The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-02-25
INDEPENDENT ACTION.
REASONS WHY 1T SHOULD BE
ADVOCATED.
Tho Effort to Accomplish Reforms
Through Established Party Lines Meets
with but Little Encouragement A
Standard OF Value Has No Logical Ex-
istcncc.
Urge Independence.

Urge Independence.
There are still some very WELL mean
ing persons who fondly imagine that the
best way to secure the political aims Of
the Alliance is by staying within the
party lines and securing acceptance of
their views by winning over the majority
Of their party associates, says the Amer
lean -COnformist. 1t is hardly worth
while to recall the lessons of all history,
but the universal experience of mankind
Is wholly upon one side of such an in
vestigation. All permanent reformation
has been reconstruction of lines of
division. The discontented have vainly
dashed themselves against the oppress-
i've conditions until convinced that it
was both safer and surer to attack
the wrong from the outside than
from the inside. 1t is much easier
for corrupt organization to die
than to radically alter its methods
of action. The reason for this is Obvi-
Gus. 1t is Il natural law of existence.
he man Is an example. In early life
his direction may be easily changed. but
Ill advanced years, when habits are con-
firmed and purposes are settled, nature
finds 1t better and easier to remove him
and fill his place with new creation.
Chairman Taubenbcck has been criti-
cised for his homely expression that it
is easier for a hen to lay Il fresh egg
than to purify an old one. But the il
lustration is apt and true. 1t has been
demonstrated times without number
Many hen has tried to hatch an added
egg and failed, but the production of
life from a fresh one is successful be-
cause in accordance with n law of nature.
The effort t. accomplish any consid-
cradle change OF policy within estab-
lished party lines meets with but little
encouragement. and the difficulties are
vastly increased when the proposed
changes also include deep-rooted prin-
ciples. The majority of the party is at
least contepted with the existing state
of affairs, and all the machinery and
discipline is in the hands of managers
whose first concern is to watch and sup
press every formidable appearance of
revolt. Party machines. like all other
machines, have their governing parts
from whence all effective action springs,
and all controlling influence emanates.
The men who hold these positions have
not attained them by accident, but have
come up To them through devotion 10
dominant ideas. and by monstrated
ability to establish and defend these
leading ideas against all opposition.
Henc" any serious effort to an important
change assumes the nature OF ins,llOr-
dinatiOn, iEgratitudc, treachery and re-
belliOn. The position of the rebel is
always more difficult and dangerous
than that of the open and avowed enemy.
Another serious difficulty that meets
the man who tries to accomplish reform
within his party is that he is denied the
effective assistance of kindred spirited
reformers within the lines of the oppos-
ing party. In all the preliminary
maneuvers they exchange syinpathies,
but drill in separate battalicns, and in
the decisive crisis of the ballo. box they
fire through opposing gun barrels. Pc
titiOns and resolutions and demands are
about like newspapers on the battle field
Bullets and ballots are the only things
that amount to success in the final count.
Party lines are opposing lines and
friendly reformers destroy each other at
the polls.
The only justification for party fealty
u. to locate the position of the party
toward the proposed reforms. When that
has been done, and common sense dis
Germs that the party does not clearly and
Enthusiastically align itself with the de-
mand. there can be but one course open
for the determined reformer. He must
abandon his former party associations
and form a new alliance with others
who, like himself, are looking for new
associations to accomplish the desired
end.
In further support of this position
there is enough Of practical and con-
elusive experience. The trial has been
made, and is now before the people.
in South Dakota the Alliance grew in
influence from year to year. In 1889 it's
leaders had control of the Republican
State Convention. The platform was
quite satisfactory. The Legislature was
$50 Republicans to 10 Democrats. and
103 of the 1G9 were farmers. But every
member was pledged to abide by his
party caucus. AS result, party dicta-
ton was directed by plutocracy. In
1890 the independent party was organ
ized, and Moody was retired and Kyle
went to the Senate. Kansas passed
through similar experience, and PETER
oustcd ingalls,, and five Peoples party
men took seats in the House. On the
other hand, in the South, Georgia, Ten
nessee, Kentucky, and perhaps Other
States have so-called Alliance Legislat.
ures, but in each of them the members
are first loyal to their party and then
talk about what the Alliance is going tt
get. But they do not get anything OF
value, and never will until they are free
from the old party dictation. And they
never ought to. 40 whom We yield your
selves servants t. obey, his servants "
are In matters of party policy a rep
resentative ought to keep his pledges
and obey the majority voice Of his
party. The wrong thing is for an ALI
ance man, with all this experience, t.
seek election at the hands Of party
controlled by his deathless enemies
The foolish part Of it is that having
majority of the voters devoted to hi
principles, he does not make an indie
pendent fight at the polls. An Alliance
man can prove himself immensely NOR
partisan by clinging to old party lines
and not half SO practical as by boldl,
coming out for independent politica
action.
RObinsOn's Reflections.
1t is little short of disgusting to tn
farmers Of the State to note with wha
untiring industry their opponents houn'
them in season and ont Of SoaSOn Vyrifc