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CHAPTER VI.

HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE

concluded.

It was both hoped and expected that the Alliance of the Northwest would consolidate with the National Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union, as had the Union and Wheel, and form one grand agricultural organization. All efforts in that direction proved futile, through the persistent opposition of a few men who have since been relegated to obscurity. Much disappointment was manifested, and considerable ill-feeling was engendered over the failure of consolidation. A careful analysis ́ of the causes which conspired to bring about this result disclosed the fact that sectionalism, that old enemy of national organized labor, was the controlling factor. The members of the order rapidly sized up the situation, and the matter of consolidation was soon lost sight of in the vigorous effort to push the organization into new territory. The agreement made with the Knights of Labor added much strength to the movement, and gave it a standing among a class of people who had heretofore been inclined to doubt its motives and methods. This compact has stood the assaults of both old political parties, and is the rallying cry of labor in production at the present time.

Immediately after this meeting, President L. L. Polk and Secretary J. H. Turner opened offices in Washington, District of Columbia, the Grand Council having provided for such action. Active, aggressive work was begun at once. Brother C. W. Macune, Chairman of the Executive Board, called the balance of the board, Brothers A. Wardall of South Dakota and J. F. Tillman of Tennessee, to Washington, for consultation. At this meeting the whole situation was thoroughly discussed with President Polk. A plan of campaign was agreed upon, and an agreement made to push the work vigorously. The now famous sub-treasury bill was drawn up and introduced into both houses of Congress, and arrangements were made to send out literature and secure petitions. Brother Macune being at the head of the

Legislative Committee, also did some grand work for the order in that direction. Believing in direct methods, and at the same time being conservative and consistent, his efforts were soon felt in Congress, and the effects were seen throughout the whole country.

President Polk soon had organizers at work in nearly every North and Northwestern State, and the fruits of their labors. began to appear. As the result of such efforts, the States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and California were added to the organization, with other States well under way. The little difficulties in Texas and Missouri were met and overcome by the prompt action of the national officers, and the whole order was put on the high road of prosperity. The vitality of the order was disclosed by the manner in which it withstood the shock of a hotly contested political campaign. In this contest the Alliance was no passive factor. It made itself both known and felt in many States. Its methods differed somewhat in different sections, but the one idea of a change of conditions obtained all through the contest. In the South, the Alliance directed its efforts to the primaries, while in the North and West it made the fight at the polls. In the South, the new Alliance principle, known as the sub-treasury plan, furnished the basis for nearly all contention. The Alliance stood squarely upon that measure, and made its provisions the gauge of fealty. Congressman after Congressman, who could not stand the test, was deposed, and a tried Alliance man put in his place. In the West, the St. Louis demands, or compact, were made the basis of operations.

The history of politics furnishes no parallel to the campaign in the West, especially in Kansas and Dakota. Independent candidates were nominated, and a square fight was made between the reform element and the old political parties. As the campaign advanced, the feeling became more bitter and intense. An idea prevailed among the members of the order that a failure would prove the destruction of the Alliance, and result in the complete bankruptcy of nearly all its members. Because of this belief, the struggle became fierce and strong. Past affiliations were forgotten; party ties were broken; and an entirely new political alignment was effected. The two old parties aided

each other where it was possible, and the entire power of partisan machinery was worked to its utmost capacity. Opposition simply provoked increased efforts, and political trickery increased watchfulness, and the effective work of the independents continued amid it all. Education on economic lines had been doing its perfect work, and the people were filled with a desire to obtain further information. As a result of this, these reform meetings were the largest political gatherings ever seen on this continent. When the end came, and the smoke of battle had cleared away, the ground was found thickly strewn with the political corpses of the candidates of both old parties. In the South, the States of Georgia and North and South Carolina made the best showing; while in the West, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas led the others. The effect of this political contest will go down to future generations. It marked an epoch in the history of American politics. It was a deserved rebuke to old party methods, and a rugged notice that conditions must be changed. The lessons taught by this campaign will not soon be forgotten; neither will the power and advantage gained by the people soon be relinquished.

