The Opelousas courier., 1894-07-14
TO the Parish Farmers Union of Ion
isiana

u, t"mp', ing with the Requirement.
", ',e 'th,",ttntlon OF the State Alliance,
The Parisi, Unions arc reouI,.I r., -.
Organize ut their quarterly Jul, :u..,.,.
ii'ss IN t:rcllug officers to ,.rsi.i. H.,
'iir ensuing year.
IT h'h"orr> he Alliance at il,is i,,.,.i.
u'', tta' 1nur most efirly,.; ~.
ihiii"tlr mrlnbcis tr ,irc.,h f., 81
''tS' i''a'iint., tisn ni,uS,. i~t..iis ana
SON. al" Unlisted in the iuturt IA,
pudding and prosperity of the Farmers
Alliance of Louisiana in other word
put no drones in Office.
Again you are required to elect two
members as delegates to represent your
rarlsh Union at the meeting or the
State Alliance that holds it's ANIMAL
session at N~atchitoches, Louisiana. or
the nrst Tuesday in August, at 10 m.
liz is OF the greatest Importance that
'very parish 10 the State be represented
a, TINS annual meetinti In those par
's.,es Wnere a mere semblance of or
5a1izatlon exists. call a parish meeting
aod elect delegates to represent Won !:
and even where only one Sub-Upion in
working order exists in a parish. elect
a delegate and send him to the copyen-
tlon. l urge upon you, brother Alliance
men, to exert yourselves in this behalf.
d not fail under any circumstances
10 nave yourselves represented. This
meeting OF the State Alliance ia of
paramount Importance for the future
OF the Order. Vital questions will be
presented and discussed, touching upon
the future policy of the Alliance, and
also constitutional amendments regard.
Ing the eligibility of a party to become
a member OF the organization will be
recommended. Therefore you will see
the necessity OF sending as delegates
your ablest and best informed members
upon the principles of the Alliance, in
order that they take hold of these issues
ana adjust them satisfactorily to the
Alliance and to the people.
10 make the Alliance a success
\which l have never doubted) and
establish the great truths of demo
cracy contained in the principles of the
Ocala demands, the Order must keen
pace with the rapid strides of progress
and shake from her feet the dust of old
fogyism and enter upon a new era
with broad and liberal views, exteud-
ing the benefits Of the Order to all
whose minds run in the same channel
of thought with ours upon the great
reform questions of the day, and who
are 10 line with us upon the sovereign
principles inculcated by the Ocala
Demands.
The Farmers Alliance is strictly
political, but non partisan. 1t owes no
allegiance to any partisan political
party now in existence. 1t is not con
Quoted in the interest of any man or
any partisan political party yet. in a
strict construction of its platform Of
principles. it is II political party but
n StISun il, rnf.c, H., -.
and Is yet, declared by partisan leaders
Of the Democratic party that tho
Alliance had broken down under the
corrupt weight of p~artisanistn. and was
hand and glove with the Peoples party.
This is IA serious charge, and is a re-
preach upon the integrity of the
Alliance members, and an insult to the
non partisan principles of the Order.
The leaders of the Peoples party
have also taken up the same tactics as
the Democratic leaders in pr%onounciug
the Alliance organization dead beyond
redemption, for the purpose OF destroy
ing it. No. it is not dead, hor will it
die until its great work of reform in
State as We'll as National politics il
consum mated.
The members Of the Farmers Ali
ance are guaranteed their right of free
spcotiis anu tutH pollttCaI anu ItiiSIDuS
opinions are not questioned, and To day
the membership is composed of white
citizens of all political opinions and
religious cietds, and upon these broad
and conservative principles leform in
State and National matters can only be
secured no man ever saw reform ltgis-
lation in behalf of all the people elna-
nate from a partisan political party. 1t
is an impossibility.
To purify politics and ,eform govern.
mental methods it will be essential for
an uprising of the masses. irrespective
OF party names or party affiliations, and
vote together TT the ballot box on a
non.partisan platform for men of merit,
w,.o stand with you upon principle.
JOHN PICKETT,
President Of Farmers State Alliance
and Industrial Union of Louisiana.