THE ALLIANCE IN TEXAS. 47 



Plans were also formulated to perfect a national organization 

 and carry the order into other States. It was under these con- 

 ditions, and for the purpose of arranging the difficulties growing 

 out of the split in the organization, that the called session at 

 Waco was convened. It was a remarkable meeting. A promi- 

 nent member of that session says : 



" The meeting began with nearly every one ready, and expecting serious 

 difficulty. It continued for nearly two days in a turmoil of excitement and 

 bad feeling, and finished its labors on the fourth day amidst a regular love- 

 feast, and with the brightest prospects." 



The declaration of purposes, up to the Cleburne meeting, in 

 1886, consisted of six divisions. At this meeting, division num- 

 ber one was changed and number seven added. As will be seen 

 in the old constitution, division one read as follows : 



*' To labor for the Alliance and its purposes, assured that a faithful observ- 

 ance of the following principles will insure our mental, moral, and financial 

 improvement." 



The one great danger which threatened the Alliance was the 

 introduction of partisan politics. Brother Macune, realizing 

 the true condition, and believing that future success demanded 

 a proper beginning, introduced the following as a substitute for 

 this section : 



"To labor for the education of the agricultural classes in the science of 

 economical government, in a strictly non-partisan spirit." 



This gave rise to a lengthy debate, but was finally adopted, and 

 has proved what Brother Macune declared it would, the founda- 

 tion rock on which the superstructure of the Alliance has been 

 built. The wisdom of this declaration is being demonstrated 

 daily, and its necessity is recognized by all. 



Section number seven was added without much debate, and 

 was considered at the time of no great importance. It was 

 written and presented to the committee for consideration, by 

 Brother W. H. H. Shook, a school teacher from Grayson County, 

 Texas. It has grown in favor with the Alliance, until now no 

 member can read it, or hear it read during service, without a 

 feeling of honest pride in being able to belong to an order that 

 promulgates such noble sentiments. In accepting this section, 



