Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-09-26
Standard McMINNVILLE TENNEssEE-sATURDAY SEPT 1891

1t requires and exact obedience and
carries with it authority.
This resolution demands of all
members of the Alliance that they
sustain the political measures
put forth by the Council, whether they
think them right or wrong. And
this is demanded of men who. on
their initiation, were "assured" that
there was nothing in the obligation
prescribed for them to take as a con-
dition to their admission, that would
"con>flict with their political views"
The legitimate work of the Alliance
politically is educational. Its con-
ventions may bring political ques-
tions before the country for discus
sion and investigation, but, the mo-
ment that they undertake to blend
them with its organism, as its decar-
ed policy, their action is clearly in
violation of its fundamental princi-
Piles,
A demand should be accompanied
with the power to enforceit.
The resolution does not state what
shall be done with the subordinate
bodies" that fail to "align them
selves" with this platform, but we
see no reason why they should not
receive the same treatment as ina
tional officer or organ that shall not
fully conform to it" who are to be
suspended by the National Presi-
dent.
Resolution 9 virtually renders any
member of the Alliance, who cannot
conscientionsly support every politi.
cal measure set forth by the council,
ineligible to the higher offices
of the order. Now, brethren, let me
ask you in the name of common
sense, how are we to expect harmony
under such circumstances When
men belong to an organization they
like to think that they enjoy all
the rights, privileges and i'm
munities that other members do,
and that they may aspire and attain
to its highest honors. Will it be ex-
pected that men, entering proper res
pect for themselves, will consent to
continue their connections with an
organization in which they stand
thus dishonored A?
Had it been understood that relig-
ious or political opinions were to be
held as test Capitalization for mem
bership or Office in this organiza-
ton, there could not have been
found dozen intelligent men in
Tennessee to have joined it.
A secret organization meets in gen.
eral council and makes platform o.
politscal principles or measures, and
demands of its members an uncon-
ditional Endorsement and support.
Now what have we here? A Sc.
cret, oath-bound political party
This is not very popular thing in
this country, and few who read this
have not been called on to defend oul
organization against such a charg e
What defense did you make? You
said that according to the terms O
your admission, the Supreme Coun.
Gil had no authority or right to de-
mand of you or any other member 6
support Of any religious OR politica
platform they might make.
Now in all kindness, l wish to say
to our brethren who are trying t.
carry out this force policy, unity i
desirable, but not an enforced unity
You can pursuade and lead mel
more easily than you can force them
If you undertake to suppress and re
: tire every member who cannot fully
"align" himself with your politica
platforms, you will engender strif
and bitter contentious, and do mucE
to defeat the purposes to be accom-
, plished by our organization.
Make no more platforms, but leav
that to the political parties and en-
gage with renewed energy in tn
t great work of carrying out the origi
e nal purposes of the Alliance; of or
ganizing the producing and indus
5 trial classes into one great brother
S hood, and educating them ina non
A partizan spirit to knowledge ofthei
true interests by proper system @
: lecturing, the dissemination Of AL
: lance literature, and free, unmuz
e zled press, and by fraternal co-Opera
a ton offering an intelligent resistanc
2 To encrOacnmentS of pOWerful ant