The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1892-09-29
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THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
VIII Ihe Alliance Rc Practical
and Vote Tor Legislation It
Demands.

tor years We have been studying
political economy. THE Science OF
Governinent,n from n strietiy non
partisan standpoint, the only correct
method for striving at the truth In
politics. With unparalleled unant-
mity aud enthusiasm we have uni
tcd on a series OF demands which
! nave neen adopted, affirmed and re-
afnt1ucd by om supreme council,
oar state, county and subordinate
\ Alliances. Last February, a. St.
Louis, they were endorsed hy twcn-
tE-cnt Othes great labor or.aniZa-
tions These demands are the re-
. suit nf many years n atlent study and
discussion Of the labor problem.
We believe they are Just ami essen
tlal. The time has now arrived 10
te-t whether We are going to be
pra tIcat or tot. rhe only way 10
secure The cHgctmcH; of these de
mauds Into law il through political
&c'ton-!egis'atlon. We have pass
. oi through the stages or discussion,
r0+0.u.iors and demanding. These
ar" ell preliminary and necessary 10
. The ilIal act Of voting, Tuless fol-
lowed M by our ballots nj that We
. h1Te done will have been in vain.
The difficulty that now conflonts us
T as &n organization f. that whilst we
are anit on our demands, we are
/ not 4 20 methods uf securing them.
7 We All must agree on the Common
sense proposition that the only way
. o. securing them '- 20 vote for the On.
B Unfortunately, our partisanship. in
some case7, has proven stronger than
/ cur allegiance 10 our principles.
When We first made our political
I demands we, to that extent, became
q political organization. In doing
so, We did not become II political
| party, nor do | think VIC, as class,
ever should. So long as other class
es and professions remain organized
As classes or professions, we too must
nerpetudte and strengthen our or
ganization. But having, az an or
ganizatiOn, made certain political
demands, we have corresponding
duties to perform. When we re.
quested the several political parties
to adopt our demands, there was au
Implied promise that if they did, we
would support them; if not, We
would oppose them. We have been
". 1et with the contention that this
would interfere with our political
. | freedom. Before taking the cbiiga
tion, we were assured that 1t "wil
not conflict with tho freedom O
your political or religious views
The Alliance has been an educator
Our demands are our "politica
views" Instead finierfering with
VIC urge our members 30 stand b,
and support and vote for their 20.
iitical views. 1t is The only homes
and consistent thing We can DO. /
you believe any other platform o
principles or more Importance thsI
. ours, then they are your poiitica
views, and ii is your duty to supper
tleIn in preference to ours. Our de
. mands can only be crystalized int
, law through the medium OF a polItI
5 cal party.
] lay down three common sens
/ propositions. First. 1t 1. AWAY
I necessary to follow up poiiiico
party after they have promised, {
compel them to keep their promise.
= Second. 1t Is very improbable tha
; any political party Will enact our de
nands into law unless they fir.
promise to do so. Third. 1t is vi
terly ridiculous TO expect a politics
party TO enact our demands into la,
20 ,0ng as they are fighting then
The man who has sufficient faith
believe that they VIII, has enoug
, 10 remove mountain but fait
/, even or that kilG' viii never move
- political party. They live on an
: are moved b. votes. Our first du'
: - citizens is 10 examine we'll Il
, promises Il III political parties
:, Cln'ainCi in their Platform Of I ri
: ciplce, and JHrn follow Il up |
: their rCcOId ~ learn which polite
= party Is our party.
- One political pzrIy having sdop;C
y cur demand II %ould be in dire
~ conflict with car obligation to a
, y9n 10 support political party tn
y has not done go. Wor.e It wou
= be asking you 10 violate the sacr,
right OF franchise, which ssou'd q
- guarded as Tho ark Of our covenar
- AZ IN fganizition, we are in hon
=, pound 70 support our principle
-, As citizen, Il IL our duty 10 vo
:, our principles. Our order Is
- trial. We have reached - Poi
=, where Ec are certain to lose sor
ssoo membcr-, and II Is vie 10 consid
:. the aituailon carefully. To pu
- on aggrcssiyely and in earnest,
- will lore those who love their c
- party bondage better than our pr
cipIrs. II D. weak or vacillati
ta1s at this critical tine will insure /
~. loss OF the earnest, aggressive me
81 bership, who are honestly advoc
80 80. ing our principles a, of paramot
-. importance % that Of any poiiti
=, party. No true Alliance man {
'-.a hesitate v hich course to purs
~. Admitting los, which we mt
= which method will insure us
ir greatest gain? PROFESSIONALLY,
honest, manly, consistent course
co voting as we talk, resolve, derns
and pledge. Experience in
state elections where we have vo
for our principles, has demonstra
that cur gains have more Than
vii anced our losses in numbers,
se strengthened US immensely in p
'lth tige and influence.
lgs A few may he led away with
ION, idea that because a political pi
q 70 mas adopted our demands, our eff
'aid should nc@ be concentrated SO
ppe for the party. This would b
lis grave mistake. We mist perp
COW ate and strengthen our organiza
ex- as a hulwark for our princiI
how present and prospective. A a
free of strength to aid the patty I'D
-Gill- ing our demands and terror to
nth, political party fighting them.
aIge other words we must remain
pendent of and suptrior to poll