Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-04-24

danger from such discussion if it be
conducted in non-partisan, non
factious way, and Alliance members
will engage in such discussions in no
other spirit.
But the State Alliance has made
no Legislative demands and as an or
gani1ation are not called upon to
pass OH the demands put forth by
the "Farmers' Association"
The Alliance does not Interfere
with the political or religious prefer
enccs of its members. It is Demo
cratic-majority rule of the member
ship. Legislative demands formula
ted by the State Alliance would be
submitted to the Sub.Allianccs for
ratification When ratified it would
become State Alliance demand,
and the membership would vote for
no man who was not pledged to work
for It's legal enactment.
The Alliance makes no war on
any political party. When it wants
legislation it don't ask the candidate
if he is a Democrat, Republican,
Wing, KncwNothing or Green
backer; it simply takes pledge that
he will, if elected, work to secure
the enactment of its measures, and
lets him take his chances.
The word "labor" in tho dcclara-
ton which we have been examining
means effort at performancc-it
means there are to be no droncs in
the Alliance hive while this cduca-
tional work is needed.
Now word in reference to the
article from tho Barnwell People and
| close, and let me say that l see
nothing in it to condemn. Your
solicitude lest the Alliance ship
should be wrecked in the stormy sea
of politics was no doubt shared by
thousands of rs good Alliance men
as there are in the State. Your fear
that the Alliance might become
clannish and refuse to vote for any
save members of tho Order will, l
think, prove unfoundcd. The ALI
ance method leaves each member
free to vote for the candidate of his
choice, provided he is right OIL meas
ures, and education in the science of
political economy is relied OH to Sc
cure unity in support Of measures,
and it must be kept in mind that the
State Alliance has submitted no de-
mands, consequently each member
will determine for himself his duty
rs to men and measures. l said
duty; yes, that is the word-duty-
it carries the idea of relieving poll
tics of sentiment and looks to the
securing of economy and efficiency
iii government.
There is another idea in the arti-
Gle from the Barnwell People which
the Alliance brotherhood should
never forget: The dangcy of load
ing the Alliance ship with 1clf-scck-
ers, who look to their own advance
ment from their connection with
our Order. Office-scckerS should
fHiiRdno MD 10 encouragement to enter the
Alliance. Alliance Associations will
better qualify us to select wisely oul
servants to fill the offices.
Referring to the action of the
Bambcrg Brethren, I think they mis-
construed the purpose Of the article
in the Barnwei' People. 1t only
warned against apparent danger
they construed it $ an attack on tho
"Farmcrs' Movement"
In conclusion, it may not be i'm
proper for me to suggest to members
of our order that in the discussion
of the questions of State policy, as
citizens--not rs an organization
that they take into the discussion
that broad charity which "construcs
words and deeds in their most favor
able light, granting honesty of pur-
pose and good intentions to others" "
Yours fratcrnally.
e. ~. STACKHoUsE,
President S. G.. S. +. A.