The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-13
ALLIANCES SHOULD NOT DIsBAN4
A Prominent and Patriotic Allianceman
Thinks the Wedgefield Alliance
Made Mistake
1From the State.

Alliance has disbanded. While fully
approaching the reasons given by one
Of the members and your editorial COM
ment on the same, I am inclined to
think their action was mistake and
differ with the conclusions you deduce.
To make my meaning clear, please give
space for the following ''declaration Of
intentions" which is the platform on
which / stand, and the prostitution of
which by the National, State and
County Alliances has brought about
the action of the Wedgefeld Alliance:
PLATFORM OF TRUE ALLIANCE.
Profoundly impressed that we, the
Farmers Alliance, united by the strong
and faithful ties of financial and home
interests, should set forth our declara-
ton OF otintentions; We, therefore, resolve:
!. To labor for the education Of the
agricultural classes in the science Of
economical government in a strictly
non-partisan spirit.
2. To iudorse the motto: "In things
essential, unity; and in all things,
charity"
3. TO develops a better state, mentally,
morally, socially and financially.
I. TO create a better understanding
for sustaining civil officers in maintain
ing law and order.
To constantly strive to secure en-
tire harmony and good will among all
mankind and brotherly love among
ourselves.
6. To suppress personal, local, Sec
tional and national prejudices; all un-
healthy rivalry and all selfish ambition.
I. The brightest jewels which it gar
ners are the tears of widows and or
phans, and its imperative commands
are to visit the homes where lacerated
hearts are bleeding; to assuage the suf-
ferings Of brother or sister, bury the
dead; care for the widows and educate
the orphans; to exercise charity toward
offenders; to construe words and deeds
in their most favorable light, granting
honesty Of purpose and good intentions
to others; and to protect the principles
of the Alliance unto death. Its laws
are reason and equity; its cardinal doc
trines inspire purity of thought and
life; its intentions are "peace on earth
and good will toward men"
Add to this the second plank of the
National Alliance platform adopted
Dec. 7th, 1889, at st. Louis: "That we
demand equal rights to all and special
favors to none,"-and you have, sub
startially, the fundamental principles
of the Alliance. Nor is there one word
in either the National or State consti-
tutions that would nullify or lessen the
force of a single declaration quoted
above. And when any Alliance makes
the acceptance Of the Ocala demands
in full, some of which are in direct con-
aict with the constitution, the test of
membership, it is camping outside the
constitution, and should be resisted by
every true Allianceman.
The above is the platform to which
we subscribed when we joined the
order, with the assurance that our obli-
cation did not 'conflict with our politi-
cal or religious views" This platform,
Mr.. Editor, is the essence of Democracy
and Christianity combined, and is good
enough for every free citizen of this
broad land. Last year when some of
our best men were withdrawing from
the order on account of the course the
Alliance was pursuing, I urged them
to remain in the order and fight for its
principles to the last ditch. Had they
done so, the farcical scene of less than
one sixth Of the farmers and one
eighth of the white voters of this county
attempting to dictate. not only how
the balance shall vote, but how they
shall think, would never have been
enacted. Free thought, free speech
and a free ballot are the inherent rights
of American citizens, and I intend to
exercise them as long as God spares
breath in my body, regardless of what
lecturers, presidents, county, State or
National Alliances may say or do.
And shall exercise them standing
square on the Alliance platform,
whether in or out Of the Alliance.
But to return to the action of the
Wedgefeld Alliance: If they could
not longer afficiate with the dominant
Element" in the organization, they
should have withdrawn and formed an
independent Alliance for mutual bene-
fitand protection. Andas others with
draw they should do likewise, until
county and State organizations could
be effected of farmers who stand square
on the true Alliance platform. This is
the course pursued by religious bodies
when the dominant faction becomes
intolerant, or is "blown about by every
wind of doctrine.' Schisms in the
Church have been condemned by a
great many writers, and regretted by
numbers Of good people, and regarded
by infidels as proof of the fallacy of the
Divine origi. of religion; but they are
really onrv evi6~nce of the force of evil
ever ready to undermine the good, and
have been the means of preserving
''pure and undehled religion" in the
world. What is true Of the religious
world is Of equal force in the business
and social world. The Alliance, where
properly utilized, has done good and
has proven beneficial in an educational,
business and social way to its members
And I would urge the farmers of the
State to have an organization in every
neighborhood, where they may meet
at least once a month to discuss their
affairsand to cooperate, wherever prac-
ticable, in their business arrangements.
Call these organizations Alliances,
oranges, farmers clubs, or whatever
you please, but have them and attend