The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-08-07
BARBECUE OF THE FAR.
MERS' UNIONS.

was very largely attended by citizen
from varlons portions of the Parish
There were over five hundred person
present, nearly one-half being ladies
The place selected was in beautifn
grove below Mr.. B. Il. Lewis farm
on the river. Here was erected spa
ciouS stand for the speakers and musi
clans. This WIS decorated with fruits
flowers, cane, corn and other products
while an arch contained the motto
Omitted we stand, divided we fall
and below the motto, equal rights t.
all and special favors to none."-
These, we presume, arc the notices O
the Farmers Union. A band was ir
attendance, and at intervals discoursed
sweet music, that inspired the young
people with desire to keep step, and
several couples engaged in the waltz
on natures green carpet, which was
executed with grace and ease. Seats
were arranged for the ladies under the
large shade trees, and all seemed to
be qnite comfortable during the deliv
cry of the speeches.
Nr. Edwards, belonging to the Far.
mers' Union, opened the ball by Civ.
ing lucid explanation of the objects
and purposes of the Farmers Union
He spoke against trusts, monopolies
etc, urging the farmers to mite to
protect their interests. He was warm.
ly applauded by his hearers when he
closed, after speech of 25 minutes.
Judge Blackman, who had been es-
pecially invited with Major George O.
Watts to be present, was then called
forward to address the audience. For
almost an hoar the Judge spoke of the
condition of the farmers in Rapides;
the great progress and improvements
that had been made in the last few
years, and the evident signs of pros
perity in the Parish, and especially in
this section. He spoke of the great
danger that trusts and monopolies,
combining millions of dollars under
the administration of IL few men, were
to the progress of the great mass of
the agriculturlstd aud dangerous to our
free Republican institutions. The
Congress of the United States were
continually investigating these sub
Gets with view to legislation, and
agitation on the part Of the people was
desirable to encourage the action of
in restricting the banefnl
influence of gigantic trusts and monop.
lilies. The objects Of the Farmers
Union was, so far as he knew of the
order under their constitution, good
me, and properly directed would &C
'omplish great good. AS he under
stood it it was declared to be non par
isan, and so long at it remained non
PARTISAN would they remain united.
Such organizations had existed before.
nut so soon as ambitious men looking
or promotion and self-aggranaizenent
lad attempted to use them for political
purposes, their failure was an &C
fact.
Louisiana in particular was an agrt-
cultural State, and all classes of the
'eople dependent on the success of the
Hers of the soil. Whatever affected
he interest of one affected the interest
# ALL Every citizen in the State,
Without reference to his occupation or
has an eqnal interest with
he planters in combating unjust taxa
ion and the exactions of monopolies.
The Farmers Union did not permit
Professional men and Office holders and
merchants to belong to their organiza-
ion. This they PROFESSIONALLY had
he right to do,a and therefore the
,reater necessity why their organiza-
ion should he non-partisan and the
barter of their institution be strictly
heyed. We have, said the Judge,
onfrouting US in Louisiana greater
vii than the trusts or monopolies that
ow exist, and should the white people
ivide into separate political organiza-
ions, there is great danger of the SUI
remacy of power that would be our
uin. We must not conclude that we
re hedged in with safety, for such was
ot the case. Our only hope for the
nture for good government and the
erpetnation of our civilization was to
eep constantly in view the motto,
United we stand, divided we fall"
very organization that looked to the
etter education of the agricultural
lasses, the dissemination of useful
nowledge, the incubation of frngality
nd economy, the combination to pre-
ent unjust taxation and grinding ey-
c'ious on the part of public carriers,
ne union of agriculturists to obtain
lst and adequate compensation for the
rodncts of their labor, and to estab-
sh markets where they can buy
heap, are all commendahle objects
nd perfectly legitimate and should be
ncouraged. These are questions of
official economy that deserve the
of our wisest men, and
lie discus sion of these subjects by Or
anized intelligence will accomplish
reat good. In conclusion he paid a
ibHte to the ladies, but said that his
'eble efforts in this respect would not
'mpare with the brilliancy of his
lend, Major Watts, whose reputation
as so well known that he did not
nrn To intrndo into liz nlonnn1 aral,