The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-12
BIG DAY AT" SENECA.
Grand Rally OF the Alliance Mag
mates -Abbeville Furnishes the


1t was our pleasure 10 attend the Grand
Alliance rally OF the Piedmont section, al
Seneca, July 4th. 1fany one ever entertain ed
the idea that the farmers OF that section hao
did tHd' not not1asi justify = the he opinion.
Early in the day people began to pour IN
from every direction, and soon three tnous,
and were assembled In the beautiful grove
where the speaking was held. large stand,
draped with national colors and ornamented
with sheafs of wheat and oats, had been
erected. At ten o'clock the presiding omcer,
Hon. J. r. Earle announced the exercises
would be opened with prayer by Rev. J. NJ.
Mcguire, after which he introduced as the
first speaker, Hon. j. R. Blake, Jr.. lecturer
Of the State Alliance.
LEND HELPING HAND.
As the committee had assigned each speak,
er bis subject for discussion, Mr.. Blake, for
an hour entertained his audience with the
theme, "Lend Helping Hand" He paid an
eloquent tribute 10 the fidelity OF the farmers 81
principles of the order from the days OF lts
swaddling clothes to the present. Its mission
has been the uplift OF humanity, the improve
nent Of home the purity OF soSiety ahd iob bns =,
inculcates underlie the foundation OF society
and government, and from the standpoint OF
patriotism and statesmanship, ne cialmeo 1ol
loyal Citizen. He forcibiy pointed out the
dangers threatening the country from The
formation of trusts and monopolles. and ap'
pealed to all to aid in averting the impending
danger.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE ALLIANCE.
Hon. j.. C. Wilburn, president Of the State
Alliance. was the next speaker. He discussed
the Accomplishment OF the Alliance, ano
the order. He reviewed the great financial
benefits derived from the organization by It's
members. he appealed to the young men to to
espouse the principles q the nG e~nitv
and whose motto was, Equal rights 10 all
and special privileges to none."
ALLIANCE LEGISLATION.
Hon. A. q. Latimer followed in an address
s ssSSsSk Mst Hs hs uxsd
importance OF cooperation which was as
essential now as when the Alliance was first
organized. He denounced. with emphasis,
Alliance, and said the credit system had done
more than anything else to ipjure 1t and as
long as the people pursued such course tne
present statues OF affairs would exist. Ihe
Alliance had succeeded In impresslng Its de-
mands upon legislation, and II the people
would remain true to the order, beneficial re.
suits would accrue.
ADVANTAGES OF COOPERATION.
Hon. ]. G. Talbert, the next speaker, enter
tained the audience with bis flow OF wit and
.humor. He showed the advantages Of coop
Grafton on the part Of the farmers and the
necessity Of sustaining the Alliance. Farm.
ers could only meet trusts and monopoly by
united effort, and such was the demand then
now. Said he was stronger Allianceman
now than ever, and bis voice would always
be heard In defence OF the order.
NATIONAL TENDENCIES.
Senator Tillman, the last speaker, discussed
"National Conditions and Tendencies" His
speech was characteristic Of him and aroused
the usual enthusiasm. He pointed out the
dangers threatening the country in the rapid
formation OF trusts and monopolies which
subverts the law Of supply and demand. He
strongly denounced the expansion policy OF
the government in the Philippine war and
considers such q course con trary to the spirit
OF our constitution. His speech was well
received.
THE DINNER.
After conclusion Of the spanking at two
o'clock dinner was announced Ind the vast
crowd repaired to the tables where rich
feast awaited them. The exercises OF the day
were interspersed with inspiring music by
the band, and we doubt II Seneca has ever
before had such celebration OF the day OF
our national independence as on the above
occasion.
May the Alliance ever flourish and the peo-
pie OF Oconee live to reap untold blessings
from the organization. E.