Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-06-02
THE BIRMINGHAM MANIFESTO

Address Of the National Alliance and
Industrial Union Presidents.
The capitalistic press, especially in
the south, is trying to distort the mean
Ing of .the action of the recent confer
rnce Of Alliance officials at Birming-
ham, Ala, SO al to create the belief that
it was in opposition to the Peoples
party. The conference did only what it
could do in that particular and conform
to the Alliance constitution and Obliga-
ton. Following is the text of the adj
dress issued by the conference; and the
'.solid south is welcome to all the COM
fort it can obtain therefrom.
To the Brotherhood of National Farmers
Alliance and Industrial union:
W., the presidents and executive officers OF
the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri,
Texas, Louisiana, Virginia. Mississippi, Ala
bama, Georgia, West Virginia and Florida,
together with the members Of our national
executive committee, national legislative COM
mittee, national judiciary committee and
President Polk, having been called together
in council to consider the reported peculiar
conditions in the order in the southern states,
which it was believed seriously threatened
action 80 necessary to the success Of our cause,
and success Of our order in these states after
counseling together and hearing detailed re-
ports. rejoice to say to you that we feel greatly
encouraged and inspired by the splendid spirit
of unity and determined adherence to princi-
pie which pervades the order in nearly every
one of these states, Notwithstanding the COM
bined efforts of our enemies to SOW seeds Of
discord In our ranks, pending heated political
contests, local and national.
We therefore feel it our duty as servants of
the people we represent, standing upon the
outposts and watchtowers of this the greatest
political revolution ever known to the nation,
to say to you that we have entered the crucial
period in the history Of our great reform move
lnent. in which the greatest caution, earnest
elaboration and strict adherence to our prin-
ciplcs are necessary to preserve intact that or
ganzation which stands today as the sheet
anchor and hope Of millions of wealth pro-
ducers in the great battle for the God given
rights Of humanity. You are congratulated
upon the great harmony and unity of senti-
ment in regard to the Alliance principles
which prevail within your borders, and upon
the fact that a careful canvass Of the subject
at this meeting has shown that practically the
members of the order in these states stand
squarely upon their demands, with the avowed
determination of holding devotion to them
above that to any method Of action, and that
today the number Of those who so Endorsed the
principles of the Alliance is much greater than
ever before.
The sentiment also prevails, strong and uni
form, that this great order as an organization
is the greatest of all modern forces for the
spread of reform education, and that its work
must be perpetuated and encouraged in this
high sphere entirely free from any partisan
entanglements. The only dangers which seem
In any way to threaten a lack Of the fullest
development and prosperity Of the order are
those which attend the disposition of few
men and papers to publicly criticise and con-
denim others for their method. This is not Of
sufficient extent to damage our order, but it
mars that perfect unity that should prevail,
and always Injuries all concerned, and is con-
trary to the spirit Of brotherly love and for
bearance that should prevail.
Another evil, which fortunately prevails only
in very few localities, is the disposition of
members to seek political Office at the hands
of their brethren, forgetting that principle of
Alliance doctrine which 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 suggested as well calculated to enable the
order to go through the coming ordeal Of fierct
political contest and come out strengthened
and purified:
/. Let spirit of harmony prevail and let
unity of action be the rule. Let none con-
denim brother who stands squarely by prin-
ciples of the order or speak in any way dis
paragingly or Unexpectedly of him because
they may differ as to the best methods of en-
forcing our principles. Grant to every brother
honesty of purpose.
2. Let fealty 20 the principles of the order
be the true and only test Of membership, and
let those who value partisan affiliations more
than their Alliance obligations be informed
that their order demands strict and full devo-
ton to it's principles and leaves each to his
own choice as to methods, but that method
can in no case coptrol principle, and therefore
all who affiliate should accept as supreme the