Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1893-01-26

been one of the most potent factor
in the matter.

minds OF our people the importance
of making the farms self-sustainlng,
and thus rendering the farmers an
Independent class.
The order, through the sub-Alli-
ances, has brought the farmers closer
together and furnished the opportu-
mites for discussion and unity OF
purpose and action that has never
obtained in any calling without
organization.
/ have but few recommendations
to make. l would, if l could, empha-
size the importance of sustaining our
State Exchange, by using it for the
purchase of heavy goods in bulk, at
wholesale prices. 1t has already
been means of great protection to
the farmers of the State, notwith-
standing the fact that they have used
it only to a limited extent. The fact
of it's existence and its weekly quo
tatons of wholesale prices is pro-
lection, the value of which is hard
to estimate. 1t protects those who
do not use it as well as those who do.
/ would recommend that our SUBJ
Alliances confer with Col. Duncan in
regard to the purchase of their guano
for this year. l would recommend
the continuance of our lecture sys-
TEN throughout the county. To this
end we should have more thorough
organization.
Our township unions, from some
cause, are, for the most part, IN a
disoreanized condition. This state
of things should not continue. These
unions would be helpful in carrying
forward oar educational work. |
visited some time ago the Kings
Mountain union. l was very favora-
bly, Impressed with what ! saw and
heard. l found them thoroughly
organized, with /. body of earnest,
thoughtful men. All of the sub
Alliances in the township were rep
resented e sept one. If every town,
ship in the county was organized and
at work with as much zeal as our
brethren OF King's Mountain it would
be of great value to the order in the
county. In addition to the good
accomplished by the discussion Of
questions of interest, | would sug-
sest that the brethren in each town.
ship agree to lay upon themselves a
small tax for the purchase of premi-
ums to be awarded for the largest
yield of different crops per acre.
l would say, in conclusion. that we
should constantly keep in mind that
the great aim and purpose OF the
organization is education, Info-ma-
ton and intelligence diffused among
the masses of The people is the great
Hbulwark to the safety of our liberties
and free institutions. For this infor-
nation and intelligence we cannot
depend entirely upon partisan poll
teal press. We must have-a litera-
ture that is non-partisan and that
will discuss economic questions from
a bipartisan standpoint. We can
not have this literature unless we
sustain it. No paper can live with
out support The great trouble in
the past with the masses OF our peo-
pie was, they did not read and lacked
information ON questions vital to our
welfare.
While economy in our business
should be our watchword in the
:uture, it would be unwise and false
economy to deny ourselves and FAM
lies OF good Alliance literature. We
can get this with a small outlay of
money.
y few thoughts in regard to the
relation OF the Alliance to politics.
As an organization we have nothing
to do with political parties. There
can lie no doubt of the fact that
desigl ING men have made, and are
still making, strenuous efforts to use
the organization for political ends
with q view to their own aggrandlse-
ment. We must watch these fel-
lows, and if the order is to live and
accomplish the purpose for which 1t
was organized, we must steer clear
of all political entanglements. A
great many sub-Alliances all over
our land are suffering to-day from an
overdose OF poh.ics.
They have alienated their brethren
by bitter political partisanship, One
of the cardinal principles Of the Alli-
ance is not to interfere with the
political or religious creeds of its
members. One of the great aims of
the order is to educate the people in
the science of economic government
in a non-partisan sense. When it
does this, its relation to politics ends.
We should exercise broad charity,
leaving the political views and party
affiliations OF our members alone.
With proper information upon gov
ernmental questions, we can safely
trust our people to their own politi-
cal views without any dictation from
the order. While we should ever
keep in mind this cardinal principle
of our order, ain things essential,
unity" we should never forget this
other great and important principle {:
Equal rights to all men" There is
no conflict between these two great
principles.
Finally, my brethren, in view of
what this great order has already ac-
complished for our people, and in
view of our grand and lofty princi-
pies, and the great purposes contem-
plated in the organization, let us
labor together faithfully as becomes
honest and earnest men, who love
their country and their fellowmen,
to build up the order, trusting in
God and the justice of our cause.
We know our principles are right,
and we believe our demands are just,
and if enacted into law would inure
to the benefit and prosperity Of all
the people OF this great country.
While we should labor with a
e+oo1,, ,,rrnosa 70 ,naonify onr call.