The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 14, 1889 Page: 4 of 8
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TEE SOUTHERN MERCURY! DALLAS. TEXAS, 14, 1889.
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The Southern Mercury
(ONE DOLLAR A YEAll IN ADVANCE)
Published by the——
STATE ALLIANCE PRINTING
BOARD.
BEAD THIS CAREFULLY.
Patronise those who advertise with u«.
Advertising ratea furnished on application.
Always mention Tbm Mkhouby when writ
tag to advertisers.
Keep business matter seperato from cor-
respondence intended for publication.
Examine tbe figures on the label on your par
per and see that your time Is correct.
All letter intended for Tun Mercury
whether business or othcrwlao, should be ad-
dressed to Tub southern Msbcuby, Dallas
It will take about three weeks after sub-
scriptions are sent beforo the subscribers
names will appear on tbe regular mating
gallera.
When sending notices of change of address,
es, unless the old us well aa tbe now address
la given, ne cannot pay any attention to suoh
requests.
Make monoy orders, drafts and all remit-
tances payable to the order of Tiib South ""
Mxmurt, and sddross all letters to in*
Boü'JrHEitM Mbrouby Dallas Texas.
Renew your subscription, so you won't miss
any copies, as we can't always furnish back
numbers; the figures on tbe label on your pa
per will tell when your time la out.
Before writing to tbe editor, undoratand
fully what you want to say. then suy it in as
lew words as possible, sign your name uud
then quit.
a rtloles Intended for publication must bo
written only on ono side of the paper, and tlie
real name of the writer slgnod to It. not nec-
essarily l'or publication, but as an evldenoe of
good faith.
Aii obituary notices sent to Tub Bouthkrn
Mbhcchv for publication, unless hccoiii pu-
nted by the cash to pay l'or saine, will not bo
printed. The charges for printing obituary
notlcos uro ono cent per word for eroh word
In exoess of flftv.
When sending subscriptions to Tub Mbroc-
bt ploaae mention tho word urnbwal in corv
neotion with all names sent when the party Is
already a subscriber, By paying strict atten-
tion to this you will confer a favor upon the
business cilice of The Mbhoihiv.
Whon writing foiTim Afiiucunv concerning
chakok of address, or any failure to re-
ceive your papers promptly, or couoeralng
money sent In for subsbriptions, please men-
tion your postoflloe, the date of your former
letters, ana also the date of the printed rccclpt
which we sent .vou, and always address your
Inquiries, complaints, etc., to
SOUTHERN MEUCÜRY,
and your communication will reoelve prompt
attention.
Entered at the post oftlce, Dalla , Texas, as
second-class mall matior.
When writing to the Mercury uonp
any subject whatever always address
your letters to "IVie Southern Mercury,"
Dallas, Texas, and not to any individ-
ual. Make remittances payable to
"The Southern Mercury," By com-
plying with this simple request, your
letters will be insured prompt attention.
Everybody that reads this ought to sub
scribe for The Mercury.
Why not make Cotnmiasiooor Hall attor.
ney general? tie at least has nerve,
The Mercury Is the largest and best
all-around paper In Texus for only a dollar
ayear.
Krkp your eye on the label of your pa-
per and send ua a dollar before your sub-
scription expires.
BHSSB
You can get tf 92.25 book free by «end
lag ua a olub of ten yearly subscribers
aee our "Ad." on another paga.
The commission amendment will be a
paramount issue In Texas polillos for 181)0.
The Mercury will.take a hand and don't
forget It. ^mmmmmgmmmgrmm.mm.
Our readers will confer a lavor on us It
when answorlng advertisements in this
papor they will say, "I saw your'ad' In Tin
Mercury."
Now Is the lime to arrauge for ootton
bagging for noxt year,, Several atates are
forming manufacturing oompaules lor tho
purpose of supplying themselves.
About • month ago the papers were
booming several candidates lor governor,
while now lt'i either llogg or lornlnst
Hogg. Where is Throckmorton, Kxall,
Wheeler, Brown. Glbbs, and so forth?
Toucan do the Alliance oauee a groat
sfvvloe by Increasing the subscription
liat of The Mercury; we offer you ae a free
gift, a $8.85 book for a olub of ten aub.
acribara. See "Ad." la another part of
thla paper.
Since the democratic party waa so vlo-
torloua at the polla during tbe late elec-
tlona, the Sage or Navarro Col. Mills,
again comas to tbe front aa a aponsor for
the democrat! c-tariff-doctrlne, claiming
that the "Urilf did it."
