The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-23
A POWER IN THE LAND.
TaE NATIONAL FARMERS ALL
ANCE AND INDUSTRIAL UNION.

a 0OlOreO DFanCh. Win an Exist
eace in Thirty States, Solving the
Race Problem.
From the Washington Post.
What can l tell YOU about the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union p
ssked Nelson A. Cunning of the National
Economist, repeating the inquiry of the
FoSt reporter. "WelI, just now | might
EEL great deal on that subject. | see that
they have obtained recognition IN gaining q
nomination for governor in one state. and
are making a vigorous contest for similar
nomination in another, while numerous
congressman, especially in the south and
west, have become uneasy because Of the
unc rtainty of their denomination and the
strength exhibited by the alliance. They
are showing their hand, and to some pur-
pose"
What is the estimated strength of the
organizations"
ut Is pretty thoroughly systematized and
in complete working order There is a ma
| tio1al, state, county, and sub-cOuntv body
in those states where the organization is
complete, with full roster of membership.
| should think that there were some 10, 900
! secretaries and over 100000 names on the
roll. The central or main bureau is right
here In this district, and from the statistics
| obtalnable the status OF the order can be as
certained. L am sure that any person suffi-
| GENTLY interested to investigate will be con-
siderably surprised at the steady and rapid
| growth Of the order. 1t has come to stay,
and both parties will hear from it and be
hurt by it, too"
I'm how many states are you fully or
ganissdN
sin Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, North
| nnth halyA
Indiana, Kansas. Kentucky, Louisiana,
Missouri, Maryland, Mississippi, North
| Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
| Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois. In
| West Virginia we will be in shape by Aug
~, and In Michigan two days later. Oar
| people are busily at work IN the states of
New York, Pennsylvania, California,
Washington and Oregon, and they expect
| to have them all in line with us by the
coming fall. Nothing has yet been done In
| New England, not because of lack of SYM
| pathy In the movement, but owing to want
Of time. They will not be forgotten, and
| eventually be with u.s."
when and where did this order origi-
natea"
The first farmers alliance was organ
lied In Lampasas county, Texas, in 1876
| The objects we're TO resist the unlawful
depredations of cattle and land thieves and
bring the law breakers to justice. 1t spread
out rapidly, and three years later the State
| Alliance was formed, and subsequently, the
name changed to Farmers State ALI
ance.' 1t continued to grow until six coun-
ties were represented, when meeting was
held, and the following declaration of pur-
| poses was adopted:
| Profoundly impressed that we, the Farmers
| Alliance, united by the strong and faithful ties
| OF financial aud home interests should set
| forth our declaration of intentions, We there.
| fore, resolve:
1. To labor for the education of the agricul-
| tural classes in the science of economical gov
| eminent, in a strictly non partisan spirit
2. To indorse the motto, In things essential,
unity; and in all things charity"
| 3. To develop n better state, mentally NOR
| ally, socially, and financially.
1. To create bstter understanding for sus-
tanning civil officers in maintaining law and
| order.
| 5 To constantly strive to secure entire har-
Inony and good will among all mankind, and
broth TI love among ourselves.
D. 10 suppress personal, local sectional and
national preJudces; all unhealthy rivalry and
| all selfish ambition.
The brightest jewels which it gamers are the
| tears Of widows and orphans and it's impera.
| tive commands are to visit the homes where
| lacerated hearts are bleeding; to assuage the
| sutferings of q brother, bury the dead care for
the widows and educate the orphans; to exer-
| else charity toward offenders: to construe
| words and deeds in their most favorable light,
| granting honesty of purpose and good inten-
! lions to others, and to protect the principles of
and equity; its cardinal doctrines inspire purity
of thought and life; its intentions are peace
on earth and good will toward men"
AT the time OF the formation of the
alliance in Texas "a wheel was started in
| Arkansas, which afterwards consolidated
with Brothers of Freedom and created the
National Wheel Later on all these organ
lzatlons and the Farmers Union of Louis
lana met at Waco, Tex, and organized the
Farmers and Laborers' Union OF America,
which Included oil the states comprising the
cotton belt. In December 1888. the No
tional Agricultural Wheel was merged into
this union. AS all these organizations had
the same purpose in view they would be
stronger united than otherwise"
There was another consideration in ad-
dition to those statedgn
''Yes, sir that was a year later, at the
famous meeting in st. Louis in December
last, when the National Farmers Alliance
OF the Northwest and the Farmers and
Laborers' Union of America Joined hands
and adopted the name of the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union.
That Is the body of men you are hearing
from to-day, and who are making life mis-
cradle for the politicians"
"Of course, they put forth declaration
of purposes"
with the exception of a proviso. the
principles set up were similar to those OF
the Texas state alliance. The proviso was
as follows:
WHEREAS The general condition of our conn
try imperatively demands unity of action on the
| part of the laboring classes reformation in
economy, and the dissemination of PRINCIPLES
best calculated to encourage and foster arri
cultural and mechanical pursuits encouragIne
the toiling masseS-leading them in the road to
prosperity, and prov ding a just and fair remu.
neration for labor, a Just exchange for our com.
modities and the best means OF securing to the
laboring classes the greatest amount of good:
| we hold TO the principle that all mOnopolies ara
dangerous to the best interests of our country
tending to enslave free people and subvert
and finally overthrow the great principles pur-
chased to the fathers of American liberty
They hold the alliance meetings in Sc
cret, do they notm
THAT may be, but we have nothing to
conceal Here is ritual, take it aud see
for yourself handing copy to the re-
porter. We have nothing to be afraid of y
The ritual shows the form Of opening. OF
initiation, including the obligation taken.
installation ceremonies and form of closing
but, like that of other secret societies, omits
the secret work.
II will tell you something else YOU
newspaper men have not yet gotten cato.
and wonder at it too" said Mr. Dumping
what is that"
"Why, there is a National Colored Farm
ers' Alliance and Industrial Union. with
brancles all over the country You have
them right here i'll this district MARYLAND