The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-16
rux FARMERS. ALLIANCE.

tho RowaDtn SuD-Alnance VI D'H"'o"i~
county recently adopted resolutions cali
inc ono of its members, Mr.. J. Z. Smith,
.bsrnlv to account for acting as chair
man of the Democratic party IN that
county. Mr.. Smiths letter written in
rcnlv is n most admirable one, that we
wish every member of the Alliance in
tho State could read. He says
"I am an Alliance man pure and sim
nle and had cherished the hope that, as
n camp of instruction, the Allance
would elevate and educate the farmer
nm to a higher standard of citizenship,
and nv teaching him to trace effect 10
cause. make il potent factor In brlng-
ing about such economic changes Us
xyould greatly benefit the agrlcnturistS,
of the country, and through, THEM aii
classes of American citizens
Mr.. Smith has here explained justly
and correctly the sphere of usefulness OF
the Farmers Alliance. 1t should be
camp Of instruction for farmers in mat
tiers pertaining TO agriculture. IL Should
koen them informed respecting all new
inventions in agricultural implements,
resnecting all experiments in improve
merits in seeds, it should keep the farmer
Informed respecting every Improvement
IN agriculture. When it does this, 1t per-
forms useful part and is really better
ing the condition of the agricuiturist.
But when the Alliance as an organiza-
ton goes outside of this sphere to take
mart in the management and conduct of
nolitical affairs, it is departing from its
true mission and sowing the seeds of Its
own destruction and of great injury to
the public.
The Farmers Advocate published at
Charleston. w. Va, the official organ OF
that State. contained the following edi-
torial in its last issue. which we commend
TO all members of the Alliance;
I'VE Joined the Alliance because we
thought it's objects and aims were rlght-
cons and because we thought the pollti-
coI erigencies of the period demanded the
birth and growth Of such an organization.
Political reform and governmental re.
tronchment in the lavish expenditures OF
tho nublic moneys and in the leyying OF
taxation were potent elements winch led
to tho inc,Ibatiop of the vital principles
for which the farmers have been hghtlng
and which have subsequently Matched
into living, fUll-grown issues. During
the marvellous growth and developInenI
of the great Alliance movement there
seemed to be few in our ranks Dut tnose
fred with patriotic zeal 10 see the oroer
triumphant in its fight for the liberty and
nrosnerifT Of the people, and every one
seemed TO vie one with the other in self
ahnegating methods to achieve the high
rst good for the greatest number. VINE
these conditions prevailed we grew win
an, unDrecedeItcd growth. FoiItlcidhs
.rambled and Wall street quaked. In
y few wears, from q nucleus OF the w
most insigdihca nee, handful or weaH
ORGANIZATIONS had grown TO conDlIa-
tion which could not be limited except py
the confines of this great country Coun-
ties were captured, congressional us
tricts were stcrmed and taken ana whoie
States were made 10 surrender. IL was
nj This iuncture our danger began. a
few old visionary, disappointed polltl-
clans smelled the good things POSSIBLY
attainable to them; they got lpto our
ranks Heaven only knows how. ana ne
gan their intrgues. For eighteen months
This has continued. and for one year our
phenomenal growth has been dwarted
and retrogression invited-nOt only III
vited. but entertained as cherlsne1 anu
honored guest. A greed for office has sud
denly seized the few who came into our
fold for no other reason than the nope
of getting free ride, and they have liter
aUy turned the Alliance temple INTO
den of thieves having stolen our iEery
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 conservative element every
where has exclaimed. ITO your tents, u
Israeli What do these wreckers care
for the good the life or the perpetuiIy
of the Alliance? They are getting no.
toriety. and they would sell their hope OF
Heaven (and that ought to be bought
cbeap) TO have their names heIalded
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 when
we have ever made the assertion that
the Alliance no more belongs TO them as
Third party candidates than it belongs
Ia any other p:irty. and it neither can nor
will indorse 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. conscientious conviction, and ac-
knowledge no motive other than the pro-
motion Of the best interests of the Farm
ers' Alliance