The Mercury lnaerie in this lsaue or
tbe paper an able apeech oi Col. L. L
Polk, delivered at tbe Dedtnoat exposi-
tion held In Atlanta, Georgia, In October,
and request ita readera to give tbe same a
etreful reading.
The late eleotlons in Ohio and Iowa was
a solid victory for the farmers of those
atates. Tbe great questlona of reform
which have been agitating the oountry lor
years are being brought to the polla, and
there expressed through the ballet box.
commander farewell, and turned our face
toward Texaa, which bad been our homo
for many, long, weary yeara before Sump,
ter waa llred oa. It the Post will now
count oa its lingers correctly It can easily
determine "when we came to Texaa."
Oub effort* to Increase tbe circulation ol
Tux Mercury by ottering premiums, are
being responded to far beyond our ex-
pectations. We hope that every true Alli-
ance man inTexaa will at least sena us in
one new subsorlber apiece, that will satis-
fy us. -ass-!
Several prominent citizens have al-
ready been placed In nomination by tho
press aa suitable material for railroad com-
missioners; "Don't count your chickens
before they are hatched," as tho political
incubator la somewhat out or gear at this
time,
We are under lasting obligations to B-
W. McCulloch for curtesies shown the
Kvean Jones party, The Mercury being
ono of tho benetlclarles. The eatables,
drinkables and smokables were all well con-
sidered together with the palace cur fur*
nished the party.
■ j- - .i
The Mercury would like to hear from
the brethren tn the different counties In
regard to their experience with cotton bag*
glng. Those who have used it will please
write us fully, so that we may become
posted upon the actual status ol the merits
of cotton bagging.
The readera ot Tint Mercury will please
excuse the absence of much of our orlglnul
editorial matter for thts issue. Tbe editor
is a filleted with sore eyes, which temper.
arJly disqualifies him lor writing. The
Mercury will provide against such a con-
tingoncy In the future.
If the farmers of tbe state will lncroaso
the circulation of The Mercury to 00,000
by January 1st, 1800, the management will
make it the best weekly paper In the
southwest. Every farmer In the state
should feel an interest In aiding a paper
devoted to their interest.
W. H, Brookeb, of San Antonio, Is be-
ing prominently mentioned by South
Texas as a suitable successor to Attorney
Uenerai Hogg. Hogg and Brooker would
make a line team. They could pull tho
old ship through the mire with as muoli
ease aa any pair In Texas.
Next week we will publish a Hat of
those who havo won our premium hook.
Those whoso names appear in the list uud
have failed to receive tbo book will please
notify us at once. Those winning tbo
aoM> front tin will also write us If their
name is on the list and the pin falls to
reach tbem.
lr the farmers of Texas will lay aside
their work long enough to attend the pri-
maries next year, and then follow them up
to tbe county conventions, aud so on up to
the state convention, it might be possible
that tbe Galveston-Dallus News would have
an opportunity to support the farmers'
choice for governor or give us an illustra-
tion of Independent politics.
Subscribe for The Mercury. It is
he people's paper, owned by tho people,
publlsbod in the interest of the people,
and should bo supported by the people.
Col Henry Grady, the Napoleon of
tho quill, has endeared himself to the Al-
liance people for his kindness to the Texas
delegation at the Georgia Piedmont lixpo-
sltioa. mrn—mmmmmmmmmmmm^
Only a postal card boarlng the name and
address of the secretary of your sub-Alli-
ance is necessary to rocelve a supply of tho
atest Issue of The Mercury for free dls- •
rlbutlon.
tbshsbhhsesbehh—sh
We ollera cash premium of 940 for the
largest list of yearly subscribers prior to
January 1,1800. So lar 23 is tho larg-
est list received. Almost anybody ought
to beat 28. Can't you?
We inadvertantly stepped on the Hous-
ton Post's toes when we Intimated that
Dlok H. Hubbard would not run for an
''elective office." The Post waate to know
whether we oame to Texaa before or after
the Mikado returned. If eur memory
We occasionally send out sample copies
of The Mercury, tlioso who receive them
will do us a great favor if they will kindly
distribute them among their neighbors and
at tbo eame time send us the names of all
who will subscribe. The Mercury Is
only one dollar a year, and you can de-
duct the cost of sending monoy for all who
ask you to send us their subscriptions.
What Is wealth? It is only past labor.
