Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-02
LEGIONS OF FARMERS.
An Alliance Which Has Alarmed the
Politicians.
WORKING WITHIN PARTIES.
q Revolt Against Money Rule-Head.
quarters In the City-An Organization
Extending Over Many states-Whas II
Expected This Fall.

II gives evidence OF Delng
1A thing that is to have some permanent
Sresults that will affect the whole nation.
The growth of this power has been remarkable
In short time, and already in some sections
1t threatens the undoing Of politicians and of
parties. II is q non-partisan movement, but, all
political; it is working inside Of both parties
upon the very soul of the government itself
The sub-treasury bill is a center about which
the alliance revolves, but the bill itself merely
represents a theory, and professedly tho alli-
ance men do not care for the form, or even for
the essence Of the bill itself, if some other
means can be devised for the accomplish
ment of the results aimed at. The alliance
6nds its reason for being in the idea that the
farmers, upon whose shoulders the state is
reared, have no part in the government of the
the state that the producers of wealth have
none of the wealth, or at least have not the
share OF the wealth they ought to have. Upon
the theory that the power of legislation is exer-
cised in the interests of the manufacturing and
money lending classes only. their proposition
il that there shall be legislation in the interest
OF the FARMER.
They believe the government now to be in
the hands of the manufacturing and money
lending classes. and they propose to overthrow
that power and to claim at least a partnership
in the government TO do this they do not
contemplate the establishment of a new party;
the formation Of the alliance is not a third
party movement. The membership Of the or
gsnization Is made up of men of both parties,
and the idea Is, as they would put il, to replace
corporation democrats by Farmers Alliance
democrats and corporation republicans by slli-
ance republicans until they have enough alli-
ance men in Congress to hold the balance OF
power. They are directly opposed to party
legislation. Under their theory an alliance
democrat or alliance republican would be
bound by no party caucus, but would vote on
49, ,AraNa - ~ l.
he happened to be voting with or against the
rest OF his party. The alliance Is an enemy Of
king caucus.
WORKING INSIDE OF PARTIES.
The method Of procedure in politics is for
the alliance democrats to exert themselves to
get control of democratic conventions and de-
termine the character of the platforms and of
the candidates, and for the republican alliance
men to take a similar course with regard to the
conventions of their party. By this means they
expect to secure the election of many men to
Congress who will be their advocates. and even
TO effect the choice of presidential candidates
Wherever they feel that they have the strength
they are now opposing candidates for Congress
who will not accept their theories of govern
ment, and in the next Congress they are count
ing on thirty members of the House, thirteen
OF which they say are already assured to them
As an organization they do not threaten par
ties, but individual members of parties and
now a NUMBER OF congressman are uneasy
their seats. and 1t Is not only members who feel
this uneasiness but Senators as well At pres
ent their greatest power is i'll the south, though
they are strong IN the west, too In New Eng
land they are not making an effort, for 1t is in
antagonism to New England interests largely
they are working. Their national headquarters
Is here IN Washington. where their national or
gan Is published, and from whence the great
machine is run. From here are touched the
wires that run into nearly all the states, north,
south and west.
NEARLY 2.5OO,0Oo MEMBERS
The extent Of the movement is something
remarkable. The membership is estimated at
nearly two and half millions There are
branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado,
North Dakota. South Dakota. Florida, Geor-
gla, Indiana. Indian territory. Illinois. Kansas
Kentucky. Louisiana, Missouri. Maryland, Mis-
sissippi, North Carolina. South Carolina Ten
nessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin. New Mex
leo, Ohio. In September one is to be organ
lied IN Michigan, and at an earlier date one in
West Virginia. By the time the fall campaign
gets In full blast they expect to have organiza-
tons III thirty states.
The alliance as a national affair is a combina-
ton OF many organizations in the several
states, and has been known to the public but a
shor: time, during which ii has made itself
pretty well known. Its membership includes
women as well as men, those above the age OF
sixteen being eligible.
THE BEGrSSINe.
The first Farmers Alliance was organized i'm
Lampasas county, Tex. in 1876. The objects
were to resist the unlawful depredations of cat
tie and land thieves and bring the law breakers
TO justice.
This organization was very defective W.T.
Baggett, who a member of this organiza-
ton. moved to Poolville in Parker county and
organized the hrst alliance in Parker county in
1879 This organization from the beginning
rapidly spread out, and the first state alliance
was organized as central In Parker county in
1879 under the name and style of Farmers
Alliance. The name changed to the
Farmers State Alliance In 1881 The organiza-
ton continued to grow and spread throughout
north and central Texas until at the meeting
held in Cleburne, Johnson county, Tex. on
August 6, 1856, eighty-four counties were rep
resented At this meeting the declaration OF
purposes OF the order were perfected and
adopted, as follows:
Profoundly impressed that we. the Farmers
Alliance, united by the strong and faithful ties
OF financial and home interests. should set
forth our declaration Of intentions, We there
fore resolve:
tural classes, in the science of economical gov
eminent. IN u strictly non-partisan spirit.
2 10 indorse the motto In things essential,
unity; and in all things. charity"
g. To develop better state, mentally, NOR
ally, socially and financially.
l. 10 create better understanding for sus-
tanning civil officers in maintaining law and
order.
5. To constantly strive to secure entire har-
mony and good will among all mankind and
brotherly love among ourselves.
.. To suppress personal, local sectional and
national prejudices; all unhealthy rivalry and
all selfish ambition.
q The brightest jewels which il gamers are
the tears OF widows and orphans and its i'm
PeratlVe commands are to visit the homes
where lacerated hearts are bleeding: to assuaye
the sunerings OF brother; bury the dead: care
Tor the widows and educate the orphans: to ex-
ercise charity toward offenders; to construe
words and deeds in their most favorable light
granting honesty OF purpose and good inten-
tions 70 Others and to protect the principles of
the alliance unto death Its laws are reason
and equity; its cardinal doctrines inspire purity
OF thought and life; its intentions are peace
on earth and good will toward men"
The adoption Of the first declaration of mr.
poses caused considerable confusion, which ne
cessitated called meeting of the state alliance
which was held at Waco, Tex, on January II,
1857. ~
OTHER BODIES ABSORBED.
Some little time before this the Farmers'
Union Of Louisiana was formed and about
this time il became associated with the alliance
Later they were joined by the Cooperative
Union OF America The first annual meeting
was held in Shreveport, La, in January 1885
with delegates representing Alabama, Ar
kansas. Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, Missouri, North Carolina. Tennessee and
Indian territory. In October. 1889 the asso-