The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-11

!
adherence to principle which pervaoes
the order in nearly every one OF these
States, Notwithstanding the combined
efforts Of our enemies to SOW seeds OF
discord in our ranks pending the
heated political 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-to"er
Of this the greatest political revolution
ever known to the nation, to say to
you that we have entered a crucial
! period in the history of our great re-
form movement, in which the greatest
caution, earnest deliberation and strict
adherence to cur principles are neces-
say to preserve intact that organization
which stands to-day as the sheet-an-
chor and hope of millions of wealth.
producers in the great battle for the
God-given rights of humanity.
You are congratulated upon the
great harmony 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
practically the members Of the order
in these States stand squarely upon
the demands, with the avowed determl-
nation of holding devotion to them
above that to any method of action,
and that to-day the number Of those
who so indorse the principles OF the
Alliance is much greater than ever be-
fore.
A sentiment also prevails, strong
and uniform, that this great order, as
an organization, is the greatest OF all
medern 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 lack of the fullest
development and prosperity Of the
order are those VIII ;h attend the dis
position of few men and papers to
publicly criticise and condemn others
for their methods. This is not of sufti-
cient extent to damage the order, but
it mars that perfect unity that should
prevail, and always Injuries all con-
cerned, and is contrary to the spirit OF
brotherly love and forbearance that
should prevail.
Another evil, which fortunately pre-
walls 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 mar 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 60 through the
coming ordeal of fierce political con-
test and come out strengthened and
purified:
l. Let a spirit Of harmony prevail
and let unity of action be the rule. Let
none condemn brother who stands
squarely by the principles Of the order
or speak in any way disparagingly or
disrespectfully of him because they may
differ as to the best methods of enfore-
ing our principles. Grant to every
brother honesty of purpose.
2. Let fealty to the principles of the
order be the true and only test OF mem
bership, and let those who value their
partisan affiliations more than their
Alliance obligation be informed that
their order demands strict and full de-
votion to its principles, and leaves
each to his own choice as to methods,
but that the method can in no case
control the principle, and therefore all
who affiliate should accept as supreme
the principles of the order.
8. Every member who takes the obli-
CATION always administered to those
who join is first told, as acondltion
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 par
tisan, political or sectarian religious
action. We urge upon the brother
hood of all reform organizations, and
all good citizens who believe, as 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 de-
graded servitude, that they use all
honorable means to secure the election
of men to our national legislative coun-
ellis who stand pledged to 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 demands at
the ballot box. We send greetings to
the brotherhood in the North and
Great Northwest and assure them
that our hearts beat in unison with
them in their efforts for industrial free
dom, and we will stand by them in all
laudable efforts to redeem this country
from the clutches of organized capital,
and that we will stand with them at
the ballot box for the enforcement Of
our demands.
fSigned by all the members Of the
conference
When By vote the Third party en-
dorsement was defeated, those favor