East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-06-22

Chicago, June 22.-The national
leaders of both political parties have
lately had their Intention directed to
the possibility of the Farmers Union
going into active politics. While 1t
would perhaps be putting it a little
700 strongly to say that they are
alarmed over the possibility 1t is
true that the rapid
growth Of the organization is already
causing some uneasiness.
The Farmers union was not organ
lied for political purposes and the
leaders of the movement insist that
politics will be barred. But this state
ment is not reassuring to the politi-
clans. who remember how the leaders
of the Farmers Alliance years ago
declared there would be no polti?
clans in the organization and how a
few years later the alliance played
havoc with the older political parties.
There is a striking similarity between
the new organization and the old. In
their place of origin, purpose and
growth the two have been almost
identical.
The first farmers alliance had its
birth in Lampasas county, Texas, in
1876. The objects of this pioneer as
sociation we're purely local, and con-
fined to defense against the depreda-
tions of cattle and land thieves. The
movement was taken up, however. by
other counties. and in 1886 Farmers
State Alliance was formed. Its dec
laration of principles included "the
education of the agricultural classes
In the science OF economical govern
ment in a strictly non-partisan spirit"
and the development of a "better
state mentally, morally, socially and
financially"
Tn the meanwhile. organizations of
farmers were growing up in the ada
cent states. In Arkansas was the
Wheel so called, which first saw light
in a school house In western Arkan-
sas, in 1882. In Louisiana was the
Farmers union. Delegates from the
latter met with delegates from the
Texas Farmers state Alliance, at Was
was formed the National Farmers
Alliance and Co-Operative Union of
America. At Meridian. Miss. Decem-
ber 5. 1883. was held a convention
between This organization and the
National Agricultural Wheel and
from II was evolved the Farmers and
Lahorers Union of America. At the
next annun, meating. held In St
Louis. in 1889. the name of that or
over the south and a large part of
the west and northwest, was changed
to that OF the National Farmers AL
lance and Industrial Union. name
by which II continued to be known
until its dissolution some years later
to be revived in the populst party.
As before stated, the origin and
history of the Farmers Alliance and
the Farmers Union present many
points of striking similarity.
Like tho older Organization. the
Farmers Union had its origin in
Texas. 1t was in Raines county. that
state, that 10 men met on August 2S,
1902, and formed an organization to
be called the Farmers Union. The
objects and aims Of the organization
were set forth in the following con-
stitution:
1. To discourage as much as pos
sible the present mortgage and credit
system.
2. To assist our members in buy
ing and selling.
3. To labor for the education Of
the agricultural classes in the science
of crop diversification and scientific
culture.
4. To constantly strive to secure
entire harmony and good will among
all mankind and brotherly love among
ourselves.
s. To form more adequate union
with those in authority for a more
rigid and impartial enforcement of