ALLIANCES, wheels, leagues--all the agrarian or-
ganizations which multiplied during the eighties--
gave tangible form to the underlying unrest created
by the economic conditions of that superficially
prosperous decade. Only slowly, however, did
there develop a feeling that a new political par-
ty was necessary in order to apply the remedies
which, it was believed, would cure some if not
all the ills of the agricultural class. Old party
ties were still strong. Only with reluctance could
the Republican or Democrat of long standing
bring himself to depart from the familiar fold.
Then, too, the recent ignominious failures of the
Greenback party might well cool the ardor of all
but the most sanguine advocates of a third par-
ty movement. Among the leaders of the agra-
rian organizations were many, moreover, who fore-
saw that to become involved in partisan politics

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