The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-05-20
as s,s' .ss l.s9Tas ioI'ssis a.! which ".
adopted, after which the meeting ad.

journed
To the brotherhood Of the National Ali.
ance and Industrial Union:
We, the presidents and executive Off
GERS of the States of Tennessee, Ken
lucky, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Mis-.
sissippi, Alabama, Georgia, West Virgin
la and Florida, together with members of
our national executive committee, nation
al legislative committee, national Judi
ciary committee and President l.. l..
Polk, having been called together in
council to consider the reported peculiar
conditions in the order in the Southern
States, which 1t was believed seriously
threatened that harmony, brotherly love
and unity Of action so necessary to the
success of our cause and the success of
the order In these States, after counsel
ling together AND hearing detailed re.
ports, rejoice tOsay to you that we feel
greatly encouraged and inspired by the
splendid spirifof unity aud determined
adherence to fprinciple which pervades
the order IN nes.sly every one of these
States, Notwithstanding the comUrueu Uf-
forts Of our enemies TO SOW seed of dis
cord in our ranks pending the heated po.
litical contests, local and national.
We therefore feel it our duty, as ser
wants of the people we represent, stand
ing upon the outposts and watch tower
of this the greatest political revolution
ever known to the nation, to say to you
that we have entered crucial period in
the history of our great reform move
ment, in which the greatest caution,
earnest deliberation and strict adherence
to our principles are necessary to preserve
intact that organization which stands TO-
day as the sheet-anchor and hope of
millions of wealth producers in the great
battle fpr the God given rights Of hu-,
You ---grdtuIated upon the grcar
harmony and unity of sentiment in re-
gard to Alliance principles which pre-
walls 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 seuarely upon the demands,
with the avowed determination of hold
| ing devotion to them above that to any
method of action, and that today tho
| number of those who so endorse the prin
| ciples of the Alliance is much greater
than ever before.
A sentiment also prevails, strong ano
uniform, that this great order, as an or
ganization, Is the greatest of all moderr
forces for. the spread Of reform educa
tion, and thatdts work must be perpetu
ated aud encouraged in this high sphere
entirely free from any partisan entangle
ments.
The only dangers which seem in an
way to threaten lack of the fullest de
velopment and prosperity of the orde
are those which attend the disposition o
few men and papers to publicly criti
else and condemn Others for their meth
ods. This is not of sufficient extent t
damage the order, bu. it mars that pei
feet unity that should prevail and al
WAYS injures all concerned, and it is cor
trary to the spirit Of brotherly love an
forbearance that should prevail.
Another evil, which fortunately pre-
walls only in very few localities, is til
disposition of members to seek politics
office at the hands of their brethren, fo
getting that principle of Alliance dot
trine which declares that the Office shoul
seek the man and not the man the offic,
In consideration of these views as [
the situation, the following rules of al
tion are suggested, as we'll calculated
enable the order to go through the con
j ing ordeal of a fierce political conte
and come out strengthened and purified
Il 1. Let q spirit of harmony prevail an
let unity of nc tion be the rule. Let nor
condemn brother who stands squarel
by the principles of the order or speak
any way disparingly or disrespectfull
Of him because they may differ as to I'll
best methods of enforcing our principle
Grant to every brother honesty of pul
pose.
i Q. Let fealty to the principles of Il
order be the true and only test of men
bership, and let those who value the
partisan affiliations more than their All
ance obligations be informed that the
order demands strict and full deyotic
! to its principles, and leaves each to b
: own choice ss to methods, but that Il
method can in no case control the prime
ii pie, aud therefore all who affiliate shou
accept as sssupreme the principles of Il
. order.
8 8. Eycfy nieniber who takes the OBJ
AL sig ,oL Qa rs administered TO those WI
iYc.lYeSsr Is d condifi5fnf precede
upon which ar that is to follow is pred
Gated, that il shall in no way ibterfe
J. with your political or religious libert
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