28 AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



will be noticed that the Alliance met each month, but it should 

 be understood that the Grand State Alliance was confined almost 

 entirely to one county. The next meeting was at Peaster's 

 Springs, Parker County. 



The following is a copy of the declaration of purposes ordered 

 printed by the Grand State Alliance, at its meeting held in 

 Friendship, Wise County, August 5, 1880. It should be read 

 t* by all who are interested in the history of the Alliance, as' it 

 shows plainly the germ that has sprouted and grown into the 

 present grand organization. 



"DECLARATION OF PURPOSES. 



"PROFOUNDLY impressed that we as the Farmers 1 Alliance, united by the 

 strong and faithful ties of financial and home interest, should set forth our 

 declaration of intentions, we therefore Resolve: 



"i. To labor for the Alliance and its purposes, assured that a faithful 

 observance of the following principles will insure our mental, moral, and 

 financial improvement. 



"2. To endorse the motto, 'In things essential, Unity, and in all things 

 Charity.' 



"3. To develop a better state, mentally, morally, socially, and financially. 



"4. To create a better understanding for sustaining our civil officers in 

 maintaining law and order. 



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

 all mankind and brotherly love among ourselves. 



"6. To suppress personal, local, sectional, and national prejudices, all 

 unhealthy rivalry and all selfish ambition. 



"THE MEETING AT PEASTER'S SPRINGS. 



" The Grand State Alliance assembled at Peaster's Springs, Parker County, 

 Texas, September n, 1880, at ten o'clock A.M. House called to order by 

 President J. N. Montgomery. The doorkeeper being absent, the president 

 appointed F. M. Brown doorkeeper pro tern., and ordered the word taken up. 

 Finding all correct, the Alliance was opened in the third degree. Roll call : 

 J. N. Montgomery, President ; J. H. Dover, Secretary ; L. G. Oxford, Lecturer ; 

 J. W. Sullivan, Treasurer ; W. C. Thompson, Assistant Doorkeeper, answered 

 to roll call. W. T. Baggett, Vice-President ; J. C. Gilliland, Assistant Sec- 

 retary; Andy Dunlap, Assistant Secretary; J. S. Welch, Doorkeeper, were 

 absent. J. S. Welch's excuse rendered and received by the Grand State 

 Alliance. Baggett, Dunlap, Gilliland, were fined 50 cents each. Delegates 

 from Wise County Alliance: W. L. Garvin and J. A. Culvvell. Culwell was 

 absent, and fined 60 cents. For Parker and Jack Counties: Alliance No. i, 

 H. H. Nookes; Central, No. 2, J. W. Potts and J. M. Brown, present; W. 



