CHAPTER IV. 



HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE. 



DURING the morning session of the third day of the called 

 meeting of the Texas State Alliance, at Waco, on January 20, 

 1887, the following preamble and resolution were adopted : 



" Whereas, One of the objects of this called session is to devise some 

 method of sending representatives into other States of the Union, for the 

 purpose of organization and co-operation with other agricultural societies; 

 therefore, be it 



"Resolved, That this body elect two of its members from each congress- 

 ional district in the State, as delegates from the order, to meet Brother J. A. 

 Tetts, a delegate from the Louisiana Farmers 1 Union, and organize a National 

 Farmers' Alliance, with instructions to procure a charter from the government 

 of the United States, if practicable, for a National Farmers 1 Alliance, or some 

 modification of that name, and to organize themselves by electing the neces- 

 sary officers and adopting a constitution and by-laws, to be submitted to the 

 order for ratification ; and, that they inaugurate an efficient system of extend- 

 ing the order rapidly in other States." 



Prior to the passage of this resolution, considerable talk had 

 been indulged in with reference to the formation of a national 

 organization. Brother C. W. Macune, Acting President of the 

 State Alliance, had corresponded with the officers of the Farm- 

 ers' Union of Louisiana, and had ascertained that their objects, 

 purposes, and membership were similar to those of the Alliance. 

 Relying upon his own sense of the natural fitness of conditions, 

 he had sent Brother Evan Jones to Louisiana, for the purpose 

 of arranging a basis of consolidation. His mission was so suc- 

 cessful that Brother J. A. Tetts was sent to the meeting at 

 Waco, with full powers to act, as the following correspondence 

 will show. 



"RusTON, LA., January 12, 1887. 

 " To the State Farmers' Alliance of the State of Texas ; Greeting : 



"Your distinguished representative, Brother Evan Jones, bearing creden- 

 tials from Hon. C. W. Macune, ex officio president of your honorable body, 

 honored our meeting with propositions that we send a delegate to meet your 

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