CHAPTER XII. 



HISTORY OF THE COLORED FARMERS* NATIONAL ALLIANCE AND, 

 CO-OPERATIVE UNION. 



BY GENERAL R. M. HUMPHREY, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE COLORED FARMERS' 

 NATIONAL ALLIANCE AND CO-OPERATIVE UNION. 



THE Colored Farmers' Alliance had its origin in Texas. The first 

 subordinate Colored Alliance was organized in Houston County, in that 

 State, on the eleventh day of December, 1886. Immediately following 

 this, a number of others were organized in Houston and adjoining 

 counties. The necessity for general organization soon became apparent. 

 Accordingly these several Alliances chose delegates to a central conven- 

 tion, which assembled in the Good Hope Baptist Church, at Weldon, 

 on the twenty-ninth day of the same month. After some discussion 

 and earnest prayer, it was unanimously agreed that union and organiza- 

 tion had become necessary to the earthly salvation of the colored race. 



The convention then proceeded to adopt the following declaration of 

 principles : 



"i. To create a body corporate and politic, to be known as 'The Alliance of 

 Colored Farmers of Texas.' 



" 2. The objects of this corporation shall be : (<z) To promote agriculture and 

 horticulture; () To educate the agricultural classes in the science of economic 

 government, in a strictly non-partisan spirit, and to bring about a more perfect union 

 of said classes; (r) To develop a better state mentally, morally, socially, and finan- 

 cially; (</) To create a better understanding for sustaining our civil officers in main- 

 taining law and order; (^) To constantly strive to secure entire harmony and good 

 will to all mankind, and brotherly love among ourselves; (/) To suppress personal, 

 local, sectional, and national prejudices, and all unhealthful rivalry and selfish ambi- 

 tion; () To aid its members to become more skilful and efficient workers, promote 

 their general intelligence, elevate their character, protect their individual rights; the 

 raising of funds for the benefit of sick or disabled members, or their distressed 

 families; the forming a closer union among all colored people who may be eligible 

 to membership in this association." 



This declaration was promptly signed by the following colored men, 

 being all the delegates present : H. J. Spencer, William Armistead, 

 R. M. Saddler, Anthony Turner, T. Jones, N. C. Crawley, J. W. Peters, 

 Israel McGilbra, G. W. Coney, Green Lee, J. J. Shuffer, Willis Nichols, 

 Jacob Fairfax, Abe Fisher, S. M. Montgomery, John Marshall. 

 288 



