The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-02-22
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
1T WILL BE KEPT OUT OF POLITICS
IN FUTURE.

Meeting of tho Nsl,ralj Alliance vt To-
peka-The Co 1dision- OF tho 0 DIR il
South Carolina.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb 4.--Col. d. u.
Duncan, the secretary of the National
Farmers Alliance, has just returned
from the annual meeting of that body
at Topeka, Kan, and he gives much in.
formation about the meeting and the
general condition of the order, as shown
by the reports presented from the diff
ferent States.
The most interesting feature Of the
information afforded by this officer
yesterday was the announcement Of
the exact strength Of the Alliance ia
this State, as shown by the official re.
port. The Alliance has all along been
considered an important factor in
South Carolina politics, and 1t will sur.
prise great many to know that the
president Of the State Alliance report.
ed that there were 15,OOO members Of
the order In this State who had kept
their dues paid up to date. lie further
reported that the entire membership p
of the order In this State, as shown by
the rolls, was 81, 600.
Col. Duncan says that twenty iOur
States in the Union we're represented
at the national gathering by thirty-Gve
Delegates, and several States sent in
full reports. North Carolina reported
membership of 10000 paid up men.
Col. Duncan says there has been no
real increase in the membership of the
Alliance, viewed as national order,
during the past year, but that it has
held Its own better than they thought
1t would. A great many had gone into
1t expecting hasty business revolu-
tion. He says the Alliance is now
pretty strong In the following States
North and South Carolina, Virginia,
Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala.
bams, Texas. Kentucky, Tennessee,
Pennsylvania, OHIO, New York, Indi-
ana, Michigan, Colorado, South Dako-
ia, California. Iowa, Missouri, Nebras.
ka, Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah and Iii.
nois. The secretary says 1t Is In a
| much stronger and more healthy con.
| dition in the South than anywhere else
| He says this Is due to the fact that in &
large measure that the Alliance die
not In the South leave aud 60 into the
Populist party, as 1T did In the Nortt
and West. Some States thought tha
it was an order for political purposes
only, but now their ideas have beel
changed, as Is shown, ho says, by tn
following address issued to the ALI
ance people of the country by "a com
mlttee on the good of the order o
which the new president, Marion But
ler, OF N orth Carolina, was the chair
man:
10 the members of the N. +. A. au
| l. u, and to all whom it NAV con
Germ:
Since the inception Of this grand or
ganizatton there have been those wht
thought that when some political par
ty championed our political demands
CnaG then the mission # the organic /
tion was ended. This belief is based
on the BELIEF that political party Will
take care of the interests of the farm,
| ers. This Is fatal mistake. Besides
1t Is proven by the acts of every other
class OF citizens Except pOlticians)
that they do not rely on parties alone
but organize for influence on any and
all parties.
Every wealth producer Of America
should ever keep the following truths
before him:
FIrst-That sooner or later all pollt
| ical parties are controlled by politicians
SecOnd-That politicians never serve
| any cause or class Of citizens from a
| sense OF justice, but always through
| policy, fear or gain.
Therefore the class of citizens repre-
| sented by the Farmers Alliance ant
Industrial Union can never hone for OF
secure relief or justice from any polit
1cal Earty, not even FROM one that
claims to champion and endorse its
every principle and demand, unless they
maintain an organization that will eve
stand as an effective support to the
man and the party thae darest to dc
right, and q constant menace to those
who dare tri1e with tho rights anc
liberties Of the people. Hence thu
Supreme Council solemny warns those
who are true to the principles Of ths
Alliance that they would make most
fatal mistake If they give up the or
ganixion which Is the only power that
can force these reforms through an,
political party, and If indeed we wers
living under perfectly just govern
ment today, the organization WoulC
stlll De absolutely necessary as a grea'
moral force to keep it 80.
But our Supreme Council calls upor
you to ever remember that the organ
lZatl0n has a great mission perform
outside of political reform.
Ii the wealth producers Of Americf
are to keep place with the march O.
civilization they must do it through
social and intellectual contract. W.
nave not only grown in mind and hear,
by such association and contact but we
pool our intellect for the mutual al.
Vdncement Of our best interest. We de.
sire political reform to euable us tc
carry out the mission.
Therefore, In conclusion the Supreme
council appeals to every one who be.
iieves In the principles Of the Allan :e
TO stand by and extend tho organization
not only to secure the benefits that
come from organic alton but also to
make certain that some political party
snail enact their demands unto law.
Col. Duncan says that the Alliance is
much stronger in South Carolina than
anywhere else, owing to the ex-
cellence Of the work Of the ex
changes. He says the exchanges have
Deen doing better work in these two
states than any other in the United
States
He says the Alliance, as a body, in.
tends to keep clear Of politics. Ali