Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-06-13
THE FARMERs' ALLIANCE.

THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
This essay was recently read in a meeting Of
SubAliance, No, 2254, and is published by re.
quest.-EDIToR herald
''The plain farmers who at Pool
vile, Parker county, Texas, on the
28th of July, 1879, made the first Al
lance plant, little dreamed that in
the short space of a decade the order
which they established with doubt
and misgivings, as to its future, would
grow to be the strongest organization
of farmers the world has ever known.
Truly no seed is lost, and our deeds
live on. From MOrgan's History of
the Alliance, I quote the following
account of it's first year ct seems
that the name originated IN Tampa
sas county, Texas, about four years
previous to the organization at Pool
vile. The organization in Lampasas
county, was for the purpose of pro-
tecting the farmers from the depre-
dations of the wealthy cattle kings,
who preferred that the country should
remain in an unsettled state. The
existence of this organization was
however of short duration. Among
its members was w. T. Baggett of
Coryell county, who in 1879 moved
to Parker county, and there sorgan-
lzed the first Alliance at Poolville.-
It seems that the organization in
Lampasas and adjoining counties,
though originally organized for the
protection of farmers, had became
through the selfshness of some of its
members, a means by which they ex-
pected to secure political prominence
and lucrative positions This proved
fatal to its existence and the Organi-
cation soon died out. At the time of
the organization at Poolville, every
thing of a political nature was elm
mated from the original declaration
of principles, and from this small be-
ginning the order was destined to be-
come one of the grandest agricultur-
al organizations the world has ever
known"
The declaration Of purposes has
been but slightly changed since. The
second and seventh articles have been
added to those adopted by the Pool.
vile organization. From this organ.
ization the order gradually spread
through Parker and adjoining coun
ties. In a short time twelve sub-al-
liances met at Antral in Parker coun
ty, and organized state alliance
Several meetings of the body were
held during the year 1879, bat the
work Of peEfeetiRg a new o0nstltu
ton and ritual was not completed IN
til the following year. Like all new
organizations but little interest wa
manifested in the order by the public
during the early stages Of its ezis
tenoe. But strong, true hearted
brave men, nobly battled for the prin
= ciples it set forth. They were deepl.
impressed with its Importance and de
- termlned to impress their conviction
upon the minds IF their brQtbe
farmers. For years they had born
i burdens and impositions which ha,
taxed their patience to the utmost ex
tent and from which they determine
to free themselves. Individual effor
could accomplish nothing, organize
ton was their only relief. 1t was
/ noble effort, those few men battling
against such fearful odds. But
spirit of unrest was pervading th
whole agricultural community. TIL
? yoke of bondage was becoming NOR
CALLING every day. The order at frs
grew Slowly but its growth was of
character which gave it strength an
responsibility,
The benificenoe Of the grand prir
ciples has attracted to the ranks c
the Farmers Alliance one-tenth c
, the best farmers of the land. The
come together with no iH-win tC
+ wards any class or condition Of meI
o but seek their mutual advantage b
unity Of action, bepnd togethersby
= common interest, and the'petil5 Of
comthon danger. Our declaration {
purposes is the Inspiration OF wisdol
and wisdom, expressed in the simp
u. Is 3 - g
l lsIl3 IS IT 3tti%5f ST. featt9 SG 89!3F.
% are't clothed. 1t contains no OStent
81 81 - 1854 IL - :DlE-.lGS ~ = Z.