Power over nature crystallzod into tokons
of value called money, and controled in
many Instances by those who have per.
roruiad but little labor themselves. Tbo
wealth of the Vanderbllta, Goulds, Sages,
and others Is but the accumulated labor of
millions, who hsvo received but a part of
their Just reward for their servlcos.
Tiik sherman Courier aska us who com-
pose the political trust in Texas. Wo did
not expect our Grayson county contempo-
rary to know as tho congressman from
Ihut district is serving bis first term aud
has not caught on; but If It will put its
thinking cap on it will not be slow to dis-
cover tho (act that some of the representa,
tlves at Washington from this state havo a
tighter grip on their berth than any trust
baa on any other commodity.
.Heah our premium list and seo if you
can't help us seoure 50,000 subscribers
We are making arrangements to give you,
without any exceptions whatever, the very
best paper published In the South lor a
doilsrayear. The Mercury belongs to
the State Alliance, aud It is greatly to your
interest to support it. Subscribo for it
yourself and get your neighbor to follow
suit. Wherever Tub Mercury circulates
you will ilud the Alllanco cause In a Hour
lslilng condition. To spread the principles
of tho Alliance It Is only necessary to in-
crease The Mercury's circulation .
The Mercury desires to return thanks
to those who have lavored us with stioh
liberal lists of subscribers that we has rc-
colved during the past month. Several
brethren and slstori have already earned
our "Premium Book," which will bo sont
them aa soon as wo can get a supply on
hand. We hope that eaoh aud everyone
will do their best to send ut In subsortp
tlons. Eaoh subscription received helps
us that muoh nearer our aim in contem-
plated lmprovementa in The Mercury.
We mail thts week a numbered card
for competition tn our premium drawing*
to all who have subsorlbed for one yoar or
renewed their iubsorlption for one year up
to Nov. 10th. Be sure to preserve the card
as It may be emitted to one or our prizes.
All who havo subscribed to The Mer-
cury or renewed betweeu Sept. 1st and
Nov. 10th tor one year are entitled to one
of the numberod oards, If you have not re*
eelved yours write us, stating your name,
post-office and date on the label posted ou
your paper, and we wtll send you a du-
plicate.
Bead Our Premium Offer.
Tux Mercury's ofltr for premiums is
being liberally responded to. You should
subscribe for The Mercury and read It,
it will do you good, montaily, morally and
financially.
flvehhe5989ee99bs
At Bayou Borne, a station on the Bouth-
i Pacific railroad, In Louisiana, a maniac
COTTON BAGGING.
A large part of the cotton crop has been
gathered, and The Mercury has been
asked what proportion of It has been wrap,
ped In eotton bagging. Long before tbo
cotton bulls began opening there was scarce-
ly an Alliance in Texas that did not come
squarely out in favor of cotton bagging
aud eternal vengsnce was sworn against
the jute trun. It Is true that tbe price or
juto went do * n; aud it is likewise true
that methods of all kinds, colors, aud sorts
were used to poison the farmers minds
against cotton and in favor of jute. The
jute trust lound ready and willing tools
among one or two Texas newspapers,
and they spent thousands of dollars in
printers ink to luuber their purpose. The
ootton bagging advocates were laboring
under a decided disadvantage; when cotton
bagging was selected as a substitute, not a
yard of It was purchasable; the leading
cotton mills were loth to buy expensive
machinery and manufacturo cotton bag-
ging, yet they did so, and they rightfully
demaudod a cash payment or Its equiva-
lent; however, only as long as the move
was an experiment, orders came In so rap-
idly that the mills were unable to supply
the demand, aud consequently a groat
deal oi tbe juie was used, hut had cotton
bagging boen available, it—the jute-
would haw rotted in the bands of tho trust
beforo the laruiors would have used It,
The failure to get orders for cotton bag-
ging was an opportune time for the jute
bagging people to cut the price of standard
weight jute down to eight per cent, al
which price it is now quoted. The mills
havo had orders booked abeud in Novem
bor, but we are informed that
some farmers aud glnners are canceling
thorn; now we sincerely hope that
there is not a farmer in Texas
who baa cancelled his order for cotton bag-
ging. We cannot believe there is one in
tho Alliance. They are on record as being
teetoally opposed to jute under any and all
circumstances. Keep lirm, brethren; if you
fail to keep faith with the cotton bagging
manufacturers after tbey come to your
relief whon tbe jute trust had you by the
throat, next year juto bagging will be so
high that you can't be able to reach it with
a ten foot pole and the cotton bagging man"
ufactures will not foel much Ilka coming to
your aid again, If you leave them in the
lurch this year. The tare question will be
adjusted satisfactorily and cotton bagging
cau be made next year at from three to
four cents per yard cheaper than it costs
now. Brethren 11 you give the jute people
the least possible chance this year they will
knock you sky high uext year; tbey have
reorganized their forces already this fall,
one of the prime movors in tho Jute trust
in now in Texas. The jute trust don't rest
and tbey sre counting on tbe farmers'
breaking faith with the cotton bagging peo-
ple so as to have tbe latter loose faith 1q
you; besides this, have cut the price to 8
cents. If the oppressed farmers ever ex-
pect to help themselves they must stick to-
gether and have no more to do with their
oppressors or their goods than you would
with a serpent, If you do you will get bit
Just as sure as death.
