The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-16
PRESIDENT KEITT'S ADDRESS,
Delivered Before the County Alliance al
Prosperity January Sd, 1890.

Brethren of the County Alliance
We meet to-day under circumstances
of unusual moment. The Importance
of this meeting cannot be overestl-
mated; for our work to-day will have
potent influence upon the future opera
tions in this county.
In considering matters that are
brought before US let our first care be
to preserve harmony and unity, for we
have great work before US.
AS an agricultural and laboring peo-
pie we areenvironed by conditions that
shut out every ray of reasonable hope
for the future. IF those conditions re-
main it is only a question oftime when
we will sink into servitude. Already
enterprise in agriculture has been par
alyzed, and in thousands Of eases the
title to our lands, the heritage Of our
fathers, is passing into alien hands.
The weak have already succumbed,
the stronger see no hope until these
conditions are removed. A cry for re-
lief comes now from millions of hearts
from the hills Of Vermont to the Gulf
of Mexico; from the Atlantic to the Pa
cifc. And the eyes of all patriotic people
are turned to 1.-THE National Farmers
Alliance and Industrial Union" in
PRAYER and in hope that its efforts may
not be in vain.
Asan integral part of this organiza-
ton, the grandest upon American soil,
we must recognize the grave response
bilities that rest upon US. If true to our
selves and faithful to the purposes of
the order, we will assist in casting
aside the burdens that now oppress us,
relieve ourselves from the bondage Of
debt and introduce an era of prosperity
in our country that can be perpetuated
by the will of free people.
Let US be keenly alive to our duty,
for with US rests the hope of our coun-
try.
The scope of our work Is not pre-
scribed by limits except in the wisdom,
enterprise and determination of our
members. We have resolved by our
constitution to undertake to develop q
better state mentally, morally, socially
and financially, and any question may
be discussed in an open Alliance in a
non-partizan sense.
Some Of the most important matters
connected with our interest I will en-
deavor to bring to your attention.
It gives me pleasure to inform you
that the State Exchange is now ready
for business, and we have every reason
to believe that the order will be greatly
benefited by it. I recommend that
the plan of operation through
the State Exchange be carefully con-
sidered at this meeting and uniform
method of business be decided upon.
The warehouse will soon be COM
pleted. ...... 1t is highly important
that we prepare as soon as possible to
operate through our own agency. 1t
is an Alliance plan and the only reme-
dy that has been offered that will ef-
fectually suppress eXorbitant charges
of merchants. The State Exchange
with Alliance warehouse connection
in the county will certainly prove very
remunerative to members in the pur-
chase and sale of goods.
While local interests demand our
close attention it is equally important
that we keep abreast Of the times and
consider our general interests and our
relation to the national order.
Since the meeting at st. Louis we
are no longer at sea, but as members Of
the Alliance we are called upon to sup
port well-defned policy. This brings
US to the domain of politics.
There seems to be an impression
among some people-perhaps members
as we'll as outsiders-that an Alliance
should take no part in politics. 1t is
we'll that all such should recognize
their mistake as soon as possible. There
is nothing in the constitution that pro-
hibits the discussion Of any political
question or taking such action upon
political matters as the wisdom Of the
body may dictate.
The Alliance does not propose to in
jure any legitimate business or array
one class of citizens against another;
but there are reforms necessary to save
ourselves from ruin. To secure these
reforms the Alliance is a political
body.
Among other things our National
body at st. Louis adopted a policy to
regulate the finances Of the country.
This action demands your serious at
tention and hearty support. The gen.
eral depression that now pervades the
country is due to the pernicious Ma
tional Banking system. That 1t was
Geeply-planued and well-eNecuted
crime seems patent from facts dis
closed. Upon this point l quote from
the National Economist, September Il.
1889:
''The positive evidence Of gHilt here
in alluded to consisted of 4 circular
issued in 1862 by English capitalists
and circulated 'confidentially' among
American bankers. This circular has
world wide reputation and is known
as the Hazard Circular:'
''Slavery is likely to be abolished ny
the war power, and chattel slavery
destroyed This and my European
friends are in favor of, for slavery is
but the owning OF labor, and carries
with it the care for the laborer; while
the European plan, led on by England,