The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-02-14
WHY l Nav not Join the Alliance

IN connection with the movements Tor
better laws, and better administration
Of what we have, that deem it right To
ask favor IN making a few explanations
in regard to this new Alliance movement
in this County with which have been
coupled by your somewhat facetious Port
correspondent.
Every intelligent man should make it
his business to be informed on this sub
ject and hear both sides of The question
before he ventures to make assertions or
form an opinion as to the truth or falsity
of doctrines that have admittedly made
great impression upon the political
world during the past few years To
borrow an opinion, ready made from the
oft copied utterances Of the daily press
is certainly not the part Of wisdom, when
it is more than evident that these are the
veriest exparte statements of men, whose
interests appear to be to ridicule and be-.
little everything that they do not now
understand, or that promise to jostIe
them in their comfortable seats. But
when we see a commotion of this kind
gathering force and spreading like a
confiagration, in spite of the united
power Of the whole political press of the
United States, who have been persisteDtly
and energetically throwing their several
streams of cold water upon it, you may
depend upon it that there is some sub
stantial combustible mat erial at the
bottom of it to feed the flames.
The name of the Farmers Move
ment' is the one most generally given to
it, by all those opposed to it, but as it
now stands 1t is not the correct desigua-
tion to snub an Alliance of all the in
dustrial Organizations" of America as its
full names implies.
The questions of Corporate Powers, +"
involving as they do all such as manufac
lures and transportation, and the con-
troll of all natural sources of wealth by
syndicates, trusts, ETC., the manufac
turers and control of the money, that is
necessary as medium of exchange, that
government alone can provide for are
all subjects demanding attention by
our law makers, as they can alone be
corrected by law. The liquor powor' is
one of these, and the most powerful, as
it is the medium by which the voters are
debauched, and the purposes of every
other corrupt or corrupting monopoly
accomplished. Our Republican form of
government is worse than farce, when
the political scales can be turned at any
time, by the votes of the ignorant and
vicious classes in our great cities, that
are for sale at any time, to the highest
bidder.
1t is to subserve the purposes OF those
who have prof1ted by this system, that
every important industrial or moral ques-
ton is pushed to the rear, and the people
kept in continual discord about dead
issues and tariffs which questions can be
made to order to suit every locality, and
every condition.
This is the situation and outlook that
has given birth to the Farmers Alliance.
which started in Texas and has since
spread as we know. Here is their plat.
form.
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE DECLARATION
OF PURPOSE.
Profoundly impressed that we the Farm
ers Alliance, united by the strong and faith
full ties of financial and home interests.
should set forth our declaration of iuten-
lions, we therefore resolve:
/. To labor for the education of the agri-
cultural classes in the science of economi-
cal. government in strictly non-partisan
spirit.
2. To endorse the motto, "In things essen
tisl. unity; and in all things. charity"
3. To develop better state, mentally,
morally, socially, and financially.
4. To create better understanding for
sustaining civil officers i'll maintaining law
law and order.
harmony and good will among all mankind
and brotherly love among ourselves.
8. To suppress personal, local, and Sec
tional prejudices, all unhealthful rivalry
aud all selfish ambitious.
The brightest jewels which il gamers are
the tears Of widows and orphans, and it's
imperative commands are to visit the homes
where lacerated hearts are bleeding; to as
susge the sufferings Of brother or sister;
bury the dead; care for the widows and edu
cate the orphans; to exercise charity
towards offenders; TO cOnstrue words ami
deeds in their most favorable light, granting
honesty of purpose aud good intentions to
others; and to protect the principles of the
Alliance unto death. Its laws are reason
and equity, its cardinal doctrines inspire
purity of thought and life, its Intentions
are "peace on earth good will toward men"
While in their purposes they do not
say SO, yet in their constitution and
practical working they embrace most Of
the cooperative features Of the Grange,
with its social features and it's secrecy
1t goes much further than the patrons in
its inquiries into financial questions, and
it's organized and open opposition to COR
porate monopoly, etc.
AS it is pretty generally known that |
was an active participant i'll the first
Grange movement in this County and
State may presume to speak from an
inside knowledge, of the workings of ii,
of this new order that has all the features
of it as a secret society, aud it is OF some
of these seemingly essential rts of
their ritualistic forms that | wish to
speak, as | know there are others who
feel as do about them, that have not
the courage to speak out. To those who
have been reared III ritualistic forms of
0OrShip there may seem no improperly
in introducing the services of the chap.
lain in their social organizations, aud yet
there are many who have grave doubts
Of nf nSinn fbasp hat
they have been taught to venerate as
sacred observances, into lodge and
Grange meetings, where the spirit of
leyity aud amusement may be the pre-
vailing one, and as it will often happen,
even the one chosen to fill the post for
the day, may be not even a professor of
religion of any sort, and thus every word
may be falsehood when used, If not
blasphemy.
know that this condition applies to
all secret societies, and they are all in
some sense oath bound, many employ
foolish ceremonies and some blasphemous
titles, as applied to their officers, giving
men honors that belong to God only. In
this and other ways this great multiple
cation of secret societies, especially IN
our cities, is working great injury to
the best interests of our Country, and
instead of being a help to the Christian
Church, iD promoting more friendly
and charitable disposition among neigh
bors, etc, these organizations are really
becoming a substitute for the church in
the minds of large proportion of those
who become faithful members.
There are many indications that the
church is losing its power and prestige
as leader of thought aud action, even
among those who are nominal members,
and is not commanding that respect
which is it's due in Christian country.
She has discipline, but she does not en-