THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE. 135 



each other where it was possible, and the entire power of par- 

 tisan machinery was worked to its utmost capacity. Opposition 

 simply provoked increased efforts, and political trickery increased 

 watchfulness, and the effective work of the independents con- 

 tinued amid it all. Education on economic lines had been doing 

 its perfect work, and the people were filled with a desire to 

 obtain further information. As a result of this, these reform 

 meetings were the largest political gatherings ever seen on this 

 continent. When the end came, and the smoke of battle had 

 cleared away, the ground was found thickly strewn with the 

 political corpses of the candidates of both old parties. In the 

 South, the States of Georgia and North and South Carolina 

 made the best showing ; while in the West, Kansas, Nebraska, 

 and the Dakotas led the others. The effect of this political 

 contest will go down to future generations. It marked an epoch 

 in the history of American politics. It was a deserved rebuke 

 to old party methods, and a rugged notice that conditions must 

 be changed. The lessons taught by this campaign will not soon 

 be forgotten ; neither will the power and advantage gained by 

 the people soon be relinquished. 



During the summer and through the political canvass, vile 

 and vicious attacks were made by the old parties upon the 

 organization as a body, and its national officers in particular, 

 Brothers Polk and Macune coming in for the largest share. 

 Through all this the membership stood firm, with but here and 

 there an exception. Of course the excitement incident to a 

 political campaign retarded, to some extent, the work of organ- 

 izing ; but the seed sown during this time was destined to bring 

 forth a rich harvest of new recruits, which is now being gathered. 

 The success of this campaign increased the interest of the pub- 

 lic generally, and the politicians in particular, in the national 

 meeting that was to be held in December of that year. Taken 

 as a whole, the year's work had proven very satisfactory indeed. 

 President Polk had visited nearly every State in person, and had 

 contributed his full share toward the ultimate success attained. 

 The reform press had been strengthened and encouraged, and 

 was doing a truly wonderful work in the line of education. 



The wisdom of having the national organ of the order located 

 at Washington was clearly shown by the great benefit derived 



