120 AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, 



understood perfect political economy, and all were honest, all would 

 agree, and therefore there would be no partisanism or party. 



We are a complete opposite to a political party. We dissolve preju- 

 dices, neutralize partisanism, and appeal to reason and justice for our 

 rights, and are willing to grant to all other classes the same. Party 

 appeals to prejudice, and depends on partisan hatred for power to per- 

 petuate itself. The strength of a political party is its platform, which, 

 when constructed with the highest modern art, seeks to pander to the 

 prejudices of every section. It must contain a plank for every question 

 that is agitated or discussed, and be expressed in such equivocal terms 

 as to mean one thing to one man and the opposite to another. Now, 

 since we are the very opposite of a political party, and have for our 

 object, not to get control of the chief offices of the government with all 

 their power and responsibility, and do nothing except perpetuate our- 

 selves, but to accomplish some needed reforms in the regulation of the 

 relations between the different classes of citizens, no matter which 

 party furnishes us the servants that may occupy the offices, it must be 

 plain that we would only weaken our cause were we to attempt to con- 

 struct a platform after the custom of political parties. Our strength 

 lies in an entirely different and opposite direction. We should unite 

 every effort on the accomplishment of the one reform first necessary, 

 and the most important, and rest assured that the accomplishment of 

 that will insure us a development of strength sufficient to then carry 

 other necessary reforms in their turn. With these thoughts as to the 

 policy to pursue, let us carefully consider which is the most urgent, 

 most important and necessary reform to be dignified as the battle-cry 

 of the order temporarily, till accomplished. 



THIRD DAY. 



Brother Tracy submitted the following : 



Committee appointed to wait upon Hon. Mr. Powderly reported that 

 arrangements had been made to have him address this body at 3.30 P.M., 

 with Messrs. Beaumont and Wright ; which, on motion, was adopted. 



On motion, the house adjourned to meet at 1.30 P.M. 



Convention called to order at 1.30 P.M., President Jones in the chair. 



The following resolution was read by Brother Patty of Mississippi : 



Resolved, That the National Farmers and Laborers' Union declare in 

 favor of organic union with the National Farmers' Alliance. 



That a committee of five be appointed to meet a like committee on 



