The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-01-03

culuate a proper appreciation of the
abilities and sphere of woman.
That declaration Of purposes is the
Grange platform, and there is nothing
in it which is not found either in the
same or in different words in the plat
form of every one of the farmers asso-
Citations which have been formed since.
But the Grange is very different sort
of body from what it was when that
platform was adopted. Then it was an
overgrown, unwieldy admixture of dis
cordant elements. Time, experience,
discipline, and trial purged it. The
ranks were thinned rapidly. and during
dozen years after the St. Louis meet
ing the membership fell off to small
number of devoted men and women, the
seed of the order; but now it is grow
ing steadily and BEAUTIFULLY, A Grange
neighborhood in any part Of the coun-
try teslifss to the educational advant
ages of the order, and the proceedings
of State and national Oranges show the
foot. prints of strong men and women.
During the dark years Of the Grange,
other associations Of farmers were form
ed, based on the same principles and
having the same general objects in
view. The first of these which remain
ed and grew was the Farmers Ali
ance," which was organized at Pool
vile, Parker County, Texas, July %
1879 with W. L. Baggett as leading
worker. He had effected an association
of the same name in Lampasas County
same State, in 1875, but it was for
local rather than general purposes. 1t
was a combination of farmers against
land and cattle spectators. Removing
to Parker County, Mr. Baggett set
about organizing farmers for general
and permanent purposes Everything
of partisan nature was cast aside, and
the Farmers Alliance, like the Grange,
started as purely non.partisan body,
| its functions educational, and its field
of operations limited only by the boun,
daries of human exertiop. 1t began
with the following declaration OF
principles:
81. To labor for the education of the
agricultural classes in the science Of
economical government, in strictly
non partisan spirit. 2. TO develop "a
better state mentally, morally, socially,
and financially. 3. To create better
understanding for sustaining civil Of
fccrs in maintaining law and order 4.
Constantly to strive to secure entire
harmony and good will among all man
kind, and brotherly love among our
selves 8. To suppress personal. local,
sectional, and national prejudices, all
unhealthy rivalry, and all selfish am.
bition."
To these were added later the fol,
lowing:
ITO indorse the motto, I'm things es
sential, unity; and in all things, char
ity.' The brightest jewels which it
gamers are the tears of widows and or
phans; and its imperative commands
are to visit the homes where Iacerated
hearts are bleeding ; to assusge the suf
ferings of brother or sister to bury
the dead ; to care for the widows and
educate the orphans to exercise char.
ity toward offenders to construe words
and deeds in their most favorable light.
granting honesty Of purpose and good
intentions to other and to protect the
principles of the Alliance unto death.
Its laws are reason and equity, its car.
dinal doctrines inspire purity Of thought
and life, and its intentions are peace on
earth and goodwill toward men,"
The Farmers Alliance was chartered
according to law in Oct. 1880, and the
work was pushed into other counties.
In February, 1882, the State Alliance
was organized, and membership was
limited to white persons. Eighty.four
counties were represented at the State
meeting in August, 1885.
On Recommendation of G. w. Nc
Cune, President of the Texas State
Alliance, meeting was called at Waco,
on the 18th day of Jan, 1887, for the
purpose Of effecting union with the
Farmers Union," an association of
Louisiana farmers which had been be.
gun for similar purposes at Antioch
Church, March 10, 1886 Delegates,
duly comm ssioned, were present from
bodies, and the union was effcted the
new organization taking the name Of
the Farmers Alliance ard Co operat
i've Union of America" with G. W.
McCune at the head. Organizers and
lecturers were sent into other States,
and through their efforts the order
spread rapidly in Missouri, Kentucky.