The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-12-06
TO THE NON-PARTIsAN MEM
BERS OF THE FARMERS
ALLIANCE.

Mr.. EDITOR:-To such men as take
no interest in politics, or have not the
manhood to declare for a political
party, or the courage to vote their con-
victions, this letter is not addressed. I
have no inclination to write you. But
to all such as have the wisdom and
judgment to lay aside parts n politics
when entering the sanctum of the ALI
ance, shall be pleased to say a few
words. l am not sure. however. that
the above caption does not include
every member of the Farmers Ali
ance. Within the last six months
many, from New York to Texas, have
passed this way, and the first Alliance
partisan is yet to come. True the
Alliance went into politics. and much
if not quite all of our literature became
parts IN, but the individuals remained
true to the Order. How is that? Will
you tell me2 You are a Democrat. a
Populist or a Republican, / a PrOhibi-
ZIONIST. We have this right. 1t is our
duty as citizens to be and 90 whatever
we conceive to be for the best interest
of the people. And yet [ didn't carry
the Alliance into politics. You didn't
do it. Though nobody denies that the
Alliance went into politics. 1t is a diff
cult matter to tell who struck Billy
Patterson. Billy received a blow, and
that a hard one. He will not forget it
soon. But no limbs are broken, no
blood lost, and he will grow stronger
from his bOyiSh exercise. His blighted
romance will impress a useful lesson.
The whole occurrence was strange, and
we are inclined to ask where was I
at?" We seem to have just turned in
from a big spree-"been on a tare with
the boys" and can scarcely realize
what has happened. We know that we
have been Jared, and feel somewhat
ervOu and sore We took a big dose
of nervine on the eighth, and since
then the doctor has been to gee us and
we are getting straight again.
Now. brother. the Alliance is our big
boa. He has been in error, He comes
up now and acknowledges it, and
promises to do so no more. VIII It can
we do but forgive him and help him
on mis- way? It would be heartless to
do less, cowardly to continue chatting
him with his fault.
AS to our literature, I wish to appeal
to you to support THE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER If you could know how l
have felt toward this paper for the
past few months. you would agree that
in my appeal | am saving a great deal
| have had no sympathy with it's prodi-
gal course, and when it's resignation
was offered to the Executive Commit
tee, / at once appealed to Bro. AleXan
der to accept 1t This was not done,
however, but il was re adopted at the
State Alliance with no restrictions. |
grew so impatient with it's partisan
propens ty that | Wi hdrew my sub
scrIptiOn, and later determined to be-
gin, at my own expense, the publica
ton of an Alliance Iurnal that should
be NON-PARTISAN [ had written up
the policy of my paper and done some
other work, and it's publication would
have begun. had not THE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER signified its intention to change
It's policy. | am glad it has returned
| am willing to trust it, and to assist
in putting on the best robe and in kills
ing the fatted calf / have dismissed
my anlmOsities, and with this issue re
new my subscription. TRUST may
do likewise. Pardon me-nOt because
| have done it. but because THE Pro
GRESSIvE FARMER Is now the legitimate
organ Of the Alliance. Having promised
In the future to abstain from all par
tisancy, it was re endorsed by the
Executive Committee in a recent meet
ing at Raleigh THE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER a3dOne much for the Alliance
in the past. No other medium has dis
seminated the principles of our Order
as it has. Its renegade experience in
politics will only do it good Let us
all now forgive and forget, fall into
ranks, take up the line of march in the
Alliance army and drive on to victory
with n loud ard long Excel 81 or
T. 1VEY.