136 HISTORY OF THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



the principles and teachings that alone will preserve and 

 perpetuate republican institutions and the blessings of 

 human liberty; and, 



" WHEREAS, One of the prime objects of good gov- 

 ernment should be to promote the intelligence, loyalty 

 and conservatism of its citizens, and afford them the high- 

 est possible facilities for securing and enjoying the full 

 measure of liberty, prosperity and happiness; and, 



' ' WHEREAS, Viewing with alarm the tendency in this 

 government to reverse these cardinal conditions a re- 

 publican form of government and a free and prosperous 

 people by the concentration of its wealth and power in 

 the hands of a few, to the impoverishment and bondage 

 of the many, and the rapid growth of cetralization and 

 aristocracy; and, 



1 ( WHEREAS, Believing that if these baneful influ- 

 ences and tendencies are not checked and overcome they 

 will subvert the government, destroy its form and spirit, 

 and in the end utterly impoverish and enslave the people ; 

 and, 



" WHEREAS, Believing further, that the overthrow 

 and certain destruction of the growing and menancing 

 dangers to the institutions of the country and the liberties 

 of the people depends on agitation, education and co- 

 operation, carried on by the means of a thorough 

 organization of the masses, and especially of the agricul- 

 tural classes, established on just and correct principles, 

 non-partisan and non-sectarian in character, with clear 

 and well defined objects and purposes; therefore, we, the 

 Farmers' Alliance and Co-operative Union of America, 

 in National convention assembled, in order to better per- 

 fect our organization and meet the necessities of our class 

 and a public want, adopt and publish the following Decla- 

 ration of Purposes: 