Upshur County.
Editor Mercury:—As 1 was selected
by Ming's Chapel Alliance to write to you
from this part of tho Alllauce vlueyard, 1
will try and comply with the wish of my
Alllanco brethren.
Wo had a mass meeting at our Alliance
on the '¿(Ith ol October. There wero only a
tew out, but we had a good time. We had
with us Bro. J. H. McGee, our county
president, who gave us an intelligent lee*
ture on the principios of tbe Alliance,
which was well received by the audience,
if all tho mombers of tho order wero ns
staunch ns Bro. McGee we could accom-
plish an ¿thing we undertook to do; for he
Is a whole-souled Alliance man, through
and through.
We asked Bro. llumpb, our state lectur-
er, to bo with us, but he could not come,
so he sent Bro. O. F. Dornblaser of John-
son county, to fill his place. He said
he could not All Bro. Uumph's placo
ss a speaker. It llro. Humph can beat him
be is a good one, (excuse the slang), for
Bro. Dornblaser gave us as good a lecture
as 1 ever listened to. lie portrayed our
condition as farmers in so vivid a light
that the blood of indignation coursed
through eur veins like fire, to think ol our
oppression aud thon to think that our con-
gressmen aud legislators won't do any-
thing to relieve us or our burdens.
Brethren, wo have tbe power in our
hands ir wo will only uso It. It Is in tbo
ballot-box. Don't vote for a man unless
he will give us surety that he will use his
vote and Influence for our relief; and If ho
goes back on us retire him to private life
ever afterwards, and soon wo will have our
legislative halls filled with men of honor,
who will look to the Interest or the masses
aud not to the favored few, which has
been the curse of tho farmers of this great
nation. So look out for your interests in
the futuro, brethren, and educate your
solves to your wauts and needs, and act
accordingly. You cau do this by subscrib-
ing for The Mercury ai)d papers which
aro published in our Interests, and which
discuss these questions that are or so much
lntorest to us as laboring men and women.
We place too muoh confidence in local
politicians, who say, "just stick to tho old
party and wo'll carry you through all
right." Ves, they have carrlod us through
to the end or liberty and freedom and left
us on tho brink or the abyss or slavery and
serfdom, whithor we aro drifting very
fast.
"Look well to thy steed, so gallant and
chase.
Don't givo up until you well win the
raco."
Inform yourselves, brethren, * tor the
struggle is now on us, which will try men's
minds and souls; when every man must be
weighed in the balance and accepted or re-
jected, ns the case may be; and tbe way to
do this ts to subscribe for our papers and
study and Improve ourselves as to the
wants and needs of the laboring class, and
claim and demand our rights at the ballot-
box by an intelligent vote.
I will close by asking every Alliance man
and woman te work for our paper and get
as many subscribers as possible.
Hurrah for the Allianoe and The Mer-
cury! I subsoribe myself an Alllancc
man rorevor. C. B. Willi ford.
Gilmer, Texas.
■ubacrlb* Mow.
You can spare a dollar now better than
at any other time, therefore, send It to
ADDEE8B OP COL. L. L. POLK.
Delivered at the Peidmont Exposition
at Atlanta, Ga., October 24, 1830.