During the summer and through the political canvass, vile and vicious attacks were made by the old parties upon the organization as a body, and its national officers in particular, Brothers Polk and Macune coming in for the largest share. Through all this the membership stood firm, with but here and there an exception. Of course the excitement incident to a political campaign retarded, to some extent, the work of organizing; but the seed sown during this time was destined to bring forth a rich harvest of new recruits, which is now being gathered. The success of this campaign increased the interest of the public generally, and the politicians in particular, in the national. meeting that was to be held in December of that year. Taken as a whole, the year's work had proven very satisfactory indeed. President Polk had visited nearly every State in person, and had contributed his full share toward the ultimate success attained. The reform press had been strengthened and encouraged, and was doing a truly wonderful work in the line of education.

The wisdom of having the national organ of the order located at Washington was clearly shown by the great benefit derived

ren.

by the entire brotherhood from the National Economist. This paper, under the guidance of Brother C. W. Macune, exerted a wide-spread influence for good throughout the entire nation, and demonstrated the fact that reform papers, in order to obtain and retain a standing among intelligent people, must take a dignified, conservative position. Education being the foundation stone of the order, everything possible was done to make progress in that direction. Newspapers, pamphlets, tracts, etc., were sent out in great numbers, and eagerly read by the brethThe new principle of government loans direct to the people was thoroughly and intelligently discussed. The result has demonstrated the fact that the people, as a rule, are willing to learn the truth, and when once learned, are quite apt to act accordingly. This wave of education on economic questions spread with great rapidity, and its effects have been truly wonderful. The Sub-Alliances, through the discussion of financial and other matters, have brought men and women to public notice who are destined to fill important positions in the future conduct of this nation. The reform press is filled with letters from members of these subordinate Alliances, which are not only sound in principle, but full of good sense and practical ideas. Men and methods are no longer taken for granted, but must first pass through the ordeal of a thorough analysis in the Alliance. By this means, the trickster is discovered, the demagogue exposed, and the scoundrel avoided.

During the entire year, nothing but educational methods were considered. Every point in this regard was strengthened, and all undertakings encouraged. The national officers were continually at work endeavoring to show the people the necessity of understanding their own situation. The result was highly satisfactory to all concerned. The order grew rapidly during the year, in numbers and importance. It became more unified and accustomed to the methods and usages of organization. The necessity for united action became more apparent each day, and a general desire to work harmoniously for the good of all seemed to pervade the entire order. The success at the elections disclosed the power of united action, and gave universal encouragement.

The year began with a large organization, with untried machinery, considerable differences of opinion, and in some cases

a fear of the result. It ended with a much larger membership, with an almost complete system of organization working smoothly, nearly all differences eliminated, and a record of triumphs all along the line. Such was the year 1890. Long will it be remembered by the brotherhood. As the time for the annual meeting approached, President Polk gave up lecturing and speaking, and took a general survey of the situation, preparatory to making his report. He found nothing but success and improvement on every hand. He had the proud satisfaction of giving to the brethren of the national meeting a most satisfactory account of his stewardship. While it had been to him a year of unremitting toil and anxiety, it had been to the order one of prosperity and rapid advancement.

At the St. Louis meeting, Brother Macune brought forward the sub-treasury plan, and the meeting indorsed it by an overwhelming majority. In fact, there were but seven votes against it. This measure, which has been fully explained in another part of this work, soon became the rallying cry of the order. By common consent, it was accepted as the one great principle of the Alliance, and it proved to be the greatest educator yet brought to notice. During the winter of 1890 a bill embodying its principles was introduced into both houses of Congress, and the contest at once began. The old party papers antagonized it, and the politicians went wild with rage over the innovation, as they termed it. Amidst it all, Alliance members and papers continued to argue in its favor; precedents and matters of legislation were gathered from every possible source, until all opposition was confused and confounded. Petitions by the thousands were poured into Congress, as well as letters and resolutions, until both the old parties became thoroughly alarmed at the outlook. Congress continued in session very late, and when the politicians finally reached home, they found the Alliance thoroughly entrenched and working for its principles. It is the sub-treasury plan, and the vivifying effects which followed its investigation, and the senseless ridicule of the opposition, that concentrated the hosts of the Alliance and brought substantial victories in the South; and the same may be said, but in a somewhat less degree, of the Northwest.

As the time for the Ocala meeting approached, the interest

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