San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-03-28

they may nope 10 advance 1heir Po'u-
mary interests by successful efforts
at manufacturing and other industrial
enterprises, which, as individuals,
they could never hope to compass.
Again, they will thereby enlarge their
to do business, elevate them
selves intellectually, and improve
socially. Such are the
direct results OF their conferences and
meetings. Living as they do, each
man isolated on his farm, there is no
other class, it seems to us, who so
much need the improving influences
which result from business and social
cooperation as do the farmers; with
out these influences there is great
danger of their closing their grip,
and drifting into business, intellect
ual and social apathy and inertia.
In view of these considerations,
and feeling a warm interest in the
class with whom we were associated
in active life to the age of twenty-five
years, we, about n year ago, joined
the branch of the Alliance in this
place, as n testimony of our sense OF
the Importance Of the objects above
enumerated, and other desirable OBJ,
iects which we understood to be con.
templated by the organization. Oul
engagements have, however, been
such that we have seldom been able
to attend the meetings of the ALI
ance, and hence we know but little OF
it's practical operations. OF the wis
dom Of these, therefore, we cannot
speak.
That an organization Of thus kline
should make mistakes; and that il
should not be embarrassed by
self-sookiug hangers-on, striving tt
take advantage of the honest, unso-
phisticated membership; that il
would, in short, have great deal tc
learn, oil this of course, was only tc
have been expected, and we deem
it grossly unjust to indulge in whole
sale condemnation of the movement
because of these things, though con
flicts of opposing interest may nat
urally be expected to prompt severe
criticism. We do not propose to sl'
in judgment on the Alliance, either
pro or con; the members and fully o.
age, and this being free country
will have to be permitted to attempt
to work out their salvation their own
way. Doubtless they will live ano
learn, like the rest of mankind, and
we trust, will so profit by their mis-
takes us to settle down at last on
what is best for themselves and the
public generally We have great
faith that they will do so. We be
lIeve they will find that while coope
rative effort will undoubtedly aid and
bless them, the grand foundation o.
success, after all, will be found il
their possession, rs individuals, ofin-
dustry, economy and improved meth
DDS of farming, to be derived from ed
ucation and experience.
A word in conclusion as to the pc
htical bearings of the Alliance move
ment We believe they are unjustly
suspected of contemplating making i
a political machine. This the con
stitution of the order forbids, and w
do not think there is any general de
sire OF departing from this idea, nj
though certain political wire workers
NAV be looking to that end. Blu
while this is true. it by no means fol
lows, as some seem foolshly to i'm
arine. that members Of the Alliance
should take no part in politics. Thu
is absurd; they are still citizens, an,
as such. owe an obligation in com
mon with others, TO their country
Not only SO, but it is not only theI
right. but their duty. holding th
views they do. to attend the primar
political conventions and use thei
best influence for the nomination
and election If candidates who the
have reason 10 befieye are most favor
able to the grand ideas which under
lie the Alliance Should they fail {
10 this they viii be recreant alike {
their duty Cs good ciDzaus and {
the r-irss-les e thc N"5-IUl vic
they hold - % paramount .rpcrtslc
In tl5e fsrr-rr class