The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1888-06-07
agricultural.
AN ADDRESS

To the members of the Star Lodge
of the Farmers Alliance:
Brothers-As you expect some
thing from me, as your lecturer, /
will give you few thoughts upon
the principles or foundation upon
which we, IS an alliance, are found
ed.
We will notice, briefly, the
first principle, which is Truth"
which has been recognized by all ma
tons as one Of the highest character
istics of good in the establishment Of
all kingdoms, and in the framing of
the constitutions of every civilized
nation, carrying with it the powers
to dissolve all predjudices and ami
mosities to which we are all subject,
thus binding together in the sun
shine of love and unity, all who are
exercised thereby. Hence we learn
in the Book of Truth, which we take
as our guide, that love and unity are
set forth as two great principles by
which every true and civilized nation
has been characterized. Not only so,
but from the same authority we un-
derstand the three principles alluded
to are three of the attributes of Del
ty.
Now, brethren, viewing our record
as farmers and laborers for the past
twenty years, poor and oppressed by
every political organization, Cypress
ed by the great king of corporations
and monopoly, carrying the heavy
burthens laid upon us by them, should
We not as band of brothers, allied
together and established upon the
above principles rejoice and look
with fond anticipation to the near
future when God,as our deliverer and
chief commander, will, through CO.
operative action, of His people, burst
assunder and destroy the kingdom of
corporation and monopoly. And
take the old ship of state framed by
our forefathers which has been sail
ing for the past twenty years under
a garb of whitewash, only to hide
their heinous crimes from the outside
world and put her into the hands of
men with pure hearts and clean
hands, who will steer her over the
bosom of time, decked with gold, rep
resenting the purity of the nation,
safe into the harbor of good govern
ment, where we hope to go, or if
some of us does not live to see the
day, our children may realize the
fruit of the Alliance now in action,
in carrying out the great principles
OF liberty, which God, the giver OF
all good gifts, hath supplied us with.
In view Of this, brothers, let us stand
together, ever remembering our OBJ
legations and endeavoring to carry
out the precepts of the same, in help
ing each other to bear the burthens
and crosses of life, dwelling together
in such unity as to inspire confidence
in our ultimate success in every in
terest in which we are allied.
We feel confident that the God of
Heaven will bless our united efforts,
as we have a consciousness that ours
are righteous desires, and His word
teaches us that the desires of the
righteous shall be granted.
Brothers, we must trust, and it is
my prayer that we will not be alb
sorbed in our financial interest to
such an extent as to lose sight of our
social and intellectual welfare, which
is of more importance and much
more profitable, for we should only
desire the former to promote the lat
ter.
We should have learned long ago
that mans life does not consist in
the abundance of the things which
he possesses.
1t is my earnest prayer that the
brethren of this Alliance will SO act
and live as to secure the blessings and
guidance OF Him who is the giver of
every good and perfect gift-that the
future may be more joyous than the
past. In conclusion let me say, dear
brethren, do right and fear not, for
the land is not far ahead, and our de
liverence is at hand. am fraternal-
ly yours G. G. Mcdowell,
Lecturer Star Lodge No. 316.
For many years ground soapstone