Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-04-30


the growth, development, and success
Of the farmers alliance, but there arc
other dangers OF which it has never
spoken. There are dangerous and rocky
coasts which will be fatal TO the good
ship II she is hurled upon them. Light
houses arc erected 70 indicate whore
dangers are. Tho official organ OF the
order would be dierilict la It's duty did
II not point out the dangerous coast as
soon as discovered TO the end that the
membership may steer clear Of all harm
and guide the cause TO triumph. There
are two points OF great danger on the
Atlantic coast, stormy capes Hatieras
and Henlopen, and all vessels going
North or South must pass them; the
danger points are always there and
must be met with courage, zeal and in
telligence. So in the Alliance move
ment there are two danger points which
II met with courage, zeal and inlelli-
gence, threaten wreck. These two
danger points are first, placing politi-
clans in control OF the Offices U the
order; and, second, compromises.
Ii is exactly the proper season OF the
year TO devote TO the study OF these ques-
tions, because very soon the action will
be taken in the subordinate bodies
which chooses and instructs the dele
gates to the county bodies, and what
ever is so started In the primary meeting
permeates through the county and state
TO the national body next November.
There Is no denying the fact that some
pratical politicians are Ineligible to
membership in the alliance. and that
quite a number have become members
Of the order. They NAV often make
good members, but since this Is strictly
afarmers' organization tits evident that
the offices should be filed with farmers
rather than politicians. and the ten.
dency will be for the politician to seek
and get the offices because farmer
thoroughly devoted to the cause is ant
to think that some other person can
conduct the Office better than he. and
consequently hold back, and is GLAD To
vote for some other man, while the pol.
itieian. seeing a means TO a personal
end, pushes himself forward and se-
cures his election; this gives him intlu-
ence, and that IS an important stock in
trade with politician. Politicians
as OliltDfH 90 less 0tiflll In IflH FlDOfUf-
nate BODY than in the county, and less
harm in the county than in the state.
and less harm ia the state
than in the nation. The reason for
this is very plain. The peculiar work
for the subordinate body is personal and
social; that OF the county and state
bodies representative and business CO.
operation; that of the national BODY
representative and cooperation for
political purposes. III the three men
who have held Illinois at bay so long
had been ANYTHING but farmers--if they
had been politicians, they would have
Welded long since. II the national
order ever gets into the hands OF politi.
clans as officers. shipwreck is certain.
Next November officers will he chosen
who will Guide the order Through tbe
rocks and shoals and onicxsands of Isg2
and no greater calamity conld he.
fan the order than 10 lave a noli.
tieian for president or for member of
the legislative council or COMMITTEES
or for member of executiva hoard or
for secretary. or as editor of the official
organ. All these positions should be
filled by men of integrity and ability.
who are wholly devoted 10 the canse
Bnt ia insure this the work shntla ~
once begin In the suhordlnate orrani-
zation. because n there he anv noliti.
clans in the order Il viii he verv hard to
Keen them from oettino offices and Il
they are DELEGATES they are ant to Sec M
harm in electinq noIiticians ia tbe
highest offices But nerbans some
NAV ohiact and saw that ,.anv nambar
in GOOD standing who navs his dnes and
SO comforts himself rs to have the con.
ddence and resnect of his brathern i
elioibla to anv nosition IL tha order y
II Il NOT urgod that thev ~ made II.
eligible. hui simnlv that il e ma milo,
tn elect them anil az a moot n ~
proposition s,inpose that none b,,f noli-
tieians here chosen Ia nm the oaices
how long would IL be a farmers, ORGAN
izationY Evidently not long on The
other hand. with nothing but Farmers
chosen to fiji the offices n may he ovn,.ct-
ed to reach III HIGHEST develon,nen+
and fulfll its destinv
When the COMMUNICATIONS into sarca
battle. as il must do in Isq2 or Some
future time. the greatest danger docs
not threaten in he shane IN aefeat
There Il more dancer from s,ecess
than from defeat Success NAV intovi-
cate 10 radical indiscretions whila
defeat only solidi6es and strengthens
for a more determined effort me M
fects OF The educational efforts az tbaI
order now being SO VIGOROUSLY pusbed