests in the main. however
are dear % and being fought by the Democ-
racy. whereas kadicalism would crush ont both
the Alliance and the Democracy at blow II 1t
could.
What would good policy. then. to pass over
the question Of common danger. suggest un-
der the circuu stances Certainly not that
or Others of the Democracy should DO aught
that would tend 10 distract It's counsels or
weaken It's strength by transferring against
our judgment any fraction thereof 10 the
dwarf
The Alliance can consistently enough and
TO Its advantage come 70 the Democracy. but
the Democracy cannot go to the Alliance.
When the fight now on shall have termina-
ted. and the common enemy become thing
of the past, Ierl assured thAt II VIII appear
that the Democratic party is more efficient
friend and advocate of all that Is feasible
and Just of measures now contemplated by
the Alliance than the Alliance itself can
possibly be or pr0spectlvely become.
No. am not an enemy of the Alliance. or
- the Democratic party at all 50. But We
would not SOW tares IN the Democratic field
of action. lest we endanger the harvest
necessary 10 the existence OF both the All-
apce and the Democracy. Nor may any level
headed and sincere Democrat, / think, be OK
pected to do aught by vote or otherwise, or
on any account whatever. that should
initiate against that party, weaken lis
strength by reducing its numbers or dampen
its zeal in the face of treacherous and ALL
destroying enemy.
And If the foregoing shalt suffice for expia-
nation of my late vote on the . which
vote. Of course. does not. IN my judgment at
81 require TO be apologzed for. l shall feel
gyatlhod 10 my friends II they will accept 1t
3 ~ that end
The foregoing is respectfully submitted for
i disposal by IHK TINS as being about what
might constitute proper answer by any
Democratic member of the House OF Dele
gates 10 tue allegation OF unfriendllness to-
wards the Farmers Alliance.
Respectfully. PLAIN MAN.