The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-21
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Interesting Facts About the Condition Of
the Order in the United States-A
National Officer Interviewed.
The State, 14th.1

Just returned from the annual meeLlDg
of that body at Topeka, Kan, and he
gives much information about the meet
ing and the general condition of the
order, as shown by the reports present
ed from the different States.
The most interesting feature of the
information afforded by this officer yes
terday was the announcement of the
exact strength of "our noble order" in
this State, as shown by the official re-
port. The Alliance has all along been
considered an important factor in
South Carolina politics, and it will sur
prise great many to know that the
president of the State Alliance reported
that there were $4,000 members of the
order in this State who had kept their
dues paid up to date. He further re-
ported that the entire membership of
the order in this State, as shown by the
rolls, was 3S, 900.
Col. Duncan says that twenty-four
States in the Union were represented
at the national gathering by thirty
five delegates, and several, States sent
ir full reports. North Carolina report
ed mem mbership of26 600 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
it would. A great many had gone into
it expecting a hasty business revou-
ton. He says the Alliance is pow
pretty strong in the following States:
North and South Carolina, Virginia,
Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala
bama, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, 1ndi-
ana, Michigan, Colorado, South Dako-
ia, California, Iowa, Missouri, Nebras-
ka, Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah and Illi-
nois.
The secretary says it is in much
stronger and more healthy condition
in the South than anywhere else. He
says this is due to the fact that in
large measure the Alliance did not,
in the South, leave and 60 into the
Populist party, as it did in the North
and West. Some States thought that
it was an order for political purposes
only, but now their ideas have been
changed, as is shown, he says, by the
following address issued to the Alliance
people of the country by committee
on the good of the order, of which the
new president, Marion Butler, of North
Carolina, was the chairman:
To the members of the n. F. A. and
I. u, and to all whom it may con-
cern:
Since the inception of this grand or
ganization there have been those who
thought that when some political party
championed our political demands,
that then the mission of the organiza-
ton was ended. This belief is based on
the belief that political party will
taa care of the interests of the farmers.
| This is fatal mistake. Besides, it is
proven by the acts of every other class
Of citizens Except politicians) 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 politi-
cal parties are controlled by politi-
| clans.
Second-That politicians never serve
any cause or class of citizens from
sense of justice, but always through
policy, fear or gain.
Therefore, the class Of citizens repre-
sented by the Farmers Alliance and
Industrial Union can never hope for
or secure relief or justice from any po-
litical party, not even from one that
claims to champion and endorse its
every principle and demand, unless
they maintain an organization that
will ever stand as an effective support
to the man and the party that dares to
do right, and a constant menace to
those who care trifle with the rights
and liberties of the people. Hence the
Supreme Council solemnly warns those
who are true to the principles of the
Alliance that they would make most
fatal mistake if they gave up the organ
ization which is the only power that
can force these reforms through any
political party, and if indeed We were
living under perfectly just govern
meut to-day, the organization would
still be absolutely necessary as a great
moral force to keep it so.
But our supreme Council calls upon
you to ever remember that the organi-
zation has a great mission to perform
outside of political reform.
If tho wealth producers of America
are to keep pace with the march Of
civilization they must do it through
social and intellectual contact. We
have not only grown in mind and heart
by such association and contact, but
We pool our intellect for the mutual
advancement of our best interests. We
desire political reform to enable US to
carry out the mission.
Therefore, in conclusion, the Supreme
Council appeals to every one who be-
lieves in the principles of the Alliance
to stand by and extend the organiza-
ton not only to secure the benefits
that come from organization, but also
to make certain that some political
party shall! enact their demands into
law.
| IL.