Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1889-08-22
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1889.
The Ea rmers, Alliance.

sSS5soWa ''Ot i"pS3 SitNs DSSoii'S ~ ~ ~ '
s years suoh power in the land, Il
the organization known as tho Farm
8s ers' Alliance. The origin and history
L of such movements must always
be of interest to mankind, and cs
Pecially to all who may be helped b,
them in the stern conflict of life
The following brief account of tho
origin and history of the Alliance we
take from Garvin Il Dows' History
Of the National Farmers Alliance
and Co-Opcrativc Union of Ameri,
ca"
The name, Farmers Alliance, orig
mated in 1876, i'll Lampasas county,
Texas. 1t seems that the first set
tiers were troubled a great deal about
the land on which they had settled,
and also had trouble to keep what
stock they had. Tho great cattle
kings were opposed to the settlement
of tho country, and would frequently
drive off the farmers cattle and other
stock. This necessarily compelled
them to unite for protection, and the
Farmers Alliance was formed. The
Alliance grew until in 1878 it had
spread over l.ampasas and three or
iour adjoining counties, when few
designing men converted it into apoli-
tical party which virtually destroyed
that organization. Within a year
not one Of those Alliances remained.
In tho ycnr 1879 w. n. Baggctt,
amcmbcr of the old Alliance from
( sCoryell county, moved to Parker
county, and settled at Poolvillc. lie
organized The first Alliance at Pool
vile, Duly 20, 1879 Among the
early members of this first Alliance
were hardy fronticrsmen, banded
together rs band Of brothers, work
ing together for the interest Of them
selves, their families and the country
in which they lived. Rcalizing the
needs Of the farming classes, and
proiting by the experience of the
pasb, the first Alliance was founded
by men OF Integrity, men Of Justice
and right, men who believe in the
principles of equal rights to all men,
men who went to work organizing
the Alliance, fully cognizant Of The
evils and opposition that awaited
their efforts.
These men conceived the plan to
lift them above thc Vaccinations Of
capitalists, who were striving to
place them in n state Of dependence,
and to avoid this the Alliance was
formed. In the first organization at
Poolvillc, all party political features
were struck out from the original
I.ampasas declaration Of principles,
uniting the order in nnn-partisan
brotherhood, guided by the sole OBJ
ject of: "rhc general good Of the
producing masses" Truly and faith
fully did these early mcmbcrs work,
meeting great opposition and prciu-
dice, yet they were not discouraged,
but worked on, prompted by patri-
otic motives, striving for the adjust
ment of the objects of the order,
the motto of Which is: 'sIn things
essential, unity, and in all things,
charity"
Parker and the adjoining counties
were largely settled b cntcrprising
farmers from tho North and East.
These men were convinced that the
organization was intended for good
TO their fcllow-mcn, and that it had
already accomplished much good,
and could accomplish more, and ali
went to work with will to succeed.
Thus was the Alliance formed A
second Alliance was formed at Cen
trail, Parker county, and third in
Jack county, Texas.
The first meeting Of the State Al
lance was held At Central, Parker
county, Texas. 1t was composed of
delegates from twelve ub-Allianccs.
Several meetings were held in the
year 1879, to prepare and perfect /;
new Constitution and Ritual. There
is nothing new in the principles upon
which the Alliance is founded They
are as old as time itself. The prin
ciplcs of the order are rs follows:
1. TO labor for the education of
the agricultural classes in the science
of economical government, in
strictly partisan spirit.
2. TO indorsc the motto: In
things essential, unity, in all things,
charity"
3. TO develop better state, mcn-
tally, morally, socially and financially.
4. TO create better understand
ing for sustaining civil officers in
maintaining law and order.
5. 10 constantly strive TO secure
entire harmony and good will among
all mankind and brothcrly love
among ourselves.
y. 10 suppress personal, local, sec
tional and national prcjudiccs all
unhealthy rivalry and all selfish am
bition.
7. The brightest jewels which it
garncrs are the tears OF widows and
orphans, and its imperative COM
mands arc to visit the homes where
iaccratcd hcarts arc bleeding; to as
suage the suifcrings of brother or
sister; bury the dead; care for the
widows and educate The orphans: to
exercise charity towards offenders; ;
to construc words and deeds in their
most favorable light, granting hor