San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-12-23
~ ,no rormer,, AIlIancc OF nnys Co.

10 the Farmers Alliance OF Hays Co.
WANT of space this week compels us to
omit a part Of the favor Of our friend who
writes the following. Aud Ms II seems to
have bearing ON tho next county meeting
OF the Alliance, called for kimberley, Jan.
Sd, and as wo do not intend publishing an
other paper till the 9th, We make point to
gyo tho main practical points OF the article
now. ED.
We ourselves in Schoo days aud early man.
hood looked upon the United States M more
nearly representing the Civis Romanus sum
of the ancients (well we shared tho honor
with one other land, than any other nation
in the world, but we must say in all candor
that maturer age, and dozen years OF OBJ
seryation, have caused IN 10 modify that
opinion and those impressions. The ideal
" not yet reached. Let us try now in our
present pursuits 10 avoid similar mistakes.
The existing order of things tends towards
extremes, vast wealth or abject poverty,
whilst for the happiness and well being OF
the nation. middle course is an absolute
necessity, Moreover under system Of OK
tremes, the rich and the powerful, are too
apt to press hardly or at least forget their
poorer brothers, to usurp by their superior
positions those rights aud privileges, to
which all have an equal right. The day
must come, the day will come. even II cap
italist have to be taught. that labor and the
people must be recognized on par with
themselves. II cannot be tho will Of Prov
dence, that the laborer should be doomed
by an eternal law, to toll that others might
enjoy the fruits of his industry. But We
must be patient. Oh! We think ut this
some of our Kyle friends will smile, think
il is too much like Satan reproving sin, for
we arc of all men the most impetuous But
could they see, as we have seen, could they
hear as we have heard tho despairing cry
of numbers, who struggle on in the unequal
conflict. Have they ever looked upon the
stately costle within n stones-throw OF the
delapidated hut. the palatial mansion side
by side with the hovel? Do they compre-
bend the difference between q silver spoon
and wooden hdle?
Look ut Russia and its ensaved millions!
look ut Germany under an almost despotlc
military dictatorship, then you will realise
that
Though impatuous with emotion,
And anguish long suppressed,
The swelling heart heaves moaning like
the ocean,
That caunot be at rest
But how il this desirable end to be OBJ
tanned? How is this peaceful state to be
brought about? Is the thought too Utopian?
We think not. Let the people but combine
and like the Highlanders OF Scotland, cry
shoulder to shoulder, and the battle is half
won. Now, on the subject of establishing
a cooperative store. That Is q move in
the right direction provided it is on n sound
basis. Don't begin it rs bonded invest
ment for capital, i'll which the shareholders
dividends are the paramount interest. We
mean let the capital invested bear u good
interest, make it on sliding scale from 10
to 10 per cent. until the undertaking is an
assured success, and then confirm it at IL
or IS per cent. per annum, and let all sur
plus profit over and above be devoted to
still further reducing the price of goods.
Then those who most need it will be bene-
fitted; the rank and file will come in for
that assistance for which they are crying
out. 1t is fair to suppose that large in
weston in this undertaking would BE- Il large,
at any rate, m extensive, consumer. Would
not the interest on capital and the cheap
ness of supplies he sufficient to invest; does
it need toe still further one of dividend!
Can you hear the appeal of the brother who
stated he had wife and nine children de-
pendent on his labor alone, aud TINT en-
ployment (if we understand arighD not al
ways a certainty. Are you men, with hui
man hearts, and can hear unmoved such an
appeal! MOI don't have one element of
weakness in It's construction. We are all
good men and true now. But can you say
designing men will never enter? Bat you
may answer we have laws and regulations
to govern these things, AID we reply, has
not experience taught that designing and
unprincipled men have ever found some
way of whipping around law, and what they
have done they will do. How many fair
schemes of philanthropy has not specula-
ton wrecked? Dividend! that would be FIN
ever-prcsent tempter to raise the percent
ages, to increase the dividend. Don't! DON'T
it's the thin edge of the wedge. Establish
it on AZ solid and invulnerable foundation
as is the irJu-bound cliffs of tho coast of
Conuaught, which for ages have stood, and
shall whilst the world stands, unmoved and
mistaken amidst the heave and the swell
and the wild wave dash OF the North ana
Western Atlantic. You will have foes and
opposition enough from without, let alone
Il possible traitor within.
Remember, in you, the yeomanry of the
country. is its bone and sinew, its very life
and existence. On you it depends whether
history shall ever write as it has on ancient
Greece:
Cline of the unforgotten brave,
Whose land from plain to mountain cavo
Was Freedom's home, or Glory's grave!
Shrine of the mighty! can it be,
That this is all remains of thee?
leave it to the thoughtful consideration
of the members of the Farmers Alliance,
hoping their Judgment will lead them to
right conclusion and subscribe myself the
faithful friend and ally of the farmers and
laborers. W. GARNETT,
Sect'y Hays Co. F. A.