The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1890-08-29

Lie AOlIOhlLS IcctuI0 WAS ISctHLll
delivered in the SunfOwer Alliance by
its lecturer, E. N. Siapleton. 1t was
not intended as a newspaper article,
and it is only by general request of
the members that it is offered FOR pub
licatiOn:
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Bro. President and Frseads of The 1Atli-
dnce:
have selected as the subject for
few thoughts the question What are
we doirgy' may not stick very
closely to my text, but preachers do
not always do that This has been an
every day question ever since the Alli-
a;ice lias been organised. BY some it
is asked with the fear that we are not
doing enough; by others with the fear
that we are doing too much. This
question is not only asked outside of
the Alliance but now and then by some,
one in the Alliance. BY some it is
asked with Il true and sincere purpose
tn investigate and inform. themselves
and desire to advance the interests
of the order; by others through mere
curiosity to know what is going on;
then again by those who are opposed
to the Alliance in sense OF derision,
often accompanied with sneering re-
marks. AS to whether we are doing
;iuything, or not, depends largely upon
the ability of the mind to comprehend.
Some minds are far-seeing and fitr-
reaching and can readily grasp the sit
nation of affairs, read the signs of the
times, and, to Il certain extent, pene-
trate the illimitable future; while
others, with narrow and 1rejudiced
minds and contracted ideas, can sell
dom get beyond the border of their
own prejudices TO witness any good re-
Silt whatever. Indeed, sOme have no
higher conception of the duties and
purposes of the Alliance than to be-
lieve that its mission is to denounce
and boycot merchants, and build Alli-
ance stores, and because our action in
this direction has not been so marked,
as they desire, they are ready to lend
discouragement tn the cause by saying
that we are doing nothing.
Rome was not built in a day and it
is expecting too much of an infant or
ganizatiOn to rise at once into IL Nigh
t. giaiit. The work befnre us is great,
covering the reform of our political,
conditions, and connot be accomplish
ed in day. The duties OF al army
are first to become thoroughly organ
lied, disciplined and equipped, and, it
will even then often meet with defeat
before accomplishing its purpose. We
have many difficulties to contend with
one of which is our lack of means to
make our purchases abroad: Another
is IL selling cur products Will sttivant-
age to our selves for want Of establish
ed methods, lower rates Of tra!lSporta-
lion. and Il lack of knowledge as 10
the responsibility and integrity Of The
persons to whom we Eiake our conSiSn-
meuts. Time and experience must
largely he our teacher i'll this direc-
lion. We should all like to endorse
the sentiment of home trade and make
our merchants feel good toward us.
If they have been kind and obliging.
and have carried us on their book, it
Seems as though we should return that
kindness by continuing to give them
our patronage. Indeed, il seems eX-
trenely cheeky and seemingly dishon-
est to leave your merchant with debt
unpaid, and spend your money some
Where else, but, circumstances greatly
alter cases. 1t must be remembered
/ that of the money you have paid on
your purchases large PERCENTAGE was
paid for that accommodation, and if you
find that you have gotten behind in
your accounts and that with the closest
economy you find it impossible to get
or keep even, and that the merchant
has gotten out of patience with you
1 hnf ion l,f .V,A-
ship after all, only depends upon the
measure of your dollars and cents.
Then it may become matter of JUS
tice to yourself, and the merchant also.
to buy your goods in the cheapest mar
ket, and with the profits you save,
| AIT as much more as you can COM
mand, pay on your Indebtedness 10 the
merchant. The principle of buying in
the cheapest market and selling i'll the
highest has become necessary as a
matter Of self preservation to the far
mer. l shall not disrob6 the mer-
chants family or taste the viands OF
his table, to make comparisons between
his and the farmers family. If the
merchants family enjoys a greater de-
gree of comfort than slsat of the far.
mer's, L do not envy them that com
fort, for comfort and the betteriDg OF
ones condition is what we all should
seek. The merchant may tell US that
he is making nothing" and, beyond
his comfortable everyday life, l an
not disposed to dispute this fact.
know that the condition of things i
such that he cannot make much unles
he holds a monopoly i'll trade; or sell
J at high prices; but that does not es
. tabiisif tile fact that the farmer is I'm
der obligation to support the Iherchan
by paying him high profit on hi
goods. Generosity and self-sacriiic
!, are cardinal virtues, but not if we den.
D needed help and comfort to our famii
les and give to those who may be les
m need. We are told TO spend OH
| money i'll our own town. This, unde
2 certain conditions, would be good ad
l vice, and IL every one did so-merchant
t and manufacturers as well-it wOul
: be a. good protective measure. The
{ if we produced more than We coul
consume, we would soon have a littl
= export trade to add 10 our circulatln
T medium, and thus be q prosperous III
e tie community within ourselves; BIZ
{ with 10 prospect for such conditio
5 oil things it is vain to indulge III sue
: a thought.
+ To those who delight III niathematit
4 al problems it might be IA question d
} to now much of the money paid 10 til
e merchant of your town would RENAL
and circulate, or return to the farme
as cash for his produce, since the nsel
3, chant sends about all he gets east j
D payment OF his bills or for ROre good