Por this distinguished honor, conferred
through the kiud partiality of the noard
of mauagers of this great exposition, 1 de
sire to express my warm appreciation and
my most grateful acknowledgements, Au
honor doubly dear to my heart, sineo I
come as tbe representative of . state and
people whose regard for Georgia and her
people is as tender, as loyal, as fraternal
and as sincere a« that expressed in the
beautiful and touching language of ltuth
to Naomi. Bound to you by the ordea' of
common suffering, the glories of common
triumph, the tender ties of blood and kin-
ship aud sharing in common the cherished
deeds Hnd traditions of the past, the oppor-
tunities and duties ot the present, tbe In
vlting promise and responsibilities ot tbe
future, North Carolina bulls her queenly
sister—the Empire State of tbe south—with
tbe assurance and pledge of her profound
interest, her unwavering fidelity and her
sincere sympathy lu all tbvt pertains to the
promotion aud development of your mug.
niliceut commonwealth.
yesterday, rrorn my car window I gazed
through the hazy distance or the plctur.
esque beauty and billowed grandeur of a
vast and magnificent mountainous plateau
Across and through it has been drawn au
Imaginary state line. But tbe clouds, the
glad sunshine, the pearly waters bursting
from their rock-bound homes mid its lofty
heights, the Invigorating atmosphere—all
In their missions of mercy, disdain this
prescribed limitation in distributing and
dispensing their blessings, thus typifying
in physical nature that harmonious frater-
nity of spirit, that cordial congeniality of
sentiment, that earnest sympathy and de-
vot/.on which obliterates names, distinc-
tions, divisions and state lines In all mat-
ters common to the people ol our two
states.
We rejoice in your prosperity. In the
marvelous transformation wrought out by
your enterprise, sturdy energy and indom-
itable perseverance, as illustrated in the
growth ol'youj viliages, towns aud cities,
the expansion or your diversified indus-
tries and the superb display of tbe pro-
ducts of your soIIb and skilled labor in
these spacious grounds and Immense build-
ing we find evidences of those high quali-
ties of manhood that shall, under dlviue
favor, lead your state aud the south to
higher development and grander achieve-
ment than has, perhaps, ever blessed a
people in alt history. With your genial
climate, which is almost continental in its
scope, with soils capable of producing
nearly all tho chiei agricultural products
of this county; your immense timber
wealth, your splendid water-powers, your
rich mineral resources, with a territory
capable ol sustaining a population of 12,-
000,000—equal to the entire population of
the empire oi Brazil—with all the Inherent
elements for developing your state into a
great agricultutal and industrial empire-
wore, In all the earth, has the God ol na-
ture vouchsafed to man a heritage so prince-
ly and grand, a home so charming and de-
lightful?
Among the many seductive considera-
tions presented in the cordial and courte-
ous letter ot Invitation from my gifted
mend, Mr. Grady, was the faot that this is
the Alliance and Farmers' day of your ex-
position. This recognition of the great
agricultural interest is as just and consid-
erate as it is graceful and appropriate, for
in the south it represents 71 per cent of
our population and 38 per cent oi the entire
agricultural population of the United
States. It represents $12,000,000,000 in
lands, 91,700,000,000 In live stock, $500,000,-
010 in Implements and machinery aud $4,.
000,000,000 in the annual products of its
labor. It supplios over 72 per cent or our
domestic exports and pay four-fifths or the
taxes ol the country. The entire human
family Is dependent upon it for raiment
and daily food. The great propelling power
which freights and drives our ponderous
trains to and fro over ouc 100,000 miles of
railway, which sends our ships of com-
merce to the ports of the world, whioh
keeps In motion the vast machinery of all
our industries, is the muscle of tbe strong
and brawny arm of tho American farmer.
We rejoice at the wonderful and marvel-
ous In the arts and sclenoes, in transporta-
tion facilities, in mining and manufactur-
ing In the growths of towns and cities, as
dcvnlsped within the past two decades,
aud which was ss graphically described
last weok by your distinguished guost and
speaker, Governor Hill of New York.
The growth of the country under aggres-
sive American enterprise has cxcited tho
wonder and admiration of the world.
Steam and electricity, thoso twin giants of
power, have been harnessed to the blazing
chariot of American progress, and have
started and staggered the human mind by
their marvelous achievements. The nations
of the earth now sit down in iamily con-
ference. Steel raits, electricity, the steam-
ship, tho steam-power press and the loco-
motive have revolutionized tho industries
and commerce of tho world.
Twenty-five years ago hero stood the
wrenk of a country town. Tho genius of
ruin and desolation waved his black scep-
ter in fleudish triumph over those hills und
plains, while they trembled and quivered
under tbo giant tramp of the war gods and
the reverberations of thundering cannon.
