The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-08-09
The Farmers Alliance.

The above organization held its an
nual meeting In Baton Rouge this week.
President T. s. Adams delivered his an
nual address. After reviewing the pro-
Rress male by the Association, he spoke
a. follows regarding the political posi-
ton Of the Alliance: "YOur Organiza-
ton Is bipartisan. political. 1t bridges
the chasm made by the late war between
the sections and proposes to brush aside
political demagogues. who, for sinister
and selfish reasons, stand, crOwbar In
hand. to pry open the breach between
north and south.
"But we made no new vehicle for the
ambitious to ride into power. "The office
must seek the man." We ask a change
Of measures, not q change Of men. If,
however. our just demands are disregard
I'd, we shall see to 1t that we elect to Of
Zee capable agents to protect our rights.
THE incongruity that exists in the
elective franchise In the southern states.
the infusion into the body polite OF q
large colOred element. as yet unfamiliar
with the duties of citizenship, warns us
Of the suicidal policy. for the present at
least, Of any attempt to establish third
party. It were better to cleanse the
Augean stables Of their moral CORFU tion
than to raise new building on differ
ent site"
The session Of the National Alliance in
December last Is referred to and concern
Ing its action President Adams says:
Il therefore recommend the calling at
some future day of labor state conven-
ton, in which all labor organizations in
the state be invited to participate.
While keeping each order separate and
distinct, such a meeting would fraternize
and unity to great extent the indus
trial classes of our commonwealth, and
secure plank in the platform of the
dominant part upon which all might
stand on questions affecting a common
Interest.
In referring to the attitude Of the ALI
ance towards the Louisiana State Lot
terry Company, President Adams cites the
fact that the alliance was the first secu-
lar organization to announce its OppOsi-
tion either to the rechartering Of the
Louisiana State Lottery or the charter
ing of any lottery. This opposition
stssds as pledge on the part Of the or
der which must be kept inviolate.
Referring to the attitude of members
OF the alliance who served in the last le-
gislature, he says: "A halo of glory
clusters around the names of our bro
theirs, who, when the air was rife with
rumOrs Of corruption, stood like walls of
adsmant In your Legislative halls defen-
ding your honor; may their virtues abide
with you as the talisman of hope and
memory. And whatever motives Undue
ed others Of ours to disobey the behest of
the sovereign head and desert our stand
ard In the hour Of supreme need, we leave
with their cOnsciences and their God.
1t was the duty Of those members TO have
withdrawn from your organization be-
tore they took the fatal step, for then
your name would have been above re-
pr0sch.
II recommend that you dedicate page
In your record book to the honor Of our
brothers. who, as members Of the legis-
lature, voted In accordance with your
wishes against submitting to popular
vote the question Of rechartering the
lottery and that You instruct your secre-
tary to inscribe thereon their names q
fitting testimonial of their virtues.
II further recommend that you expel
from the order those members who have
disobeyed your instructions on this vital
questionable state, parish and subOr.
dinate unions, respectively, dealing with
their members.
II feel assured thai you will at this
meeting reiterate the sentiments express.
ed at your last meeting al ne lottery
question, and as you cannot serve sod
and MammOn, effectually bar your d, ors
In the future against dissenters."