The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-22
POWER OF POPULIST
NOT FORGOTTEN
Striking Similarity Between
the New Organization
and the Old.

leaders of Doth political parties have
lately had their attention directed to
the possibility OF the Farmers Union
goiag into active politics While 1t
would perhaps he putting il a little
too strongly to say that 1hey are
alarmed over the possibility IL Is never
the less true that the rapid growth OF
the organization is already causing
some uneasiaess.
The Farmers Union was not organi-
zed for political purposes aud the
leaders of the movement insist that
politics win be barred But this state
lnent is not reassuring to the p0liti-
clans. who remember how the leaders
Of the Farmers Alliance years ago
declared there would be no politicians
Ia the organization and how few
years later the alliance played havoc
with the older political parties. There
is a striking similarity between the
neworganization aud the old In their
place of origin, purposes 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
sociatlon 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 coynties. aud in 1886 a Farmers
State Alliance was formed It's de la
ration Of principles Included F'the
education OF the agricultural classes
in the science Of economical govern
ment in strictly non-partisan spirit.
and the development of a "better state
mentally. morally, socially and finan-
cially'
In the meanwhile, organizations OF
farmers were growing up in the adj
iacent states In Arkansas was the
Wheel so called. which first saw light
in 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, al
Waco. In 1881, and out Of the two
bodies was formed the National Farm
ers' Alliance and COOPERATIVE Union
of America AZ Meridian, Miss, DE
cember s, 1888, was held a convention
between this organization and the Ma
;ional Agricultural Wheel, and from
II was evolved the Farmers and Labor
ers Union of America. AT the nexl
annual meeting. held Ia st, Louis, IN
1883, the name Of that organization
which had now spread over the Soutl
and AZ large OF the West and North
west, was changed TO that of the Ma
tional Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union, a name by which II con
tinued 20 be known until It's dissolu
ton some years later, to be revived
in the Populist party.
As before stated. the origin and his
tory OF the Farmers Alliance and th'
Farmers Union present many poiati
of striking similarity.
Like the older organization, thu
Farmers Union had its origin in Tex
as. Il was in Raines county. tha
state, that ten mea met on August 2S
1902, and formed an organization e
be called the Farmers Union The
object and aims OF the organization
were set forth in the following con
5titution:
To discourage as much as possi
BILE the present mortgage and credi
system
2 TO assist our members In buyini
aud selling
3. To labor for the education OF thu
Agricultural classes in the science o
crop diversliication and' scientific cul
ture.
4 To constantly strive to secure en-
tire harmony and good will among al
mankind and brotherly love amonl
ourselves
s To form 4 more adequate uniol
With those in authority for NOR
rigid and Impartial enforcement O
the law, that crime, vice and immoral
" may be suppressed
g. Il would garner the tears Of IN
diSiresset the blood OF the martyrs
the larglnsr OF innocent children, IN
sweat Of honest labor and the virtue
OF a happy home a. the brightest jew
els known
q. This Is no political party an
shall forever abstain from even 5
much as s discussion OF oartylsn
Yet we 10 not feel Il is rlghs 1
place shackles upon the limbs or
| paddock upon the lips Of any one VIII
may wish to dlsccss for educationa
pnrpOses the science of government
for upon ibis rock an important strul
tnrea must rest foi either mental, mo-
al or financial Development
That the lneinhefs OF the Anio
have seen NJ 10 oonsfiue The las
clause Of the constitutions % their ov
llldns IS efiden ga ly The fact iha
| Ia Mlsslsslppl and Ia other states n
local hnancheS are nl19ainR Cor y
p4eseniaiion - ihe lea'sla,lfp asacn|
les
All idea 81 what a. rtsa'fs fn'1I