To day we behold with pride your beauti-
ful and flourishing city. The grand rum-
bling of your tfains, tbe inspiring scream
of whistles, the ringing clatter of hammer
and trowel, the musical hum of looms and
spindles, tho swelllug din of workshops
and factories, the tramp ot your busy thou-
sand, the tinkling ring of hammer and an-
vil, all join to swell the grand chorus of
the world's happy song of Industrial pro-
gress. lu all this, I say, the farmers and
patriots of the land most heartily rejoice.
But In this rapid delopment of our civil-
ization forces have been evolved, socially,
industrially, morally and politically which
are dangerous alike to the liberty or the
citizen and to tbo lire ot tho republic, and
the contemplation of which must arouse
serious apprehension, if not alarm, with
every reflecting patriot in the land.
Mighty problems confront ua and must
be met in a spirit or rairness, ot justice and
or equity. We stand in tbe crucial era or
our free institutions, of our republican
form ot government, aud of oar Christian
civilization. "Equal rights to all and spe-
cial privileges to none," is one of tho fun-
damental principles ol our government
observed aad
ful «ondttloii lu our economic systems and
perpetuate and advance our civilization.
In our astounding development and almost
bewildering progress, let us strive against
tbo douiinutlon of one element over anoth.
er. A Just and svte equipoise between tho
great industries or material elements or our
civilization must be ntaimalned.
And on this day It m y bo appropriate
and profitable for the thousands of repre-
sentatives of the great agricultural Inter-
est* here assembled to take a brief but
faithfill survey ol the sll nation. Hetre-
gression In American agriculture means
national decline, national decay, and ulti-
mate vnd inevitable ruin. The glory ot
our civilization cannot survive the uegiect
of our agriculture, the power aud grandeur
of our couutry oaunot survive the degrad-
ation of tbe American farmer.
ltallroads, villages, towns, cities, manu-
facturing enterprises lu all its departments,
mercantile and speculative enteiprises and
corporations flourish aud prosper us never
before in our history, aud yet tiiero aro
hundreds of thousands ol farmers—honest,
economical, industrious farmers who havo
tilled good iauds, have worked hard and
lived hard, and are lu worse condition
financially to-day Iban they were twenty-
five years ago. In 1800 the laruiere num-
bered one-half our population aud owned
one-half the wealth ol' the country. In
1880, though still about one-bait our popu-
lation, they owned ouly about one-fourth
tbe the wealth of the couutry. From 1850
to 1800 they had increased the value of
their turms 101 per cent. From 1 70 to
1880 the increase .was only 0 per cent, and
yet our agricultural population had In-
creased over 20 per cent, while the aggre-
gate wealth of tbo country increased 170
per cent. In your own state ol Georgia,
while your population increased 00 per
cent irom 1800 to 1880, your land decroased
in value 38 percent.
Aud now as to crops. In 1800 the wheat,
corn, rye, barley, buckwheat, hay, oats,
potatoes, cotton and tobacco sold tor $2,-
007,402,231. In 1884, eighteen years later,
when tbo cultivated acreage had beeu
nearly doubled, the number of farms and
tarm hands bad doubled and the agricul-
tural implements aud machinery had been
vastly Improved, the same crops sold for
$2.0-13,500,481, aud increase of only $30,000,-
000, or less than 2 per ceut more thau they
were sold for In 1800.
But wo are told that this is duo to over-
production. There can bo no over-produc-
tion so long as the cry for bread shall be
heard l'rotn a single child In tbe land. It Is
not over-production, but it is a want of a
proper distribution or equitable dlsposi-
tion of the products or labor.
Again, we are told that we can buy more
with a dollar than ever before. But we
ask, Where is the dollar? And how much
of the products of our labor will buy that
dollar? And when obtained, will it pay
more interest? Will It pay mora debts.
Will it pay more taxes? A pertinent in-
quiry might be appropriately Introduced
just bore. Why should a United States
bond bearing 4 per cent interest be worth
127 cents on the dollar, while good farms
cannot be mortgaged for more than ouo-
iliird their valun, at 7 to 10 per cent inter-
est?
And how stands agriculture in tho race
or progress with manufacturing? From
1850 to 1800 agriculture led manufacturing
In increased valuo of products 10 per cent.
From 1670 to 1880 manufacturing led agri-
culture In increased valuo of products 27
per cent, a difference of 42 per cent in
favor of the increased growth of manufac-
turing.
