Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-05-07
A CRUCIAL PERIOD.
The Farmers Alliance Conference
So Considered 1t.
The ORDER IS. NOT A POLITICAL ONE.
An Address Which Was Formulated Mt the
Meeting at Birmingham. Ala. of Prcsl-
dents aud Executive Officers Of
state Organizations.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, May "a ma
jority of the members of the alliance
conference which adjourned yesterday
afternoon are not enforcing their de-
mands through u peoples party.
An element developed which was OPP
posed To any action which would appear
like interference with members right
to vote the democratic ticket II he
wished to. The result of the delibera-
tons is an address issued to the order,
as the address states, by the presidents
and executive of Tennessee. Kentucky,
Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Virginia.
Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, West
Virginia and Florida together with MEM
bers of the national executive committee,
national Legislative committee, national
Judiciary committee and President Polk.
After expressing high hope and encour-
agement, the manifesto runs substan-
tally thus:
= We have entered o crucial period In the his
tory OF our great movement In which the great
est caution, earnest elaboration ami strict al
herencC TO our principles are necessary 10 pro-
serve intact this organization.
You IRE congratulated upon the great hnrmo'
ny and unity OF sentiment In regard to alliance
principles which prevails within your borders
and upon the fact that u careful canvass OF the
subject ~ this meeting Inns shown that practl'
scally the members OF the order IN these states
stand sQuarely upon their demands win the
avowed determination OF holding devotion to
them above that 10 any other method OF action'
and that to-day the number OF those who so In
dorse the principles Of the alliance Is much great
or than ever before. A sentiment prevails mat
this organization must be perpetuated entire
~ free from any partisan entanglements The
only danger which seems in any way to threaten
lack of the fullest development ana pros
pcrity OF the order are those which attend the
disposition of few men and papers TO publicly
criticize and condemn others for their methods
This i3not Of sufficient extent to damage the
order but II mars that perfect unity that should
prevail and always Injuries all concerned ana Is
contrary TO the spirit OF brotherly love ana Tor
bearancc that should prevail. Another cvil
which fortunately prevails only in very few
localities Is the disposition OF members to seek
political ONCE ut the hands OF their brethren
forgetting that principle Of the alliance doctrine
which declares that the office should seek tho
man and not the man the ONCE.
In consideration OF these views ~ 10 the
situation the following rules Of action are sug-
gcsled as well calculated 10 enable this order
to 90 through the coming ordeal OF herce
political contest and come out strengthened ana
purified
First-Lct q spirit OF harmony prevail and let
unity OF action be the rule. Let none condemn
u brother who stands squnrely by the princi'
pies OF the order or speak in any way disparag-
ingly or disrespectfully Of him because they
= NAV differ rs TO the best methods OF enforc-
ing our prime pies Grant to every Drother
honesty Of purpose.
Sccond-Let iealty TO the principles OF the
order be the true and only test OF membership,
and Let those who value their partisan aillla'
tions more than their alliance obligations be In
formed that their order demands their strict
and full devotion to its principles and leaves
each TO his own choice OF methods, but that the
method can in no case control the principle, and
therefore all who afflinte should accept as SUI
prcme the principles OF the order.
Thlrd-Every member who takes the oblign'
ton always administered TO those who join IL
first told rs a condition precedent, and upon
which all that Is to follow Is predicatcd: THAT
II sh1ll in no way interfere with your political
or religious liberty" Therefore this order as
such or any OF its branches, has no right TO take
any partisan. political or sectarian religious nc
t!on. We urge upon the brotherhood OF all re-
form organizations and all good citizens who
believe as we do that tho enactment OF laws
based upon our demands Is for the preservation
OF the free institutions OF our government nnd
to rescue the masses from degraded servitude:
that they use all honorable means TO secure the
election OF men to our national legislative coun-
sci who stand pledged 10 work for the passage
OF such laws
Finally, brethren, remember that devotion to
our principles can only be emphasized and our
influence made effective by voting for our de-
mands ut the ballot box. We send greeting 10
the brotherhood in the north and great north
west and assure them that our hearts boat in
unison with them in their efforts for Industrial
freedom and we will stand by them in oil lauda
bic efforts to redeem the country from the
.clut hes OF organized capital and that we will
= stand with them at the ballot box for the en-
forcement of our demands.
Signed by all members OF tho difference, Biz
mingham Nav l.
1r--t,,s- 60 FIND tina T.vnchara