Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1891-08-26
'er and unity under such an onslaught

per anu unl1y un0er Such an onslaught
should be a source of congratulation
to every member of the alliance, and
ample proof as to the justness and
equity Of its principles In every re-
form effort some must take the lead.
This is in perfect accord with the nat
ural order of things and is no dispar-
agement either direct or implied, to
the great body of earnest and honest
people who constitute the majority.
Those who have stood at the front up
holding the banner of the alliance have
met with such a storm of abuse, villifi-
cation and SANDER as has seldom fallen
to the lot of men in an unselfish work.
Private character has been assailedA
public efforts impugned and everything
that cunning could devise. or mendac-
1ty employ, has been made use of to de-
stroy prominent mem bers of the order,
and thereby divide and weaken the al
lance. That all such attempts have
failed, and that the brethren have
calmly considered these matters and de-
clded for themselves, is another evi-
dence of unity that should warm the
hearts and strengthen the determine
ton OF every loyal member. Again,
the public press, especially the subsi-
died portion, has persistently mis-.
represented the condition of the order.
A false report would be sent out
from Kansas stating that the alli.
ance was being disrupted on account
OF the sub-treasury plan. This would
be taken up by all the leading dailies
both north and south, and heralded all
over the land. Another equally false
statement would be given out through
the same channels, that the alliance in
Texas was breaking to pieces for SINH
lar reasons No matter what evidence
might be given that these reports were
untrue, not line could be got into the
columns OF those papers to inform the
people OF the facts. A vicious attack
planned at Nashville. St Louis or To-
peka would be printed simultaneously
in New YORK., Charleston. Chicago and
all other large business centers, prov
ing conclusively the existence of a plan
OF campaign against the alliance from
this source. The only method of re-
futing such falsehoods was through the
slow process of the weekly papers
Yet the brethren have waited patiently
before judging or making any demon.
strations until such information could
be obtained, and have almost univer.
sally accepted the explanations and as.
suranceS contained in their alliance
papers In fact it is doubtful II all the
unfair, misleading and false reports
given out by the subsidized press have
changed the opinions of dozen mem.
bers OF the entire order, while the ridi-
n hv1So nf
alliance is known to have started
hundreds of good men to investigate
these demands, which in turn has been
of great benefit to the order Here, al
SO. is fruitful source for congratulation
and should not be lost sight of in count.
ing up the victories of the past year.
The action of the recent state meeting
in South Carolina and the abject fail
ure OF the recalcitants in Texas disclose
the strength and unity of the order in
manner not to be misunderstood. Six
new state organizations have been
added, the number OF papers nearly
doubled, and the membership largely
increased. All this has been accom-
plished in the face of violent opposition
and sometimes under discouraginp con-
ditions. To be able to hold what had
been previously gained would be con-
sidered highly satisfactory under the
circumstances, but to be able to show
positive gains should be not only graft
flying but encouraging to all. One
more season Of progress like the past
will place the alliance where it can
laugh at its enemies and will have
power to work out the reforms it has
so courageously and intelligently cham
pioned. Every true member of the alli-
ance should take renewed interest in
the order and continue the contest re-
vived and refreshed by this reassuring
condition of alliance affairs. National
Economist