With tbeBe significant and alarming facts
before us cun we wonder that our young
men are deserting the farms in favor o1'
other avocations? In this beautiful land
where should be heard the husbandman's
happy song or plenty and contentment, Is
it any wonder that we should hear tho uni-
versal wail of "hard times" among tho
farmers? Our national treasury is over-
flowing with millions and millions of dol-
lars, needlessly wrung from the hard earn-
ings of the people, while the business of
tho country Is clogged and stagnated lor
want of an adequate circulating medium.
With an agricultural population whose en-
ergy, enterprise, Industry and skill is rec-
ognized the world over, with generous
soils adapted to tbe success'ul growth ol
all the leading crops demanded by com-
merce, with the teeming mtllions of the
earth as our customers, with transporta-
tion facilities equal to tho productive pow-
er of tbe country, why should agriculture
languish aud decline?
But again. It Is said that the
strength and gljry of a country Is
in the homes of Its people. Look
at Frauce, that erratic but gallant, brill-
iant, prosperous people When, in 1870(
her proud standards went down in humili-
ation and defeat at Sedan—her second
Waterloo—an electrical thrill of astonish,
ment shocked tbe civilized world. And
when tlio victor imposed an indemnity of
$1,000,000,000 in coin to be paid In cash,
that astonishment gave way to sympatic
for both to bo forgotton in tho applause
which greeted her as she came forth stag-
gering aud bleeding and promptly paid
every dollar of it. Whence her power to
perform this remarkable achievement? It
lay in her myriad bumble but prosperous
homes, the castles or her yeomanry, wbero
was fostered diversified industry and di-
versified intelligence.
In this vitally important matter, what is
tbe tendency lu our own country? Let
ofUcial statistics furnish the auswer. From
1870 to 1880 our farms under 3 acres de.
creased 21 per cent., whllo forms of 1000 to
500 acres increased 200 per cent. Farms of
3 to 10 ucres decreased 25 per cent., while
farms ot 500 to 1,000 aores increased 400 per
cent. Farms oi 10 to 20 acres decreased
over 13 per ceat., while farms of 1,000 or
more acres Increased 770 per cant I Al-
though our population had mcraased 33
per cant., there were In 1880 145,153 less
farmn under 50 aerea than in 1870. What
do those startling figures suggest?
John Locke said: "Whoever owns tbe
land owns the people." The figures quoted
are but another powerful witness to ptove
thst through tbe rapid congestion ot
wealth our population is being resolved
into two classes—the extremely rich and
the extremely poor—classes which, in all
ages, have been been the weakest defend-
ers of civil liberty and human freedom.
The middle class, that mighty bulwark of
liberty, the great conservator of tbe high-
eet civilisations of the agee, te gradually
but surely weakening aad fadl
Centralised capital, allied to
und dangerous evil thac threatens tbe
preservation of our free institution* and
the perpetuity of our form of tree govern*
ment. It annuls the ancient law in trade
of "supply and demand," it overrides indl.
vidual rights, it controls conventions, U
corrupts the ballot-bo^, it subsidizes the
press, It Invades our temples of justice, it
iiitimidateB olUclal authorliy, it fosters
oilicial corruption, It robs tbe many to en-
rich the few, it destroys legitimate compe.
tition, and dbtat.es legislation, state and
natiounl. Mighty forces are being mar*
siiailed which shall test the strength of our
virtue, our patriotism, our appreciation Of
Beif-government, and our love of liberty.
In those closing years of the nineteenth
century Is the struggle again to be renew-
ed for ascendency, between individual
rights a id constitutional government on
tbe ono sida, and centralized capital and
arrogant monopoly ou the other.
When that supreme hour of our trial
fhail couie. tbo rejuvenated, seli-mado
soutli which has -'come up out of great
tribulation," and whose honest hands,
thank Uod, we can proudly claim, arc un<
spotted by the rapine ot greedy, selfish av-
urico, or the spoils and plunder of the
liolplesB—the south, true to her glorious
history and traditions, will he. In tho lan-
guage or Governor Hill, not only "Bolid for
good government, solid for the welfaro of
Us people, solid for integrity in private
and oilicial life, solid in its opposition to a
paternal administratation of public affairs,
solid against congressional extravagance,
solid in Its renunciation of tbe errors of
the past, solid for American ideas, solid in
Its devotion to the new nation, solid in its
aspirations for a higher civilization, aud
solid for all that would make us a prosper'
oils and powerful republic," but it will al.
so bo solid against pools, combines, trusts,
and monopolistic conspiracies for the rob-
bery of the people, solid against any policy
which fosterB or tolerates them, solid
against anarchism, commuuism, socialism,
and nihilism, solid for tbe greatest good to
the greatest number, solid for justice and
equity nmong the people, as advocated by
our patriot fathers, solid for tho rigbtB or
the many as against the arrogant assump-
tions of the few, and solid for the integrity
and dignity of that race which has illumlna
ed the brightest pages of the world's his.
tory with its grand achievements for the
civilization and elevation of humanity.
