The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-26
RISING SUM- CECIL COUNTY, MD. FRIDAY JUNE 10, 1891.


the order, held at Ocala in December,
1890, articles of consolidation were
agreed upon by which the Farmers Nut
u4l Benefit association, which has 500,-
600 members in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
and neighboring states, and the National
Colored Farmers Alliance. which has a
membership of nearly 100000 chiefly
in the south, will become part of the
great Alliance.
The Alliance is secret organization,
having its secret work in the manner of
other semi-ksSzal orders. Its member
ship is not strictly confined to farmers,
but il, les in herural population. Both
sexes b&re admitted to membership, with
sixteen as the minimum age The rules
permit the admission of country doctors,
preachers, mechanics and school teach
ers. Persons engaged in any of the fol-
lowing occupations are excluded: Mer-
chants. bankers, brokers, commission
merchants, cotton, grain or produce buy
ers, lawyers, city doctors, preachers and
school teachers; land agents, book
agents, peddlers, canvassers, livery sta
BILE keepers and saw mill men; all deal
ers, spectators and gamblers, and any
others whose greatest interests do not
harmonic with farming. When per-
son is engaged in farming, and in addi-
tion thereto follows one of the occupa-
tions that are not admitted, the rule is
that he cannot be admitted; but the as
sociation is allowed to make some ex-
ceptions, under conditions prescribed in
the laws of the order.
The purposes of the Alliance, as off,
cially declared, are these:
ITO labor for the education Of the ag-
ricultural classes in the science of eco
nomic government in a strictly non-par-
tisan spirit. To indorse the motto, In
things essential, unity; and in all things
charity To develop a better state,
mentally, morally, socially and financial
ly To create q better understanding
for sustaining civil officers in maintaining
law and order. To constantly strive to se-
cure entire harmony and good will among
all mankind and brotherly love among
ourselves. To suppress personal, local,
sectional and national prejudices, all un-
healthy rivalry and selfish ambition. To
assuage the sufferings of brother or
sister, bury the dead, care for the wild
ows and educate the orphans; to exer-
else charity toward offenders; to con-
strue words and deeds in their most IA
vorablelight, granting honesty ofpurpose
and good intentions to others, and to pro-
tect the principles Of the Alliance unto
death"
The governing body is the supreme
council, which is composed of delegates
from the state organizations. The ex-
ecutiye officers are president, vice pres
ident. secretary and treasurer. The sub
ordinate Alliances seek to provide the
members with such social, educational
and commercial advantages as can be
gained by cooperation. They endeavor
to secure the highest price for the prod
uce raised for sale and the lowest price
on the commodities that must be pur-
chased. OF the political methods of the
Alliance one Of its official declarations is:
"Our political methods are strictly
non-partisan and must ever remain SO,
because every candidate before taking
the pledge is assured that it will in no
way conflict with his political or relig-
ious views. All political parties are rep
resented in our ranks, and all are ex-
pected to work in their respective parties
to secure just recognition of the rights
of the farmer. All questions in politi-
cal economy will be thoroughly dis
cussed, and when the order can agree on
a reform as necessary they will demand
it of the government and of every politi-
cal party. and if tho demand goes un-
needed they will devise ways to enforce
it. The most essential reforms must
come from legislation, but that does not
necessarily compel the responsibility Of
choosing candidates and filing the
offices. Such a course may become nec-
essary, but will not be resorted to under
any other circumstances.
1t is somewhat of an anomaly, in view
of this declaration of its political policy.
that the Alliance is almost universally
regarded as primarily political organ
ization. Such, in fact, it has become,
though it has by no means neglected its
other aims. That it has not been idle in
securing commercial cooperation among
its members may be judged by the fact
that the Alliance exchanges did bust
ness of more than $40, 900, 900 in 1890.