The advocate., 1890-12-17

NiAhN bNo Nluoo huN ANNleh OF NfHhhuLelf 10
transferred and merged into that Of tho
secretary.
8. respectfully suggest 10 your body tho
expediency and adviaabilty OF requiring
any officer OF your body who may be nOmi-
mated or appointed 90 any OWL Office 30
tender the resignation Of his Office prompt
ly, upon his acceptance OF such nomination
or appointment.
DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
For a statement OF tho work and duties
performed In tho various departments, you
are respectfully referred tO'the reports, re-
spechyely, OF the Office in charge. And In
this connection, recommend, with the con-
curen 80 OF all the officers concerned, the
appointment OF competent committee,
carly In your session, who shall, with your
National Secretary, examine carefully and
thoroughly the records OF all receipts and
disbursements, and report thereon, before
your adjournment.
10 affords me pleasure TO testify 10 the
fidelity and efficient labor Of all the officers
connected with your national Office.
POLITICAL ACTION.
An intelligent conception and comprehen-
sion of tho relations and reciprocal Obliga-
tions between the citizens and the govern
ment is one of the highest attributes of
American citizenship And under our form
OF government one Of the most important
duties devOlving upon the citizen h the
attainment of this knowledge. Hence, frBt
and foremost in our declaration of princi-
pies" we announce that we are; "r0 labor
for the education of the agricultural classes
in the science OF economical government, in
strictly non partisan spirit and TO bring
about more perfect union Of said classes"
We're il in the design of the trainers Of
our organic law 20 impress our membership
with the responsible and patriotic duty Of
renching that exalted standard in citizen
ship 10 which ali American freemen should
aspire, and TO assert that our organization
was political, in the highest sense OF the
term, they were fortunate IN adopting the
language used in this declaration. But
while our organization is political, II cannot
be partisan nor sectional in It's action. In
support OF this declaration we proudly point
TO our whole past record and 30 the recent
popular election, and particularly TO the
noble and patriotic bearing Of the brother
hood in the states OF Kansas and South Car
Olina.
II 10 as needless as it would be criminal,
TO attempt TO disguise the fact that as or
ganiSatiOn we have reached a critical period
in our existence.
Insidous and powerful influences are
seeking Co divert us from the high purposes
and grand objects for which we were organ.
lied. Flushed and elated with success
marvellous in many of lbs aspects and the
most remarkable political history in this
country, lot us not impair its prestige and
power by indifference and inactivity on the
one hand, or by grasping for the impracti-
cable or unattanable, on the other.
Strong as we are and strong as we must
becomo-strong enough, IL united, tO.render
our lines impregnable to any open or op-
posing force-yet we are not strong enough,
nor can we be, TO withstand the intrigue and
treachery of foes within. Our principles
must find their "city of refuge" and our
cause its ctidel of safety in the loyal hearts
Of a devoted membership.
Let our primary bodies barracade their
doors against the unworthy and designing
men, and, il such be found already within
the gates, lot them at once be fur.
nished n safe and speedy exit to the
camp OF the enemy. Let these primary
Understanding as a sentinel nc the
outer gates-be constantly on the alert and
watch with ceaseless vigilance, lest they ad-
NIT dangerous emmissaries from corpora
tions or political or monopolistic combina-
tions Let us, as an order, adopt as our
rule of action the inhexible test Of loyalty TO
alliance principles as the lrst and most es-
sential prerequisite TO membership and TO
our confidence.
Apply this test in the selection Of officers,
from the steward of primary body TO the
president of your national body. Apply
this test rigidly to all men who aspire TO
represent us in any capacity, and especially
TO those, whether of high or low degree, who
are TO be intrusted with the duties and
powers of legislation. And il in the faith
full and impartial application of this test
any reasonable doubt should arise do not
hesitate TO give our cause the full benefit of
such doubt. Place no man on guard who is
not a loyal and faithful friend TO our cause,
Herein lies our strength and our safety.
Let us stand unitedly and unAinchingly
by the grent nrinciples enuncinted Rt our