The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1884-07-03
BROTHERS Of Freedom.

Br0tHcTS Oh fTccstOfii.
Correspondence Of the Democrat
Freeman Springs Lodge No. 3l6.
Number OF members 80, names of of
ficers, j. w. Blackburn, Pres, j +.
Leadford, Vice Pres, ID. Page, Sec.
/ want to say few words to the
Brothers, but perhaps had better
begin with the crops. The outlook
for wheat is very promising, has not
been more so for many years SO say
the farmers from all parts Of the sur
rounding country. Corn also looks
we'll, and farmers arc comparatively
well up with their work. Gardens
look well.
Brothers, the year 1884 IS upon
us, and the last year is gone. with
all its consequences, and rests in the
tablets of memory. This year will
be hard struggle with labor and
capital. Will you now tnrn from
the obligations you have taken upon
yourselves? You have interests in
common with other men, and hence
You have a duty to perform that you
owe to yourself and to all other peo
pie that are in sympathy with you
in your noble undertaking. This is
the year that we need men to fill our
offices, of county, state and national.
| ask you the question, what kind OF
men are you gong to vote for? In
this we cannot be too particular.
We must vote for men who have
principle at stake, who are honest
and upright, and God fearing. II
they will not bear the above qalif-
cations we should not vote for them
We should not vote for men who will
make the rich man richer. This
will have the tendency to make the
poor man poorer. Men that are for
the people, and not for themselves,
men that will say: ! am the man
that will do all / can to reduce the
present high salaries from 20 to 70
per cen.um, and not only the sala-
ries, but to reduce the number of
offices also. l am satisfied by per-
sonal observation that we have many
useless offices in the United States.
We need great reformation right
here. Do not talk Of good times
while we have so many offices that
require to be filed, and with such
high salaries; no wonder we are
heavily burdened with such high
taxes that we have paid from year
TO year, but more particularly in the
last few months. Think on these
things and do not attempt to fold up
your arms in carnaI embraces and
say, l cannot do anything that will
bring relief. You are greatly mis-
taken about that. You owe it to
your neighbors, go to work, trusting
in God whom you serve, and take
your stand firmly, as on a rock that
cannot be moved. This year will be
long remembered as u year of great
struggle between labor and capital.
| am glad to see that congress has
declared that The land grants that
were held by railroad monopolies,
who have obtained the best public
lands by fraud, should be forfeited
and be added to the public domain,
let our voice be heard at the ballot
box next fall, by electing men TO Of
fee that We will be proud to remem-
Der when their toll of life is over
We have taken upon ourselves q
high obligation, to defend each other
IN the right. Let us see to it that
we do it, and not be forgetful of that
VOW. We have men that would
make good officers; let Us vote for
them, no difference what others may
say about it. That is my mind about
that. / see that some are already
crying: "Don't bring politics into
our lodge" want to know, if we
have good and noble men, who would
do all that is IN their power to bring
about better state OF things, so
that they would make better times
for the good Of the whole, what harm
would come of it? We want men
who are advanced in years, who have
sufficient experience of this life, and
who know what will be desirable,
while it is now to many undesirable.
The laborer is not protected in his
rights as a .aborer. The capitalist
becomes rich from his labor. Do
you want to vote for man who does
not scruple TO discount your daily
pitance from ten to twenty five per
cent; or for others who have no
other design than to make merchan'
disc of you? Beware Of these slick
tongued fellows, they mean you no
good, but as the former whipped us
with whips they will whip us with
rods. Respectfully,
JAMES SMITH.
June 20, 1884.