Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-08-05
The Farmers Movement.

Declaration of principles by the Farmers
Club of Orange, Knox County ILL.,:
Whereas The open, high>handeG, and glar.
ing corruption Of the servants of the people.
in squandering the public bonds upon pet cor
porations, in the Credit Mobliar frauds. and
in the action Of the Congress of tho United
States in and about the passage of the in.
famous act commonly called the salary bill !"
BY which the servants of the people purloined
from the Public Treasury vast sum of money
over aud above the amount for which thew
agreed to serve them: and
1Phereas, The practice Of lobbying through
Congress pet measures has well nigh closed
our ports to any international exchange of
commodities, effected by continuance of the
present high rates of tariff, thus welding a
controlling influence in driving our shipping
from the maritime list Of the world if not
entirely into disrse, having no direct interest
in export OF import trade; but whose sole in
terestisto compel the consumer in our country
to buy of them at prices fixed by law and
Whereas, Such of our produces as does
reach foreign markat. the price thereof is
upon specie basis, while we and the paupers
operative are excluded from mutual benafits
arising under tho right of free exchange.
placing us under tribute ten fold greater than
the tea tax, which precipitatcd the Revou>
tionary War; therefore,
Ecsoieed, it is our duty, made imperative
by every consideration of manhood, relf-re-
spect and self-preservation, to nrise in ottr
might irrespective of former political aliap>
ces, aud hurl from power and position every
man whose honor had been so cheaplv ex-
changed for pelf, as no longer fit to be in,
trusted with tho aha;rs Of free and enlirht-
encd people.
Rcso70ed, That, in and by all efforts TO sell
in the dearest markets and buy in the Cheap
est, to secure for us such articles as are indis.
pensable to our well-being and comfort. we
will stand by and assist each other until final
success crowns our efforts, and wo placed in
society and citizenship. the equal of the proud
est monopolists that tread our soil
Resot0ed, That, while We regard with favor
the universal brotherhood of man, neither dis
lance, c!imenor country can destroy the right
to buy, trade, traffic, or sympathize with the
toiling millions who strive to and show wills
Enguess to eat their bread in the sweat of
their face.
Rcsolccd, That, for the promotion of these
ends and purposes, we pledge ourselves to use
all and every lawful means to induce our
Congressman to reduce the oppressive and OBJ
noxious portion of our present tariff to that
point tina. will give relief to the masses and
furnish most revenue aud also to return to
the principles Of honesty that characterized
our Government when run by farmers of
earlier days.
Rcso1ccd, That we will heartily Cooperate
with all clubs, oranges. and Patrons Of Fl u.s.
bandry in their labors for our final emancipa-
ton.
Rcso'vcd, That our motto is, and is hereby
declared to be, Association, Information, Co.
operation, Remuneration and Equal Taxation.
Adopted by the Club. June 2S, 1873
G.. w. HARLAN, Pres't
N r RyRAN Sec'v