The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-19
Marlboro, Spartanburg, York, Union,
Chester, Lancaster, Horny and several
other counties.
THE OBJECTS OF THE ALLIANCE.

The purposes of the Order are ex'
planned in the following declarations OF
the national constitution:
!. TO labor for the education of the
agricultural classes in the science OF
economical government in a strictly
non-partisan spirit.
2. TO endorse the motto, ain things
essential unity, and in all things chari'
ty.n
3. To develop better state, men
tally, morally, socially and financially
4. To create, better. understanding
for sustaining civil officers in maintain
ing law and order.
5. To constantly strive to secure en-
tire harmony and good will among all
mankind aud brotherly love among
ourselves.
6. TO suppress personal, local, sec
tional and national pre;udices; all un-
healthful rivalry and selfish ambition.
I. The brightest jewels which it gar
ners are the tears of widows and Or
phans, and its imperative commands
are to visit the homes where lacerated
hearts are bleeding; to assuage the suf-
ferings OF a brother or sister; bury the
dead; care for the widows and educate
the orphans; to exercise charity towards
to construe words and deeds
in their most favorable light, granting
honesty of purpose and good intentions
to others; and to protect the principles
of the Alliance unto death. Its laws
are reason and equity, its cardinal doc
trines inspire purity of thought and
life, its intention is ''peace on earth and
good will towards men,"
The article of the constitution relat-
ing to membership says:
mo person shall be admitted as a
member unless he has been citizen of
the State for six months past, and not
then unless he be a farmer, farm
laborer, mechanic, country school
teacher, country physician or minister
Of the Gospel, be Of good moral charac-
ter, believe in the existence of Su-
preme Being, be of industrious habits,
is white person, and over the age of
16 years."
Another section Of the constitution
gives black eye te the lawyers. 1t
says:
ut is deemed contrary to the spirit
Of the Order for brothers to 60 to law
with each other. Therefore, it is earn
estly recommended, when pecuniary
differences arise between members,
that they settle them amicably among
themselves; failing to do SO, that they
leave the matter to arbitration by two
or more members ofthe Alliance. Each
contending party shall have theright to
select one arbitrator, and the arbitra-
tors shall select the third"
TAKING LIKE WILDFIRE.
Mr.. G. J. Redfearn, well-educated
and progressive farmer of Chesterfield
County, says that the Alliance is very
popular in that county. 1t has grown
almost like magic. Not year old, it
has already over 1900 members, and is
growing every day both in influence
and numbers. All classes of farmers
are joining it, and taking an active
in the Order without any
of feeling. Some members
have their cash surplus of thousands,
while others have only their labor and
their sturdy character. Mr.. Redfearn
says that the Order has encountered
from some merchants, but
that it was due to business matters and
not to the principles of the Order. The
Alliance is strong in its membership,
and it commands the respect ofall who
are informed as to its objects.
THEIR WAY OF DOING BUSINESS.
Mr.. Redfearn gave me an account OF
their business methods, whereby they
are enabled to get reasonable rates and
accommodating terms for their mem
bers. In every county the Alliance has
q trade agent and every sub-alliance
in the county has trade committee
the chairman Of which is the sub-trade
agent. The various sub-agents consti
tute the county trade board, and they
have the management and control O
the financial affairs ofthe organization
Their plan is to give every merchant ir
the county chance to bid for the trade
of the Alliance. The merchants who
make the best responsible bids are ap
pointed as trade stores for the Alliance
III n-S-H-SIS1 AS1O SOUuLS ILLSkG Die ANt
trade stores that are furnishing mem
bers Of the Alliance with certain classe:
of goods at rates far below those hither
to paid by the average farmer. Some
farmers, who have always been shrewt
buyers, who have had no reason t
complain Of the prices they have paiC
for their supplies; but many farmers
who have been practically at the mer
cy Of the merchants, have been com
pelled to pay prices that have been sim
ply outrageous. These farmers ar
helped by the Alliance and are enabled
to procure their supplies on reasonable
terms. Mr.. Redfearn sees a decided
improvements in dealings of credit. H
says that as long as the members cal
get what they want from the trad
stores they will buy there: but tha
they go elsewhere for what they do no
keep.
In Chesterfield the Sub-.AlIianc
L ~