The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-04-01
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ALLIANCE
MADE PUBLIC.
Full Text of the Initiation Ceremonies at
the Introduction OF Gen. Gordon into
the Order.

| Full Text OF the Initiation ceremonies i'll
the Introduction OF Gen. Gordon into
the Order.
The Athens. Ga, Banner is respon-
sible for the following exposition OF
the valuable secrets connected with
the Alliance. In an interview with a
prominent Allianceman in that coun-
tv, he admitted to the Banner man
the correctness Of the report, except
that the full number of boards We're
not used on the distinguished candi-
date for Alliance honors.
Gen. Gordon is now a full tledged
Allianceman, and will hereafter be
made to toe the mark, and address
Livingston, Macune, and Harry Brown
as "brother The initiation of this
distinguished gentleman went through
without a jostle, and was witnessed
by large and enthusiastic audience
of Alliancemen.
At the risk OF being shot for expos
ing the secrets Of our order, will give
the Banner a full report of the i'm
pressive ceremony that snatched Gen
eral Gordon from the clutches Of the
politicians and made him an humble
disciple of the plow.
The candidate was escorted into the
ante room of the Alliancemen by q
body guard of farmers. He mani
tested some nervousness when his
conductors demanded that he parti-
ally disrobe and submit to the ordea!
OF being curried off with corn cob
and rubbed down with a bundle of
fodder; the reason for this phantom
agricultural bath being that it was
necessary to cleanse his person from
the communicating effects Of too close
a contact with Atlanta politicians. JET
fersonian Democrats, Independents
and other unclean elements, and that
be might enter the realms of agrl-
cultural bliss. He was then arrayed
in pair of copperas pants, upheld
by one suspender, and a hickory shirt,
wool hat, and brogan shoes The Al
lance (his guide explained) was no
respecter of persons, and every mem
Der must be on an equal footing.
Three raps were given on the dge
room door, and sepulchral voice
from vith;n demanded.
"Who comes there ?"
Ga poor penitent who is grovellng
in darkness, and asks that the light Of
the Alliance be turned upon him,
was the reply.
'Is the candidate tiller of the
soil?' was the next query from with
in.
He SAYS he has always been tie
best friend the farmers Of Georgia
ever had was the eTasive response.
''See if there are any corns IN his
hands or cockle-bur in bis hair? was
the command.
''rhe seeker of light says he is only
q farmer by proxy, and the corns are
in the hands of the men who work his
land" was the response.
'Does the candidate ask admlttance
into our order of his own volition, and
is he prepared to pass through the Or
deal of initiation ,"
"He does and he is" was the reply
from without.
"Let the candidate then remain in
darkness until his eyes are prepared
to receive the great light that the Al
lance will turn upon him and he can
be admitted into our sacred preclnts,
was the next order.
The eyes of the applicant for Alli-
ance knowledge were bandaged with
second hand guano sack, the door
of the lodge room thrown open, and
Georgia's Ex-Governor and United
States Senator, for the first time in
his life, found himself in the inner
sanctuary of the farmers lair He
was marched three times around the
room, while the members welcomed
him with:
while the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return.
With gee and "haw" the candi-
date was escorted to the Grand Iy-
coon, who used as chair of state the
small end of bale of cotton.
"Our would-be brother, your hu.
initiating entry into this room teaches
YOU useful lesson. a few minutes
AGO YOU came to US reeling with the
odor of the politician, and arrayed in
the paraphernalia OF q great man. You
were stripped of your fine apparel,
which means that you must also leave
behind you in your future communl-
cations with farmers your worldly Dig
nifty, or the Alliance will strip you Of
your honors, as easily as it did of your
tailor-made garments. All men ex-
cept the nigger) are free and equal.
The odious bandage that obscured
your vision is necessary attachment
to the farm; and while it teaches an
Alli.nceman that he must not expect
his pathway through life to be sprink-
led with altar of roses, will be spec
ial reminder to you of the offensive
manner that you spoke of our leaders
and friends during your recent cam
paign. The conductor will now con-
vev the candidate to the High and
Mighty Hister for further instruction,
while tie brethren will please sing:
On Jordan's stormy banks | stand.
The H. and NJ. Hister was squat
ting between the handles of a plow
stock. Without further ado the can
didate had an iron hook fastened in