THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE. 147 



For a statement of the work and duties performed in the various 

 departments, you are respectfully referred to the reports, respectively, of 

 the officers in charge. And in this connection, I recommend, with the 

 concurrence of all the officers concerned, the appointment of a compe- 

 tent committee, early in your session, who "shall, with your national 

 secretary, examine carefully and thoroughly the records of all receipts 

 and disbursements, and report thereon before your adjournment. 



It affords me pleasure to testify to the fidelity and efficient labor of 

 all the officers connected with your national office. 



An intelligent conception and comprehension of the relations and 

 reciprocal obligations between the citizen and the government is one of 

 the highest attributes of American citizenship ; and under our form of 

 government, one of the most important and responsible duties devolving 

 upon the citizen is the attainment of this knowledge. Hence, first and 

 foremost in our " declaration of principles," we announce that we are 

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

 economical government, in a strictly non-partisan spirit, and to bring 

 about a more perfect union of said classes." 



Were it the design of the framers of our organic law to impress our 

 membership with the responsible and patriotic duty of reaching that 

 exalted standard in citizenship to which all American freemen should 

 aspire, and to assert that our organization was political in the highest 

 sense of that term, they were fortunate in adopting the language used in 

 this declaration. But while our organization is political, it cannot be 

 partisan or sectional in its action. In support of this declaration, we 

 proudly point to our whole past record and to the recent popular elec- 

 tion, and particularly to the noble and patriotic bearing of the brother- 

 hood in the States of Kansas and South Carolina. 



It is as needless as it would be criminal to attempt to disguise the 

 fact that, as an organization, we have reached a critical period in our 

 existence. Insidious and powerful influences are seeking to divert us 

 from the high purposes and grand objects for which we were organized. 

 Flushed and elated with success, marvellous in many of its aspects, 

 and the most remarkable in the political history of this country, let 

 us not impair its prestige and power by indifference or inactivity on the 

 one hand, or by grasping for the impracticable or unattainable on the 

 other. 



Strong as we are and strong as we must become, strong enough, if 

 united, to render our lines impregnable to any open or opposing force, 

 yet we are not strong enough, nor can we be, to withstand the intrigue 

 and treachery of foes within. Our principles must find their " city of 



OF THE 



