Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-11-30
TIE Alliance.

In another place is q call for mass
meeting OF the farmers' alliance for the
purpose OF thorough reorganization.
1he state meeting considered that, the
election being over, now W0e . most ap-
propriate anu oppoYtune time for this
work.
Two years ago the alliance of Kansas
was forced into political action because
the existing parties refused absolutely
to recognize their demands or their can
didates. The necessity no longer exists
political capacity.
But there are Industrial, social, edu-
catlonal and trade features of the order
demanding our immediate and unceaS-
ing attention. These have been neg
iected. Interest III them should be
every where revived.
Alliance meetings should be made
not merely business and educational
meetings, but social meetings as well;
where neighcOrs Can meet III concllia-
tory and friendly relations. Much OF
the neighborhood bitterness and dislike
of farmers has been due to Isolation as
lack of communication and proper un-
Outstanding of one another. To remove
all this is one of the social duties Of the
alliance: and the most valuable assist
ant in this respect is our female mem
bership. Ladies should be encouraged
to JON, attend, participate, aud act as
delegates in all our work.
Our educational work is of the ut
most Importance. Lecturers should be
awakened to sense of duty. They are
not expected to furnish each meeting
with fine speech; hut they are expect
ed to collect information of reliable
nature, and lay it before their respect
i've alliances for consider ton.
Questions of political, industrial and
trade economy, from a non-partisan
standpoint are of supreme Importance.
Questions relating to the social and
moral standing of the order and it's
members are not to be overlooked.
In this work the utmost toleratIOn
must exist. Because member ques-
lions the correctness and feasibility of
some of our beliefs is no reason for as
Stunning that he is untrue to the best in
terests of the order. Such an assump
ton shuts off investigation and discus
sion. which are two of the most import
ant features of our work, To avoid i'll
feelings and passionate discussion, par
tiSan speeches should not be tolerated.
Only when all existing political parties
refuse candidates and platforms advo-
eating our principles, are we justified
in becoming partisans, and then ALWAYS
to new party of our own.
1t is important. in our educational
work. that we invite the utmost free
dom of discussion. Songs, declama-
tons. and the like should be added to
our literary work. that young and old
may be interested An occasional open
meeting is great help. AT these meet
lngs merchants, business men and pro-
fnOGinn0I oh bn ifaI 20 Of
tend and give us the advantage of their
experience and knowledge on certain
subjects. If they should differ with us
in matters of opinion. they should be
treated not only with courtesy. but with
especial care. that they may feel free to
come again and assist us in our work;
for though they NAV differ from US in
their conclusions. they may yet give us
much information of kind that we
most need. Only a spirit of federation
and kindness can build up the order.
The trade system of the order has
been peculiarly unfortunate. The sup
posed Endorsement given to the Nation
al Union Co. wear ago. was entirely
mistake: bnt acting on this misunder-
standing. orr business agents transfer
red the Alliance Exchange business to
the Union Trust Co. They are in POSI-
ton however TO hold the exchange in
tact. and withdraw entirely from the
Union Co. which will Immediately be
done. They will then be prepared to
do business at the old stand. on the CO.
operative plan. which the state alliance
this year heartily recommends.
The insurance work OF the alliance
has met with remarkable success. In
the seasons of heaviest loss their assess
nentS have been lighter. their paw
ments more prompt than those of any
other company.
These are a few of the reasons why
the alliance should he reorganiZed and
thoroughly. Remember. that it is a
mistake 10 work for numbers merely.
1t is not numbers alone. but workers.
that we want. 1t Is numbers. some
times. that makes us weak instead of
strong.
The order has undergone a severe or
deal. Manv unworthy members have
Voluntarily left our fold. It is import
ant in the future that we be more eau
tiOus of our membership; that we i'm
press upon all members a sense Of their
duties. AS members. and that the by
laws he strictly adhered TO in regard 70
all delinquents and miscreants. This
alone can preserve the strength and in
tegritv of the order. All members who
are true to the principles of the order
should he on hand the first SATURDAY. of
December 70 aid in the consideration
of these things, and the reconstruction
of the order. A. PRIVATE.