The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1894-08-18
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE AL
lance,

Extracts from Presiden. Pjcketts Address
to the Farmers Alliance at the Annual Ses
sion held at Natchitoches, La.. on Angus
It'll. 1924
1t is with feeling of the deepest so
lcitude for the future of our Order
that appear before YOU on this, tbs
ninth annual convention of the Farm
ers' State Alliance aud Industrial
Union of Louisiana It shall be NY
effort to present for your consideration
the condition OF the Order at this time
and to make such suggestions as, in my
judgement, will place it again upon
broad gauge TO prosperity.
We are told that in order to have
our reform principles enacted into law
that We must be partisan, in orCer that
we may control our legislators and
force them to obey the mandates OF the
people. Bat say to voa, that no re-
form Legislation can enlanate in the
mind of u partisan legislator, and thatn,
general legislation on reform line car
oe enacted by a partisan political party
Partisanism is intensely radical and
operates for the execution OF selfish
measures, therefore no conservative
action for reform can cmanato from
that quarter. Reform must come in /,
non partisan way, by an upheaval OF
the people, irrespective Of political
party or religious creed and strike of
the head of that vile OCtapus. partisan.
ism. Since 1892 the Farmers Alliance
met with many serious reverses. It's
members have been luke-warm and
ineffective Of their Alliance duties, the
result OF which has greatly reduced its
membership. The cause of this negli-
9ence is laid at the door of hard times
and scarcity of money, bat this Is not d
fact. The true secret of the trouble
that mas caused the downfall of our
Order is the injecting into it partisan
politics. Money can DC found to pay
expenses of political clubs and leagues,
but 81 cents month cannot be spared
to pay your dues to your sub-unlon.
When partisan politics was introduced
into your lodge, it was dobauched. and
your principles corrupted, hence you
lost your interest and love for your
Order. The Lafayette convention of
the State Alliance was the grandest
gathering OF the farmers ever held in
this State. Forty-four parishes re-
sponded 10 roll call with ninety dele
gates present. Here it stood proud
and imperial and at the zenith Of It's
glory. The hope Of its future was
made as brilliant as II monday sun by
its past success: all was lovely as n MAY
day. 70 overwheim the State was a.
mere matter Of time. No obstacle
could obstruct It's advance movement.
and at the very moment when the adj
vance guard was in the act Of planting
it's banner IF reform upon the state
Capital at Baton Rouge, aid the disap-
pointed politicians standing in silent
msditatipg on the power of
the sovereign people, the evil hour
came. partisan politics had entered her
tent. and her virtue was outraged.
The poisonous fang of the politician
had penetrated its fold, and done its
work. Unity Of action WAS DESTROYED,
and the Alliance divided. TWENTY-FIVE
delegates OF this convention did not
approve OF the action OF combining
with partisan political party and de-
scented from the action of the majority,
and withdrew their support from the
Alliance nominee for governor who
was Captain +. y Adains, Of East