The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-02-16
THE FARMERS DEMANDS.
The N. c. Farmers Associatioa-Dec-
laration of Principles.

The North Carolina Farmers AS
ISOLATION at the recent convention held
in Greensboro adopted the following
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
That we reaftlrm the principles
heretofore declared by this Association,
that the Interests OF the farmer and of
the laborcr are identical, and that we
make cause with all llborers every
where in securing for them and our
selves a just rccomPense for labor and
ali the rights and privileges of Ameri-
can citizens.
2. To give dignity to labor, and TO
honor the hand that holds the pillow, we
demand that fair, just and equitable
equation shall be established by law
between the wages of the laborer and
compensations of offlceholders and
professional men.
3. We cherish theFprinciples that
-oura- government of the people,
and that the ballot box is our best Sc
curity against present or threatening
evils.
4. 1t was one Of the principles Of
the government in its origin that all
citizens, and classes of citizens, should
enjoy equal rights and privileges,
inalienabe and never to be abridged.
In the progress of century this prn-
ciple has been obscured if not obliter-
ated. We believe it should be restored
in all justice.
5. Agriculture, manufacturing and
commerce are the three great interests
which combined IN harmony promote
the best welfare OF the whole commu-
nifty. Each of these has It's proper
Office to perform, and like the mem
bers of the human body, no one of
them can well perform the duty of the
other.
6. Commerce, with its steamships,
its syndicates, its banks and banking
corporations sustained by the govern
lnent of the United States, has tower
ed above every other in:crst and has
laid them all PROSTATE at its feet. I'm
less We are paralyzed by the presence
Of this. giant, We can check its progress,
and unless we intend to be slaves, we
must check it.
7. Manufacturing furnishes mar
kct for farm products, gives employ
ment to the people, furnishes home
products for home consumption, flour
ishes most in proximity to agriculture,
is great promoter of agriculture and
ought to be foStered and sustained.
8. For relief from financial depres-
sion we must rely upon ourselves. But
while we would encourage industry,
economy and individual self-reliance,
and acknowledge all the aid that the
Farmers Club, the Grange and the
Alliance can give, VIC will not overlook
the fact that industrial success must
depend very much on Legislative re-
lief not through separate party or
ganization, but through the two politi-
cal parties already organized. We
shall present to them this declaration
of principles at their nominating con-
vention and on the canvass for votes,
and we will support and advocate our
principles.
10. The practice of delivering
mortgaged crops to our merchants as
they can be gathered to be immediate
ly shipped by them to distant market
in payment for goods or fertilizers Is
ruinous to the farmer and ought to be
stopped.
IL. The internal revenue system
is contrary to the wishes of the people
and aught to be repealed.
II. That we will ask the Legisla-
ture at its next session to enact rigid
usury law and reduce the rate of in
terest on all debts to six per cent.
IS. Our State and county govern
ment should be administered on the
Host economical basis. and our taxes
generally reduced. Patriotism ought
not to derive all its inspiration from
the pocket book and considerations
ether than merccnary ought to have
some influence in moulding opinion
aud controlling conduct.