The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-04-09
An Interview with State Lecturer Tai.
bert:
From the Ne,vs and Courier.

SS<~'
ORANGEBURa, April S.-DuriEg the
day had an opportunity of interviewing
Col. Talbert. His position as State lee
turer of the Alliance ought to give his
opinions some importance. He talked
carefully, and had the interview read to
him after it had been taken. The talk
was upon matters entirely distinct from
| the subject matter of his address before
the Alliance, and is at times quite radi-
cal.
In answer to a question as to his posi-
ton on the Third Party move he said !:
"We, as Alliance men do not propose to
endorse for the United States Senate or
Congress any candidate who is opposed to
the demands of the St. Louis and Ocala
Conventions. We will oppose the nomi.
nation by primary or convention of any
man for national Office who is opposed to
our principles. Primarily speaking for
the nomination a candidate must endorse
these demands, but after the nominations
are made, then, of course the nominee of
the party will receive the hearty support
of the Alliance. That is my idea of the
Alliance at present. There is, however,
q move on foot which all labor organiza.
tions are interested in throughout the
United States, to meet in convention in
February, 1892, the place to be decided BY
the executive committee or the commit.
tee on Confederation, to be composed of
representatives of every labor organiza.
tion as representative body, to discuss
the situation, and to agree upon some fu.
ture plan of operation. What that plan
will be I am unable to say. It will be q
peoples move, and whatever the people
| do they are responsible for it.
ri am opposed to third party provi
ded the relief can be obtained through
the present parties if not, 1t is time
enough to decide upon line of action.
This country with the government belongs
to the people,: They have right to de.
maDd that the government shall be a
government for and by tho people. Old
political hacks of both parties may expect
to stand aside and let the grand process
sion headed by the people pass along
The feeling of the Alliance people in this
State is, I believe, in the direction of this
sentiment. The Alliance principles and
the Democratic principles are one and the
same. I do not see why the people in a
great confederation composed of repre-
aentatives from both parties cannot work
for reform of corruption as Democrats
and Republicans without any compromise
of principle or invoking the aid of third
party move.
"The old hacks OF the Democratic party
are not the Democratic party, for they
refused to give the relief that has been
asked for in protection against the money
power. The old hacks Of the Republican
party are in the same boat. The financial
| policy of both parties is one and the same
Oppressive to the people. The people
demand a change in the monetary system
of the Government. This they must have.
Ifthey cannot get it in one way they will
get it in another, for they cannot longer
live under such oppression. They are
demanding it separately and distinctly as
Democrats and Republicans through their
organizations as Alliance men, laborers
and producers. They propose to get this
relief by resort TO the ballot box il they
can.
"Our exchanges throughout the State
are all in healthy conditions, saving
money for the farmers the State over and
growing in business. I believe in co. op-
erative stores. All cooperative stores
ought to support the State Exchange,
thereby making strong commercial team,
(which will be able to cope with any in
the land. The farmers have bought fer.
tilizers through the Alliance Exchange
|liberallY, getting good brands and honest
compounds. Members of the exchange
who are more directly connected with
them can give more detailed information
on this point, and lecturer deals more
with the general outline, being member
of the State and National Alliance. The
matter of the State Alliance Bank at Co.
lumbia has been referred back to the
several Alliances and nothing definite
has yet been done.
'The Alliance is not going into politics,
as much right to discuss any politics as
any other citizens in non-partisan spirit,
and ne propose to do it, as allowed in our
constitution. No. man need to get fright
ened at it. The National Alliance is
purely political and simon pure politi.
cal organization. We intend to have re-
form, or by the Eternal we will know the
reason why. We want the good will of
every class Of good people, but beg the
friendship Of none, and all that a man
has to do if he is opposed to the organi-
zation is to step aside and let the process.
sion pass on, for if he does not it will run
over him.
"The Alliance is now discussing the
plan of reducing the acreage in cotton. /
think this step in the right direction.
Let us raise our own supplies and have
cotton as a surplus. Let us raise hog and
hominy in place of cotton. The destiny
of our people hinges on this point. The
Alliance to-day in this State is
in fine condition. [ have talked
with business men from all portions of
the State, and they all agree that the on.
ly thing TO continue the prosperity of this
country is the continuation of the Farmers
Alliance. The numerical strength is in
creasing, and new Alliances are being
formed every day. Of course, men are
being turned out and some members are
being lost. There are some traitors in
the camp and they ought to be turned
out.
"The Alliance as an organization wants
to bring about a peaceful and quiet revo.
luton in the general condition and system
of things, by pesceable and quiet meth.
DDS, and by the use of reason. But at the
same time they feel that this revolution
must come; if not by peaceable method,
by some other method. The laborer and
producer of the United States must have
relief in some way. They have asked for
deliverance at the hands of their Repre-.
sentatives at Washington in the way of
national legislation, and if the voice of
the masses Of the people Is not heard and
needed and relief granted there will come
day in the future when an angry people
will appear at the gates of justice and
demand their rights in mood incapable
of reason, for when the flag of wrath and
restitution is raised it is then too late to
reason.
eI am heartily in favor of free coinage
of silver, and as an Alliance man cannot
support for nomination to a national Office
any man opposed to free coinage of silver.
Consequently / am opposed to Cleveland
| for proaidopt NV 20 ndidata hos IN eun