The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31


and persuasive measures, must be re-
sorted to, or else a breach already
made will be widened to that extent
as to defy bridging over. Efforts
have already been made to revive the
old days of partizan prescription,
which if persisted in would be detri-
mental to the Alliance. In my opin-
ion the Alliance is morally bound to
occupy higher ground-soar in alti-
tudes above those of the past and pro-
scribe no man on account of his politi-
cal views according to the rules of de-
corum, by which we should be gov
erned. We cannot conscientiously
descend below the lines of morality to
consumate our ends or carry our
points; it would be depression from
the paths of duty as laid down in our
Constitution, and we would render
ourselves liable to have charges pre-
ferred against us that would rupture
our order and to very great extent
defeat it's aims in the future From
what we see and hear, disaffection is
widespread in political circles. Thou
sands of men throughout the State en-
tertain hostile feelings towards our
State conventions and denounce their
action in unmeasured terms and de-
nominate them as the disturbing ele-
ments of political society They con-
tend their action was calculated to
destroy party prestige and enslave the
masses, ignored the sentiments of the
people and endorsed the action of
those men who usually run political
machinery, and as to whether or not
they act with discression, they pro-
pose to decide that matter for them
selves. 1t is an evident fact that po-
litical bossism is cursing the country
and am glad to know that the masses
who have hitherto been groping their
way through the darkness, are now
opening their eyes and intend to have
voice in shaping up the future, and
will no longer pay homage to political
demagogues. The people of the pres
ent age are more intelligent, more en-
lightened and better informed gen.
orally than they have ever been, and
it is gratifying to know that such
state of things exist, it is true critic
rion by which we may with some de-
gree of accuracy Judge our future
prosperity. They have vivid recollec
tions of the past they are 10th to for
get and have been taught of late that
political corruption or corruption of
whatever nature it may be, or from
what source it may arise must be over
powered and dethroned, and they are
issuing warning decree to that effect,
that the eloquence of silver-tongued
orators in their last throws of political
death will not overthrow. By inter-
change of views in brotherly counsel
they have learned that slavery is dead
and they intend hereafter to stand
higher up in the ranks of civilization
and make their surroundings more
attractive. The idea that we live for
the government is becoming anti
quated, but the modern idea that the
government was erected by and for
the people, and exists for them, will
U0 UIlo pIcVdI OllO LII UuO 1uuu1C. l.
believe it is the sacred and solemn
duty of every man to vote, and to do
SO intelligently, and in order to do
that he must first lay down his preju-
dices, examine party platforms and
records and weigh we'll the issues they
put before him. His God, his family
and all that he gives the first place in
his affections demand that he makes
proper use of his elective franchise,
in order to stay the hand of corrup-
tion, better his condition, prove his
devotion to his posterity, and when
after mature deliberation, he has done
this and decided as to how he shall
cast his ballot, it is to be presumed
that he is unalterably fixed against the
arguments of designing men and will
stand as firm and defiant as the ever
lasting rocks of the seashore, which
roll back into confusion the surging
pillows of the great deep. According
to the way he stands by and supports
his honest convictions, prosperity will
be meted out to him, and those clouds
of gloom and dependency which have
hitherto overshadowed his pathway
and blighted his fondest hopes, will
be seen receding in the distance, max
ing way for the dawn of brighter day