I have thus but briefly adverted to some
of the causes and conditions which have
brought into being that splendid and pow-
erful organization known as the Farmer*
and Laborers Union of America. Seeking
to restore agriculture to Kb just position
among the other great inustries of the
country aud to reconstruct aud re-estab-
lish ouroconomic systems on tbe great and
eternal principles of equity and justice,
we ask not, but would refuse to accept
any special or class legislation on its be!
half. Spurning the nursing bottle of tbe
government, we ask only for an open field
and an equal chance. We ask not for
charity, but we demand simpli justice.
Disguise it as we may, we are threatened
to-day with the mightiest revolution—
poacefttl and bloodless 1 pray God it may
it may be—that the world has over witness-
ed. "Gontlemeu may cry peace, pcaoe,
but there is no peace." The professional
politician may remonstrate against "tho
farmer in politics," but there are great
oconomlc and legislative reforms demand-
ed, ullke, by justice and the nccassities of
the times, which, in importance and mag-
nitude, rise tar above any or all considera-
tions of a mere partisan character and
which "will not down at his bidding."
Humiliating as it may be to the prido of
the American heart, painful and alarming
as it may be to tho Christian patriot, wo
iiavo reached already In the spring-time of
our national life, the point where we must
decido whether this is really a government
"of the people, by the people, and tor the
people," whether the citizens er the dollar
is sovereign In this country, whether wo
shall have au aristocracy of wealth or an
aristocracy ot manhood und merit, whether
we shall re-enthrone in sceptred power tbe
majesty and sovereignty of the people,
whether we shall restore our old ship of
state to its ancient moorings, or whether it
shall be engulfed in anarchy aud ruin.
Reaching from New Jersey to New
Me íleo, aud lrom tí e Gulf to the Great
LuKes. the mllliots of American lreeinen
who are rallyiug to the siaudard of this
grand orgauizutlon, undivided by sectional
lines, unbiased by sectional prejudice, null-
ed by common dangers, impelled by a com-
mon interest, actuated by a common pur-
pose, knowing but one name, ackuowledg-
,ng but one flag—the Hag of our groat com-
mon country—invoking the benedictions of
Heaven on their patrlotio endeavors, they
enter on their holy pilgrimage, led and
guided by the spirit of justice as a "pillar
of cloud by day aud a pillar of fire by
night," they will restore the rrk of our cov-
enant, fashioned and bequeathed to u's by
our fathers, to its ancient place in the holy
of hollos, in our temple or liberty.
Notice.
To Delegates to tbe National Convention
of Farmers Organizations to be held at
St. Louis Doc. ó, 1880:
As the tho time wilt be too short after
tbe arrangements have been fully complet-
ed, to give notice of reduced fares on rail-
road* and at hot.'ls, etc., to delegates
elect to tbe convention to be held in this
city Dec. 0th next, 1 uow issue the folllw-
ing notice:
Arrangements have been made already
with some roads, and no doubt will be
with all, by which visitors to tbe conven-
tion can make the round trip for one and
one-third fares, This reduction will be
made on the certificate plan; that Is, when
buying tickets of the railroad agent, get
Irom him a certificate that you are coming
to tbe convention. This certificate when
properly stamped wtll enable the bolder to
purchase his return ticket for one-third
fare. It a through ticket to St. Louts la
bought, only one certificato will be neces-
sary; but If different tickets ars bought
over different lines, get a ticket from eaoh
agent selling the tickets.
Notice or reduced rates at hotels end in-
formation in regard to the hall for meeting
will be published later. But to all who do
not see such notice, 1 will say. call at the
office of the Journal of Agriculture, No. 9
North 8:h St., which is the headquarters
of the committee of arrangements, and full
Information will there be furnished.
Phil Chew, Ch'a.
Com. of Arrangements.
it!
V
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The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 14, 1889, newspaper, November 14, 1889; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186113/m1/4/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .