The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-08-24
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.

THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Farmers to the Fr0nt-They Are the
Last, Best Hope Of the Nation.
written for The Peoples Advocated
| have just received copy Of the
Peoples Aduocate, and must compli-
ment Editor Rapalee on the get-rp and
life.inspiring matter in its columns.
Could such papers enter every farmers
household in the great West how differ
ent the political aspect would be how
soon the old dead beat politicians would
have to take back seats md turn to in-
dustry to obtain q living.
Among the significant movements Of
the day the Farmers Alliance stands
out prominent. The Knights Of Labor
are making themselves felt in the cities
and towns, but the farmers need very
different organization. They are more
isolated, but the aims and objects Of
both ore alike to enable labor, and secure
to the toiler, his honest earnings.
The farmer, FROM his peculiar situa-
tion, can act more independently a. with
4 free ballot in his hand and backed by
the intelligence gained from snch papers
as the Advocate he can vote in
telligently.
But the farmers first object should be
to secure representation to secure this
he must be represented by farmers.
No coalition with political dema.
gogues, should be the rallying cry.
II the farmers with such papers As tho
Advocate cannot realize their position
and vote for lonest men Of their own
class to represent them, why the sooner
they throw up the right Of franchise and
snl . de into ". lis and slaves the better
It is only prolonging their agony to keep
mp the sham Of . representative govern
ment with q lawyer for President, an
other acting as Vice President, all the
Cabin,t lawyers, with 225 ef the
same stripe in the lower House
md ffty-eight in the Senate, aud
not enough Of farmers and mechanics
and workingmen to form corporate
guard
Farmers, have You no manhood !; arc
you descendants Of those noble men Of
l776, who rose in open rebellion be-
cause, forsooth. King George tried to
collect penny per pound tribute on
tea? Those men fought seven long
years, submitted to every privation,
sooner han--what-remain the bonds
men Of q power that net only plundered,
but held them in contempt, and what
better il the lot of the. farmers and toll
ers Of the present day? is it any worse
to be the slaves Of foreign tyrant than
a crew Of pr ,fligate scoundrels who have
not shame enough to conceal their de-
baucheries, but present them to th
national treasury and ask payment for
their whisky bills? yet, strange to say,
the temperance element will support
and vote for the same shameless wretches
over and over again.
I like the tone Of friend Upton's letter.
He hits the nail square on the head
every time. Let the Alliance select
their best men irrespective Of party.
Let the question be are they h0nest, arc
they capable, have they good record in
the past? The old party hacks often
defeat the farmers in o movement like
the present. by the following course !:
When they find that . convention will
not nominate any Of their crew, Why.
they will contrive tohavc some milk-and-
water tool nominated that the men that
vote for him will he ashamed of.
like the suggestion Of being early in the
field. Push the work in the school
houses. Never mind the high-toned
politicians in the towns, you can't ac-
complt>h anything by their assistance ;
you must depend on yourselves. The
farmers hold control Of the situation |;
push your papers, pamphlets and circu-
lars into every household when you get
hold Of good paper or . good article in
paper get your neighbor to read II.
and, above oil, stop taking papers into
your household that you do not approve
Of. They are rs dangerous to the i'm
mature minds Of your children rs old
clothes infected with the smallpox.
Poycott them
There are very few who are posted as
t, the strength of the Alliance move-
ment. It works silently but effectually.
The newspapers ignore its existence but
the Farmers Alliance Of England and
Scotland dictate terms to the British
House of Commons. The Land League
of Ireland (only an offshoot Of the Alii-
ance) is going to revolutionize the land
question. The farmers OF Nebraska are
going to make themselves felt, and arc
the leading force in the Alliance move
ment. God speed them in their efforts.
I met some Of the members Of your State
Alliance at our National Convention last
fall in Chicago. They were men the
State might we'll feel proud Of.
The Changers Of the West made them
selves felt, but it remains for the ALI
ance to overcome and suhdue the ac-
cursed monopolies that are, like the devil
fish, absorbing all our wealth and suck
ing the life blood out Of every Legitimate
industry in tie land.
Now, one more thought before l close.
want the Farmers Alliance to intro.
duce the following plank in their plat.
form Resolved, That we are in favor
OF IN independent homestead to the
value of $1,000, that shall be held
sacred from all claims whatsoever, taxes
included, and will hold all men as crimi-
nails that will give. take, draw up OF
record n mortgage or lien against the
hem, stead or the poor mems exempted
goods. Here is measure that will dc
more 10 elevate and create class oi
independent ycomanry, such rs the world
has never known. As You very truly re-
| mark we are in the first throes Of ono oi
the grandestr yolutiols that every befell
j the human race. As Americans led of
century since in the great struggle fol
hun MI liberty, 50 she must lead of IL
this great uprising Of humanity. rhe
American farmer can secure ell the r.
suits Of peaceful revolution, il he only
has the manhood to act. The eyes o.
the civilized world ere on our nation
waiting for us to lead Otf The Alliance