Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-22
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Farmers Alliance, knights of Labor and
Democracy.

Democracy.
FORT WORTH, TEX, MAY 20, 1885,
Editor GAZETTE: | see in your Issue
OF this morning that you In substance
take the position that the farmers of this
county can and ought to exercise a con-
trolling influence in our county conven-
ton, and that you urge them, and ali
other Democrats, without regard to their
connection with secret societies, TO at.
tend the primary meetings and to send
men to the county convention upon whom
they can depend TO represent their inter
ests and reflect their sentiments. This Is
right. The official returns show thatAthe
total vote Of the Democratic party of
Tarrant county at the last election was
1880 OF this number 1900 were cast
outside of the city of Fort Worth and
2035 were cast within the city limits.
Tnis gives the country Democrats clear
majority OF 900 over the city Democrats.
The Democratic party is the party Of the
people, by the people and for the people.
1t Is cardinal principle of Democracy
that the will of the major shall rule
Therefore, according to ID nocratic prln-
ciples, the country Demo- ,ats have the
power, and il they so desire, they
can exercise controlling influence in
our conventions. |, for one, would be glad
to see them exercising this power 1t
would result ingreater purity IN politics.
IL would secure faithful enforcement of
our laws. II would give US better gov
eminent. The farmers, rs q class, are
prudent and conservative men. AS far as
politics are concerned they have no de-
sire except for honestand faithful officers,
good laws and good government. They
have none but their country's good at
heart. Upon their shoulders TALL the
principal burdens OF the government, and
IT Is but fair, right and just that their
voices should be heard In our conven-
uons, and that their wishes should be re-
spected and their interest fOstered by our
law-making powers.
Much that has been said with reference
to the farmers can also be said of the
knights OF Labor. While there are some
imprudent and hot-headed among then,
aud while they have made mistakes,
yet, as u body, their object and purpose is
to elevate and dignity labor. In times of
excitement Ike these we should not be
deceived or misled. Because injustice
has been done on one hand and excuses
have been committed on the other is no
reason why men-who should be fair and
lmparuai-should lose their senses and
Jake extreme and untcnable positions
elther one way or the other. All honest
men who have the good Of their country
al neart desire that capital should be pro-
tecteui out, ON the otter hand, In our
zeal TO protect property rights, we should
not make The fatal mistake of elevating
capital ABOVE labor. The basis of our
government Is not the support that 1t re-
ceNes from men OF large fortunes; but
tue arms that labor, the minds that think
ana the hearts that feel constitute our
true strength and glory
We should always remember that labor
u nesh ana blood, and that labor Is the
creator and capital the creature. The
creator is greater than the creature
Ihis Is the law Of nature and of nature,s
God. Any attempt to eyerse this law is
sure 10 De followed bg commissions and
disaster. Therefore ,apltal which Is
bloodless and soulless should bv law be
held subordinate to the lust demands m
LABOR, Among tie Knights OF Lahor ara
many good and true men. / for ono am
In favor OF aiding them in all thot ~ fair
ana right. In my Judgment the brst
means In their power Of accomnlIshino
good results for labor Il for them 10 ai'
tend our primary meetings aud as Demo.
crats make known their grievances. their
wants and theirwlshes The Democratic
party Is party OF free thought and free
! speech II contends that all power ,s IN
the people. have sufficient Confidence
ia the justice, Intelligence and yirtne ~
me American people TO believe that thew
VIII 90 ipn jusslce 10 labor wnnlS
therefore urge upon all Democrats who
are farmers and laborers-withoutr regard
10 Their connection with secret soc,e'
ues.,'o attend our primary meetings
ana there let their power be felt. / h.
lieve that u Is mistake for them or snv
ol them 70 draw out OF the Democrats
party, and to attempt to accomplish their
purpose, purposes 6y forming secret political so.
Sieues. The Idea of secret politics il
directly contrary TO the principles Of onr
soEernnent, It's foreign to our country
ana ana cannot live aud flourish on American
s sSn Whatever interests the public