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

ANAN otN NNAN kOtONIN anu |f||-A.
unuy Which will be fatal TO the eood
NP'if she Is hurled upon them. rleht
houses are erected 10 indicate where
dangers are. The official organ OF tho
order would be dierilict In its duty did
II not point out the dangerous coast as
soon as discovered to the end that the
membershin 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 Hatteras
and HcnlOpen, and all vessels going
North or South must pass them; tho
1'mger 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 intelli-
gence, threaten n wreck. These two
danger points are first. placing politi-
clans In control Of the Offices of the
orderf and, second, compromises.
II iaexactly 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 may often make
good members, but since this Is strictly
alarmers' organization tits evident that
the offices should be filled with farmers
rather than politicians, and the ten
dency will be for the politician 10 seek
and get the offices because a farmer
thoroughly devoted 10 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.
itician, seeing a means TO personal
end, pushes himself forward and So
cures his election; this gives him innu-
ence, and that Is an important stock In
trade with a politician. Politicians
as officers do less harm In the subordi.
nate body than in the county, and less
harm In the county than in the state.
and less harm in the state
than in the nation. The reason for
tbs Is very plain. The peculiar work
Tor 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 corporation for
political purposes. II the three men
who have held Illinois at bay so long
had been anything but farmers-if they
had been politicians, they would have
yielded long since. II the national
order ever gets into the hands OF politi-
clans as officers, shipwreck is certain.
Next November officers will be chosen
who will guide the order through the
rocks and shoals and quicksands OF 1892.
and no greater calamity could be-
fall the order than to have poll
tlcian Tor president or for member OF
the legislative council or committee.
or for member OF executive board. or
for secretary, or as editor OF the official
organ. All these positions should be
filled by men OF integrity aud ability.
who are wholly devoted TO the cause
But 10 insure this the work should at
once begin IN the subordinate orgsni.
zation, because IL there be any politi.
clans in the order it will be very hard TO
keep them from getting offices, and ifI
they are delegates they are apt TO sec no
harm in electing politicians TO the
highest Offices. But perhaps some
may object and say that any member
in good standing who pays his dues and
70 conforts himself as 10 have fhe con.
fidence and respect Of bis brethern Is
eligible 10 any position in the order.m |
II Is not urged thnf they be made in |
sligiblf, but sifnts.y that II Is bad policy /
q elect them, and a. proof OF the /
Imposition, suppose that none but poll /
iicians hore chosen TO FIJI the Offices. I
low long wonld "A bI'a farmers organ.
zation? gyiaHnt'y not long. On the
Ither hand, With nothing but farmers
ihosen 70 ili the Offices it may be expect
4 to reach III highest DEVELOPMENT
md faidll ~ dhetiny.
Wlsf1l t1a t2nfiictthickens into fierce
,at ttie. ttsIiI must do in 1892, or some
utuft IinIe, The greatest danger does
lot threaten in the shape OF defeat.
Ihcre Is more danger from success
han from defeat. Success may intoxi-
ate 10 radical indiscretions, while
lefeat only solidides and strengthens
or more determined effort. The e.
ects OF the educational efforts Oh the
rider now being so vigorously lushed
hould minimise tho danger 10 be ap-
pretended either from success or de-
eat The great danger. and the one
east comprehended, is the danger that
Ittends measures OF compromise. The
work. OF years may be- frittered away in
IN unwise compromise. The opposi-
ion, when it discovers itself in the
minority, will not wage a war that can
md only In defeat. II will employ the
most subtitle agencies TO gain the per
onal friendship Of those who control
he people in this great movement and
them that half loaf IL better
han no loaf, and by means OF compro.
Mise cheat out OF securing the ends for
which thoy fight. Compromise men
re often useful In the council.
nut should not be pat In command
4 the forces. There Is no danger ofl
he future 80 threatening as compro-
Mise. A compromise Is certain 10 be
'ffered By each Of the political parties,
nd 10 accept either would reduce the
trength Of the order One-half. May 1
iod grant that no committee or board
OF politicians shall ever
epresent the alliance in any political
onvention.-National Economist.