Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-12-03
PRESIDENT BIDDLE's REMARKS.
He Renws his Deelaration--ThIs Conf
denoe Shall be held Sacred as
Life Itself-The Plan.
To the members Of the +. A. g. l. y. Of
Kansas.

70 which you have called me, deem IL
my first duty TO express my profound
appreciation OF the confidence expressed
by you in thus bestowing such distin-
guished honors upon me, and hereby
renew my declaration made 10 the state
corncil, that "this confidence shall be
held as sacred as life itself, and SOL
emnly promise you that SO far as my
judgment shall dictate, your interests
shall be sacredly guarded and promoted.
also gladly avail myself OF this op-
portunity TO congratulate you tand my
self ALSO on our good fortune In secur-
ing as eounsvlers for your chief exeeu-
tive such noble brothers and sisters, OF
such excellent abilities and fitness for
their several positions, whose earn
honest and self-sacrifcing devotion 70
the cause Of humanity, and whose years
OF constant service and efficient labors
in our order since itssearliest history in
our state, whose uprightness Of life ard
moral character places each entirely
above reproach, and commands for them
the confidence and respect OF our entire
membership, as also that OF all lovers OF
good morals who feel an interest in the
principles of righteousness truth and
justice. With such officers in charge,
the safety OF all our interests is insured
for the ensuing year.
desire to impress upon the minds of
the entire brotherhood that this is in
tended TO be year of special effort in
the line OF education upon the several
lines OF interest TO our people, and not
ours only but TO all industrial classes,
for TO draw the line between us as TO the
interests OF all is not plain TO my mind
In taking up this work we will de-
pend largely upon our lecture system as
| provided for at our state meeting at Sa-
lima, and which is under the supervis-
ion and control OF the state president,
and for the further establishing OF our
congressional district organizations,
with such changes as will be found nee
essary from practical experience. /
feel that it IS very important that this
] plan should be properly understood,
therefore | herein give short outline
OF the plan agreed upon, which, we be-
lieve, II understood, will commend itself
/ to every member OF our order, and TO
which il is hoped unanimous support
will be given
The state lecture board will consist OF
the state and assistant state lecturers,
with the several district lecturers.
| These will be called together and Will
| thoroughly consider such questions or
topics as shall be agreed upon; then
these will be taken up in our several
district meetings, composed Of the dis
trict and county lecturers OF the dis
| trict, where similar proceedings will be
instituted with the assistant OF the state
or assistant state lecturer, and so on
down to county meetings, there insti-
tuting same proceedings, with the dis
trict lecturer in charge.
II affords me real satisfaction to say to
you, my brothers and sisters, that in
Brother Scott and Sister Mccormick
you have very able and efficient lectur-
ers, who will prove to the satisfaction
OF all their eminent fitness for their
high calling. So therefore, besDeak
for them a full attendance upon tho
meetings wherever they are announced
to speak, and cordial reception al ev-
cry point; but remember that inasmuch
as this is TO be year OF education, but
little time can be given TO public meet
ings for the present, as our lecturers
will require all the time that can he
given them at your county meetings,
for it will require at least two addresses
of from one and one-half to two hours
each.
Brothers, permit me to urge upon
you that you give attention as never be
fore to the study OF business interests
and advantages ta be had by and
through cooperation. I uuhcsitatng-
ly DECLARE as | have many times before,
that If we, as farmers, only knew the
power we possess, and how to utilize
that power the benefits that would be
derived thereby are beyond the compre-
hension of a single mind, and that, too
without injury to any Legitimate insti-
tuition, profession or industry. To ac-
quire this knowledge is the work before
Us, and to assist in accomplishing this
work will be the policy of your present
administration.
feel IL duty incumbent upon me as
your chief executive TO most seriously
impress upon your minds, my brethren,
the fact that the Farmers Alliance and
Industrial Union is purely and abso-
lutely an industrial organization. whose
objects and purposes are distinctly and
unequivocally set forth in our deelara-
tion OF purposes and that strict adher-
ence to these is insisted upon by your
present ad dministration.
Space forbids my placing before YOU
in this address more than brief ac-
count OF the splendid achievements of
our business institutions and fraterual
work. Suffice il to say that in our farm
line OF Insurance alone, enough was
saved to the patrons Of this single in
stitution last year to more than three
times pay the expenses Of the state ALI
ance for the entire year, and through
the purchase OF one single article near
lv $500, 900 we're saved 10 the farmers Of
rThfe s1 ~ mont -
the benefits derived through this chan
by cooperation, to say nothing Of
lucal savings.
Then above either OF these as a bene-
ft bestowing provision is our life plan
OF mutual insurance Its conditions OF
membership give US an advantage over
all others as to the cost OF securing and
maintaining policies.
Brothers and sisters as your prcsi-
dent who has an earnest abiding CON
cern for the good OF all let me urge
each Of YOU to give this matter your
earnest, unpreudiced consideration.
for in this department we have made
provisions for carrying out the grand
est and nOblest purposes OF our order.
viz: Caring for the widows and or
phans. and developing the principles OF
the universal brotherhood Of man. and
the divine injunction Of Bear ye one
auothers burdens, and so fulfill the law
Of Christ
In conclusion let me assure you that
we are entering upon the years labor
full Of hope and confidence, notwith-
standing our consciousness Of the im-
OF the task before MS; and were
ID not for the unmistazable evidence ON
every hand of universal harmony and
unanimity OF sentiment the united suu-
port Of the grand. noble and efficient
around me. who are tried
and true; and were il not for the right
Of our cause. the abiding faith
In Him whose servants we are who has
said, If any lack wisdom let him ask
of God, who givcth 10 all literally, and
Tor the confidence We have In the last
ing devotion Of the membership Of our
order % the eternal principles Of right
truth and justice, and their
fidelity 70 our cause, I certainly would
Il 4 L.. k~.--