The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-26
The Outcome Of the Conferences.

virtual declaration in favor Of independent
political action. The conference did
not make that declaration, but /,
might as well have done so, because
it condemned in the strongest terms the old
political parties. and asserted that a new
political party was necessary 10 redress the
grievances and enforce the principles set
forth in its platform. It was afraid, how
ever. that there would be strong opposition
! if an attempt was made to pass a
resolution committing the organizations
itrepresented to independent political &C
ton. But it did indirectly what it failed to
do directly. The conference resolved itself
into a mass meeting, all the delegates r g.
naming in their seats. and appointed com
mittee to confer with committee Of the
Peoples party for the purpose OF fixing a
time for holding a convention to nominate
presidential ticket.
1t was evident that this would be the out:
come Of the conference long before it met.
Indeed. it had no other object Of any con-
sequence in view. The purpose Of those who
we're instrumental in havingit called was.
undoubtedly to commit the various organ
izations who would be represented in it to q
new political party.
A few OF the farmers alliance delegates
from the south were not in sympathy with
the new party movement, but they did not
protest against It. They would have ao-
complished nothing If they had done so.
But the fact that the conference proper did
not authorize the action looking toward a
new party leaves them, and those of their
constituents who agree with them, free to
continue to act with the old political parties
II they prefer to.
The only question growing out Of the con-
ference that is of much importance TO the
south is, What proportion of alliancemen
will support a new political partyl From
present indications it is safe to say that the
proportion will not be large. In this state
the new party will get good many votes.
but not enough to make the supremacy OF
the Democratic party doubtful. and the
same is no doubt true of each
OF the other southern states.
Before leaving the Democratic party
alliancemen will want to know what they
have to gain by doing so. When they I'M
derstand fully what the new party stands
for and see the kind of men who are lead
ing it, very few of them will give it en-
couragement.
The new party will be made up Of people
who think they have grievances, and who
would not be satisfied even If
the government were conducted in
accordance with their views It
will be led by cranks and disappointed
Office seekers-men who have failed to gain
influence In the old parties or retain that
which they had because the people refused
to trust them or had become tired of them.
Two Of the most conspicuous leaders at the
st. Louis conference were ex-senator Van
Wyck. of Nebraska, and Gen. Weaver, of
Iowa. Van Wyck was q republican who
made himself ridiculous In the Senate so
often that his party dispensed with his serv-
ices. The financial heresies of Gen. Weaver
were repudiated long ago. And yet such
men as these are at the front IN the new
party movement.
In the st. Louis conference sixteen differ
emit organizations were represented, yearly
every one of which has a grievance Of its
own. 1t is evident that it will not be posi-
be to unite these organizations 80 that they
will act together harmoniously and enthu-
siastically in support OF a political party.
They will be quarreling before the new
party is fully organized. They applauded
the platform Of the conference, because that
declaration of principles means very little
1t is mainly adenunciation OF the old politi-
cal parties and the existing political and
financial conditions. A platform of new
party, however. that will command support
at the ballot-box will have to be very diff
ferenr from that.
The Democratic party will not be hurt by
the new party. 1t has witnessed the rise
and fall Of many parties, aud will still be
the party of the people when this party that
is being brought into existence by Gen.
Weaver, Senator PETER, Mrs. Lease and
sothers has been forgotten.