The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-01-10
PRESIDENT LoUCKs SPEAKS.

To the NJ m6erS of the ". r. A, e o.:
A few days ago | received a letter
Bsking for a decision on tho following
point: Can an Alliance discuss such
political questions as government own
ership OF railways, the Sub Treasury
plan of issuing money, etc." The Presl
dent of the Alliance had ruled that the
Order was nOn partisan, hence could
not discuss political questions. My
answer of course was that it was not
only in order, but it was the duty of
every Alliance to discuss every plank
in our platform, and advisable to dis
cuss State and other issues of interest
to Us a. individuals and as a class. Too
many of our writer's and speakers are
not careful enough in the use of the
terms, non political and non-partisan.
We are a political Organiza ion, in
deed; a di tinctively political organiza~
ton, as every plank in our demands is
political. They all relate to the science
of government. Each and every one
of them requires political action to
crystalIZe them into law. But we are
a distinctly non-partisan organization.
We require n pledge of support for
any political party. We do not even
require a pledge to support our de
mands. The Alliance is an educational
organization. We welcome into our
Order men of all political affiliations,
and discuss political questions regard
less of political parties, as they affect
our interests. leaving to each individ-
ual the right to support or reject, as in
his Judgment he deems best. In this
we differ widely from partisan Organi
zatisnS. The Democratic Club is a par
tisan organic alton, in that it demands
support OF the Democratic perty as a
test Of membership The same Is true
of the Republican League, for the Re
publican party and indu 3trial legion,
for the Peoples party. Should the
members of any of these fail in their
support they are liable to expulsion It
is not so tn a member of the Alliance
So long as other classes and professions
organize by themselves in non partisan
organizations, it will be wise for the
farmers to follow their example. In,
deed 1t Is a necessity for us to organize
for self protection.
1t would be a fatal mistake for us to
become a partisan organization; that
Is, the tool of any political party. 1t
Is Dur duty to formulate and discuss
demands, regardless of how it NAV
effect any party. If the advocacy and
buppOIG VI our u0udnQS lurG aDV DO
htical party 1T is their own fault. We
offered them to all parties alike, with
the implied promise of support if they
adopted them. On the other hand, II
it helps a party because they have
adopted the same demands, it is theil
legitimate reward for doing so. 1
would be exceedingly unwise for us t.
drop any demand simply because {
political party had adopted it. W.
must push it until it is enacted int
law. The Allianceman who is an ALI
anceman first and partisan after will
use political parties just as he uses any
other tool for the accomplishment of
given purpose. l support the Poop e
party because l believe it is the bes
tool for the purpose. 1 would as sool
think of using OF my farm a forke,
stick fora pillow, asickle to cut nv wheat
"a fail TO Ghresh it and market it o.
rseback with a stone in one end q
aack to balance it, and expect t
fortune raising wheat at 5
bushel, as to think of SUI