The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-02-27
THE ALLIANCE.
THE VACANCY MADE BY THE DEATH
OF HON. FELIX SMITH FILLED.
Mr.. Ben Terrell, the National Lecturer
Addresses the Alliance and Deals in
Some Cheap Clap-Trap.


Ben Terrell, Lecturer for the National
Alliance, and he spoke eloquently and
earnestly for one hour and half. He
counseled prudence and unity Of &C
ton, and warned the farmers against
the dangers of allowing themselves to
drift into party politics. He said we
must expect reforms by demands on
our representatives,, not by third
party or any other party.
Vice President w. ID. Miller was
elected President by acclamation to
fill the place of Hon. Felix Smith, de-
ceased.
The Alliance adjourned to hear a
public lecture in the County Court
room at 2 80 pm.
At the afternoon hour set, Mr.. Ter
rell addressed twenty-seven members
of the Alliance and some four or five
citizens, among whom were Judge
A. w. Terrell and Judge Breckenridge
and two newspaper reporters who
happened to drop in.
Mr.. Terrell makes a good speech
and so deity handles wild assertions
that if he is not careful he will be
classed among the clap-trap dema-
gogues of the land.
In his address he gave the farmers
some good advice as to the Importance
of education and investigating for
themselves. 1t was advice they
should by all means heed and profit
by and take no mans sayso about
grave questions of State affecting
their material interest even if he be a
salaried lecturer of the Alliance.
He argued that farmers should
seek to be educated and to inculcate
the objects of their association from a
partisan stand point. If the
national banking system for instance
was found to be good then it will be
appreciated by them, if hurtful we
should do away with it. If the priv
ileges granted to them were too great
We should oppose them, bat what the
farmers should do was to study and
investigate such questions and de-
termine the true policy for themselves
without partisan bias no matter what
party was for or against them. The
banks are here and it is our duty to
discuss and investigate the workings
and effects of the system.
This we should do as citizens without
regard to the fact whether we are
farmers or not. If the banks are
wrong discuss them and try to right
them. SO with regard to direct or in
direct taxation; the people should
discuss all such questions and inves-
tigate them that they may do so in
diligently. Education in such mat
ters is absolutely necessary for their
comprehension.
You are told that the National
banks ale outrageous wrongs having
the power to expand or contract your
currency at will, and they do it to the
control of the price of your produce
1t is affected by the amount OF mono y
in circulation and this circulate, n
should be controlled, and you must in
veStigate these measures and form q
non-partisan view to see how your in
terests are affected and remedy them
as far as they are jeopardized.
If you don't investigate you should
suffer the consequences. There is no
use to simply curse the combines. In
stead of being so particular we should,
farmers and all, as citizens, stand
more on principle than party.
Ifyou can manipulate your business
SO as to hold your produce you can re-
alize better values, and this is the aim
of your organization. There is a
great difference between the farmers
or producers association for the gen.
eral good and that Of the spectators
for the benefit OF few.
AS you are aware your association
is for the purpose of promoting your
interests, morally, socially, mentally
and financially, and you should get
into position to realize your true con-
dition and become representative
men. You have the powers through
the Alliance to educate yourselves to
this standard. But as it is with many
of you for want OF proper investiga-
ion let me ask what do you know
out government, about the con-
raction OF the currency? Are you
aware that but three-eights of you
own lands and five-eights are but ten
nts? And how can you undertake
toproperly represent the int yrests you
Q k to advance should GU be called
to represent the people?
You must see that education is alb
solutely necessary for the promotion
of your interests. Take the papers
and read them. Read your constitu-
ton to see how it is violated. Read
the proceedings of the twenty-seven
States represented in your last ma
tional convention. Note that tn y
demand that no aliens shall own land
here and that there are 6O,OOO,00
acres of land in America owned by
foreigners. Urge your Representa-
tiveS to work against the aggressions
of corporations, the railroads, insur-
ance companies, etc. Do you know
that in Georgia a New York syndi-
cate has purchased $4,000 acres Of
the finest land in the State, on the
Coosa river, and have drive away the
whites and taken negroes to work