The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-07-16
A Plea For Free Speech.

To the Editor of the Ne,cs and Courier:
a member of the Farmers Alliance and
endorsing its purpose and intent, do
not consider myself bound to surrender
either conscience or intelligence 10 the
behests of any man or party within the
Alliance, nor do 1 so construe my obli.
cations as a faithful member of that
organization. Profoundly impressed
with the conviction that many of my
brethren need enlightenment of the
discussed sub-treasury question, it is
manifestly unreasonable-to use mild
term-to claim majority of members of
the Alliance as in favor of that measure.
Primarily our organization is an edu-
cational one. The original promoters
and founders of the Order we're undoubt.
edly right in demanding that the farmer
should cease to be blind and helpless
waif and that in the face of the many
powerful forces arrayed against him he
should be placed in position to combat
effectively all iniquitous obstacles to his
legitimate welfare and progress.
Briefly, the farmers have gone to
school and are learning rapidly much that
is steadily lifting them up to a place
where, shoulder to shoulder, they are
finding themselves possessed Of power
which, conservatively exercised, will
sooner OF later obtain solid and lasting
benefit. say, "conservatively e1er.
cised," otherwise the issue will be more
than doubtful, and it is just here where
the caution fsstina lente-hasten slowly
is peculiarly appropriate.
As already said the Farmers Alliance
is prominently an educational institution.
Our farmers are receiving and assimilat'
ing much valuable knowledge, but every
honest Alliance man will confess it
they do not know everything, and it
would be rank folly to give them credit
for that profound experience and states.
manship which alone can qualify them
to Judge broadly and soundly on such a
question as that of the sub.treasury.
And yet some of our brethren who are
enthusiasts in favor of this scheme would
demand blind and unquestioning en-
dorsement of it by every Alliance MEM
Der
A "majority" thus exhibited would
simply indicate meekneas and submis'
sion on the part Of vastly many which
would be greatly more deplorab!e than
praiseworthy, as it would plainly indi.
cate pitiful acceptance Of situation
the merits of which igporance-if blame.
less ignorance-must render them inca.
pable of comprehending.
In view of the magnitude Of such ques'
tions as that of the btreasury. ques.
tions the wise and careful solution of
which means safety and prosperity, and
the rash and impetuous solving more
than possibility of far reaching disss'
ters, especially to the farmer, is it right
is it not hagrantly wrong to keep silence
and not utter word of warning?
To conclude, the situation clearly
demands that advocates on both sides be
heard and that no Alliance trade mark
be allowed to prejudice the calm and
deliberate discussion of the pros and
cons.
To my brothers of the Alliance, to
whose manhood and independence these
words are addressed, would simply say
take care and ego ahead" only when you
are-from your own ability to judge
"sure you are right"
I necessarily do not shield myself be-
hind fictitious name.
HENRY EUBANKs. :
Greenv;We County, july 8, 1891.