The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-05-13
NOT POLITICAL.
Result of the Meeting of the Executive OF.
ficers of the Farmers Alliance at Bir-
mingham. Als.-The Order Not Political

ficers of the Farmers Alliance at Biz
mingham, Als.-The Order Not 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 deliberatiou and strict ad
herenoe 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 a 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 demands with the
ayowed 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 perpetuIted entire
ly free from any partisan entanglements The
only danger which seems in any way to threaten
a lack of the fullest development and pros.
perity OF the order are those which attend the
disposition of a few men and papers TO publicly
criticise and condemn Others for their methods.
This il not of sufficient extent 20 damage the
order but IL IlArs that perfect unity that should
prevail and always Injuries all concerned and Is
contrary 10 the sp!ri. of brOtherly love and for
bearance that should prevail. Another evil
which fortunately prevails only IN very few
localities is the disposition OF members 10 seek
political Office at the hands of their brethren,
forgetting that principle of the alliance doctrine
witch declares that the Office should seek the
man and not the man the Office.
In consideration of these views as to the
situation, the following rules of action are sug-
gested as well calculated to enable this order
to go through the coming ordeal of a fierce
political contest and come out strengthened and
purified:
F1rst-Let spirit OF harmony prevail and let
unity of action be the rule. Let none condemn
a brother who stands squHrely by the princi-
pies Of the order or speak in any way dsparag-
inyly or disrespectfully of him because they
may differ as 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 sff1lia-
lions more than their alliance obligations be In
formed that their order demands their strict
and full devotion to its principles aud leaves
each 70 his own choice of methods, but that the
method can in no case control the principle, and
therefore all who afiliate should accept as SUI
preme the principles of the order.
Third-EverY member who takes the obliga-
ton always administered to those who join is
first told as a condition precedent and upon
which all that is to follow is predicated: That
It shall 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 ac
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
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-
Laands 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 oil lauda-
bic efforts to redeem the country from the
clutches 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 the conference