The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-05-07
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
1T CANNOT TEMPORIZE OR
COMPROMISE.
Some Plain Talk in Regard to
the Duty of Membership.
National Economist. !

| National Economist.l
There was never a period in the
eventful history of the Alliance when
the duty of membership carried with
it a greater significance than at the
present time. The Alliance in its
rapid growth has reached the danger
line, and as consequence must pre-
pare for every emergency. 1t is not
mere theory that now confronts it,
but live condition, aud one that calls
for careful consideration, backed up
with fidelity and devotion to its prin-
ciples. 1t is to this fidelity among
the common brotherhood that the
Order must look for security and
defence. Wise leadership will fail
when unsupported by a true and loyal
constituency, while honesty OF purpose
and continuity of effect will in the end
succeed in spite oferror and falsehood.
The principles of the Alliance will
stand if advocated and demanded by
an intelligent, trustworthy and deter
mined element of the people no matter
if every prominent member in the
Order goes down, but when the rank
and file, as it is termed, fail to come
up to the full measure of their duty
as members the cause is lost and the
end is near.
The Alliance is now in the outer
edge of the coming storm. 1t is con-
fronting the wind puffs and showers
whichare more annoying than injurious,
but, before six months has rolled by,
it will be in the very midst of the
warning elements where courage and
fidelity are the only means of safety.
The destruction of the Alliance was
determined upon Immediately after
the late election, and the preliminary
details of that decision are now being
carried out in Mississippi and Missouri.
Since the St. Louis meeting in 1880,
the growth of the Alliance has been
phenomenal, and the rapldity of
education among the membership in
regard to national affairs has been
wonderful. When the politicians re-
turned home late last summer from
the first session of Congress, they were
awe-stricken at the condition of affairs
The election soon followed, with results
still more appalling. Then came the
maneuvering, figuring and juggling
for political existence. Schemes, plots
and intrigues were concocted upon
both sides to rid the political field of
the Alliance and its obnoxious prin-
ciples. Men who had joined the
Alliance and conld command any
following were approached by those
conspirators against the general good.
Some had their price, like Judas, others,
perhaps the greater number, were led
astray with promises of political pre-
ferment, and few no doubt through
jealousy and resentment. These three
disintegrating factors are now at work
trying.to destroy the power, il not the
very life of the Alliance. Their
methods are different, but the purposes
are the same, and can be easily de-
tected when examined by the true test
of an earnest, loyal membership.
The Alliance can not afford to tenn
porize or compromise. They that are
not for the Alliance and its demands
as adopted at its national meeting
are against it. There is no middle
ground. II member of the Alliance
cannot stand by the Ocala demands
he should step down and out OF the
Order. These demands have been
accepted and adopted as the platform
of principles of the Order and every
member who seeks to breed strife and
discomfort among the brotherhood,
in regard to the whole or part, is an
enemy of the Alliance, and should be
tereated as such. The duty of member
ship should prompt every loyal brother
to submit to the will of the majority
or quietly withdraw. 1t is on such
spirit as this that the fortunes of the
Alliance must depend, and by its
perfect work its future progress will
be marked. Fidelity and full dis
charge of duty to the Order will detect
and drive out this extraneous matter,
and keep the Alliance pure and healthy
when nothing else will. Let the
brethren therefore make new resolve
to bring everything up to the test of
the true membership. Keeping in
mind that charity which is always kind,
but spruning with contempt those
agencies which seek 10 corrupt and
destroy, let them resolve upon renewed
fidelity to the doctrines of the Oorder,
and an unflinching discharge at any
and all times of the duties OF member
ship, and all will be well.