No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 81 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA 

 STATE FARMERS' ALLIANCE AND INDUSTRIAL UNION. 



DECLARATION OF PURPOSES. 



Whereas, The general condition of our country imperatively de- 

 mands unity of action on the part of the farming and laboring classes, 

 reformation in economy, and the dissemination of principles best 

 calculated to encourage and foster agricultural and mechanical pur- 

 suits, encouraging the toiling masses, leading them in the road to 

 prosperity, and providing a just and fair remuneration for labor, a 

 just exchange for our commodities, and the best means of securing 

 to the laboring classes the greatest amount of good; we hold to the 

 principle that all overpowering monopolies are dangerous to the best 

 interests of our country, tending to enslave a free people, and subvert 

 and finally overthrow the great principles purchased to the fathers 

 of American liberty. We, therefore, adopt the following as our de- 

 claration of principles: 



1. To labor for the education of the agricultural classes in the 

 science of economical government, in a strict non-partisan spirt, and 

 to bring about a more perfect union of said classes. 



2. That we demand equal rights, and exact justice to all and 

 special favors to none. 



3. To endorse the motto, "In things essential, unity; and in all 

 things, charity." 



4. To develop a better state, mentally, morally, socially and finan- 

 cially. 



5. To constantly strive to secure entire harmony and good will to 

 all mankind, and brotherly love among ourselves. 



G. To suppress personal, local, sectional and national prejudices; 

 all unhealthy rivalry, and all selfish ambition. 



7. The brightest jewels which it garners are the tears of widows 

 and orphans, and its imperative commands are to visit the homes 

 where lacerated hearts are bleeding; assuage the sufferings of a 

 brother or sister; bury the dead, care for the widows, and educate 

 the orphans; to exercise charity towards offenders; to construe 

 words and deeds in their most favorable light, granting honesty of 

 purpose and good intention to others; and to protect the principles 

 of the Alliance unto death. Its laws are reason and equity; its 

 cardinal doctrines inspire purity of thought and life; its intention is, 

 "on earth peace and good will toward men.'* 



8. We are, furthermore, more than ever profoundly impressed 

 with the importance of unity of action in practice, as well as theory, 

 in order that the true interests of the country, as well as the town 

 and city, may be completely subserved. 



6—7—1900 



