The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-23

ever small or disproportloned in value
they may be, thus enabling him from
the necessities Of the working man TO
press him beyond endurance. This Is
tyranny In its worst form.
Not being content with this extraor-
binary advantage thus attained over
their fellow countrymen who have been
struggling to keep the wolf from their
doors, they have added insult to injury
by securing provision in the law,
wholly in their interest), making It q
felony to dispose OF or sell any OF the
property manned In said deed Of trust,
though in many instances the MORTGAGE
could sell off one piece Of property and
cancel the mortgage, and thus save the
balance Of his property. But he must
not do this for fear Of felon's cell In
the penitentiary. The despotic eyes OF
the petty lordlings are upon their vas
sails. They view with distrust every
SILVER OF the corpses which they have
so sadly mutilated.
BY q studied system OF extortion they
have Slapped the very foundation Of the
agricultural industry. and through that
virtually suspended the business and
themselves. All know that the preach
er, the lawyer, the doctor, teacher, car
penter, blacksmith, brickmason, paint
or, joiner, shoemaker and all other arti-
sans must draw their salaries, fees or
wages directly or Indirectly from the in
dustry OF agriculture. Palsy that, you
stifie the rest.
The farmers and working men Of this
county have submitted to injustice in
every form, and endured privations too
numerous to mention. Many of them
ho IN
ompetency-frOm poverty to extreme
want Of even the necessaries Of life. All,
some have had to stare gaunt famine In
the face. Confidence has been de-
stroyed, honor has been assaiJed, we
having been distrusted, and even &C.
cused of dishonesty. This sad condi-
ton comes chiefly from the grinding
system OF extortion which has been
practised upon the needy and unfor-
tunate for the last five years, sustained
by, and enforced to the letter, with no
sparing hand, the mortgages and deeds
or trust held upon the property and
homes of the working men. Under this
system the property Of the people has
been sacrificed to a degree never before
known. and their productive capacity
lessened in proportion; therefore
Resotced, That we, citizens of Lin
coin county, do form ourselves into an
association to be known and designated
as 1.-The Farmers and Workingmen's
Association" for our mutual protec-
ton, and we do hereby pledge our lives,
our property and sacred honor in car.
rying out our principles.
Res0lred, That the officers of this
association shall be president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer, who
shall perform the duties usually incum-
bent upon such officers.
Resolued. That we do hereby declare
that the price placed upon our cotton
shall correspond to the credit price Of
merchants on their goods, wares and
merchandise sold to us on credit.
e., that we demand the same per cent.
mand over cash prices on their COM
modities when sold on time following
them Of course fair percentage for de-
ferred payment, the adjustment Of our
accounts with them and no further; and
the same percentage on the market
value OF all property named in these
deeds Of trust, or usurious contracts for
money loaned.
Resolred, That no person shall be-
come member Of this association who
Is not an actual farmer mot engaged in
merchandise or working man.
Resolued, That we demand of our
representatives in the Legislature, as
the first and principal step for the
emancipation OF the farmers from a
degrading thraldom, the repeal of all
laws legalizing liens on crops to be
raised, or on other property, for mer-
chandise to be advanced, believing, as
we do, that farmers will thereby regain
their Independence. and every other In
terest be materially benefited.
ResolUed, That we call upon the farm
ers and all others friendly to the restor-
alton of legitimate trade and healthy
credit throughout the State to CO. operate
with us in demanding this relief from
the law making power.
ResolUed, Thatin the event merchants
and others refuse to accede to our de-
mand for relief from present grievances
and decline to settle their claims against
us according to principles Of justice
between man and man, we will appeal
to the court for protection against ex-
tortion and usury.
LUTHER BLUE, President.
V. B. WATTS, Secretary.