The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-04-01

date is beginning to SILVER in the colo
air of the room
The Supreme Spanker sat upon q
bale of hay He ordered the bandage
removed from the candidates eyes,
remarking that he had perhaps pro-
gressed far enough to stand the light
of the Alliance; and, besides, he was
to 60 through another orleal that re-
quired all of mans faculties to en-
dure.
The seeker after light was then led
Up to a barrel, and in twlnklinG
stretched over it.
Bring forth the subtreasury plank, '
commanded the Supreme Spanker,
''and convince the new brother that
it is not rotten one, but made Of
good, sound timber. Let the High
Executioner do his duty like good
and true Alliance man, while we will
all sing, Once I was blind, but nov l
can see.
Forty times that plank rose in the
air and came down with a mighty
thump, before the writhing victim
was released and carried before the
Supreme Spanker again, to have the
lesson he had just received explained.
"You have passed through one of
the most beautiful and edifying chap
ters in the Alliance mode of initia
ton. You have publicly asserted
that we have only one plank in our
platform and that rotten one. I
feel assured that you are now prepar-
ed to correct this statement, and as
sert that our sub-treasury plank is
one Of the soundest you ever felt. We
have several other planks, as we can
prove to your satisfaction if so desired.
Oh! you say you are satisfied! Well,
be careful in the future how you
speak slurringly of something you
know nothing about. Now carry the
candidate, Brother conductor, for
other useful lessons, and while he is
on the move let the members sing:
This is the way long have sought
The Great Drencher had on the
table before him three black feathers
and a goblet half filled with what ap-
peared to be old Bourbon.
"After his long fatiguing pilgrim
age our brother is doubtless in need
of rest and refreshments. Place a
chair that be may be seated. "
This was done, but by some slight
of-hand the candidate made miss,
and landed upon the floor.
"NIy unfortunate brother, you have
now learned the uncertainty Of politi-
cal campaigns. Just as man thinks
he has found nice, comfortable seat,
the Alliance slips it from beneath him,
and painful indeed is his disappoint-
ment. spoke just now Of refresh
ments, and had prepared nice mess
of corn for you; but I now discover
in your recent speech YOU made be.
fore the Alliance convention, that you
have already eaten all the sub-treas-
ury crow except few tail feathers.
But here is a glass Of Jeffersonian
Democracy, according to the Epistle
OF Romans, that you were so partial
to a short time since This is the
last of the cask and please swallow
the same. Well if YOU hesitate, l
have to order the grand eXecutioner
to show you another one Of the planks
in our platform. Ah, you find that
the liquid is encased in glass so that
it will not wet your parched lips.
That, my brother, is Jetfersonian
Democracy. 1t is very nice to look
upon, but like Dead Sea fruit, is
tasteless. This shows you that to de-
pend on other classes than the ALI
ance and the organized Democracy
for Office and honor is to partake of
phantom lunch.
This, my newly-made brother, ends
the first degree in the Farmers Ali
ance. I trust the great beautiful
truths you have seen illustrated to-
day will make lasting impression
on your mind. The brethren will
now Join hands and while they march
around the new member sing: Once
I was lost, but now I am found.
Thus ended one of the most enter
tanning ceremonies ever performed IN
our State.
It is to be regretted that every ALI
ance man in Georgia could not ha We
have witnessed the snatching of this
distinguished brand from the fire
built around it by the politicians.
III ;f!-r H-,fE ACRES