Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-05-12
NOT POLITICAL.

ksesuie Oh the meeting OF the Executive OF.
Ulcers OF the Farmers Alliance at Bir-
mingham. AIa.-The Order Not q Political
One-The Address.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, May 5.-The ALI
ance conference in this city yesterday
developed an element which showed
opposition to any action which would
appear like interference with a mem
ber's right to vote according to his
political sentiments The result of
the deliberations is an address issued
to the order, as the address states. by
the presidents and executive officers
OF Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Tex
as, Louisiana, Virginia, Mississippi. Ala
bama, Georgia, West Virginia and
Florida together with members of the
national executive committee, national
legislative committee, national judic-
larry committee and President Polk.
After expressing high hope and encour-
agement, the manifesto runs substan-
tally thus:
We have entered a crucial period in the his
tory Of our great movement in which the great
est caution, earnest elaboration and strict ad
herence to our principles are necessary to pre-
serve intact this organization.
You are congratulated upon the great harmo-
ny and unity of sentiment In regard to alliance
principles which prevails within your borders
and upon the fact that careful canvass of the
subject at this meeting has shown that practi-
cally the members of the order in these states
stand sQuarely upon their dsmands with the
avoWed determination OF holding devotion to
them above that to 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
er than ever before A sentiment prevails that
this organization must be perpetuated entire
ly free from any partisan entanglernents The
only danger which seems in any way to threaten
lack of the fullest development and pros
rerity OF the order are those which attend the
disposition OF a few men and papers to publicly
crfticise and condemn Others for their methods
This Is not of sufficient extent to damage the
order but 1T mars that perfect unity that should
prevail and always Injuries all concerned and is
contrary to the spirit OF brotherly love and for
bearance that should prevail Another evil
which fortunately prevails only in q very few
localities is the disposition Of members to seek
political Office at the hands of their brethren.
forgetting that principle of the alliance doctrine
man and not the man the office.
In consideration Of these views as to the
situation, the following rules OF action are sug-
gested we'll calculated to enable this order
to go through the coming ordeal of fierce
political contest and come out strengthened and
purified:
First-Let spirit of harmony prevail and let
unity of action be the rule. Let none condemn
a brother who stands SQuarely by the princi-
pies of the order speak in any way disparag-
insly or unexpectedly Of him because they
may differ to the best methods OF enforc-
ing our principles Grant to every brother
honesty Of purpose.
Second-Let fealty to the principles of the
order be the true and only test of membership,
and let those who value their partisan aff1lia-
tons 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 affiliate should accept as SUI
preme the prin ciples Of the order.
Third-Every member who takes the obliga-
ton always administered to those who join is
which oil that is to follow is predicated: That
it shall in way interfere with your political
or religious liberty" Therefore this order as
such any Of its branches. has no right to take
any partisan, political Sectarian religious &C
ton We urge upon the brotherhood of all re-
form organizations and all good citizens who
believe we do that the enactment of laws
based upon our demands is for the preservation
OF the free institutions of our government and
to rescue the masses from degraded servitude;
that they use all honorable means to secure the
sci who'stand pledged to work for the passage
Of such laws
Finally, brethren, remember that devotio to
our principles can only be emphasized and our
influence made effective by voting for our de-
mandS at the ballot box We send greeting to
the brotherhood in the north and great north
west and assure them that our hearts beat in
unison with them in their efforts for Industrial
freedom and we will stand by them in all lauda-
clutches of organized capital and that we will
stand with them at the ballot box for the en-
forcement of our demands.
Signed by oil members of the conference