The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-08-27
REPRESENTATION AND LEGIs-
1s LATION.

the legislation is devised and framed
by professional politicians, spectators,
LAWYERS, and through the corruption
brought to bear by concentrated capt.
tai. The great object OF government
is the protection of the citizens IN life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
and yet one finds our legislative coun-
ellis monopolized in devising laws for
the protection of invested capital, the
guaranteeing of profits and the crea-
ton of fictitious bodies corporate
which may dominate the individual
and build up a power to paralize his
energies. Instead of guarding the
rights of the individual citizen, they
seem monopolized by granting especial
powers to combinations and the secur-
ing of unusual benefits. Is it the peo-
pie or the wealth of the nation that is
the more important factor in the body
polite ?"
The great remedy by which we can
get shut of these evils, if properly
entered upon and enforced, is proper
legislation. There is a world of mean
ing in these two words-proper legls-
Iation-for upon and through them
rest and is involved life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness-all that
makes life worth living. But there
can be no pursuit of happiness when
one class possesses the power to OPP
press all others. This state of things
we have got to fight to the bitter end.
Yea. in order to assert and maintain
our inalienable rights as citizens we
should keep up a ceasing ire
pressible conflict. Aye, raise the
black flag in such a cause, neither
asking mol giving quarter, as we press
to the front with anti-monopoly as our
wal cry to re-echo in the ears of our
representatives as one triumphantly
elected and seat them IN State and
National legislative halls.
To effect such a salvation we must
begin instanta; we can't be too previ-
Gus in marshaling our forces; organize
thoroughly, shape III course at the
primaries, and clinch matters when
we meet in convention. We must take
time by the forelook, for our enemies
are ever on the alert, in sleepless
vigilance, to pounce upon us. A most
important matter is to fix upon the
proper men to represent us, and as a
preliminary to such a vital step, we
should fix the standard for our candi-
dates up to the very highest notch on
the scale of honest integrity, fearless
discharge of duty, and unfinching ad-
herence to our interests as the sole cri-
terion of their eligibility to deserve
our suffrages-see that they adhere to
this standard Is representatives, and
when they finch, decapitate them
without mercy. They should be men
that all the gems of Greasy could
not bribe-as incorruptible as a fake
of virgin snow on the way from its
birthplace in the sky to the earth.
We have such men, plenty of them,
and we should bring them into requi-
sition instead of allowing their places
to be filled by useless incompetents
with doubtful characters, as to their
Instability, not to be bought or turned
aside by outside influence. =
Just here I will observe that 1 do
not wish to be understood as advocat.
ing the formation of a new party, OF
third party, for I am aware that our
constitution forbids partyism, and if
it was admitted into the Alliance, dis
ruption would be the inevitable and
speedy result. But the distinction be.
tween partisan politics and the modus
operandi of proper legislation is easily
made, and violates, when one peculiar
situation is considered, no obligation
that would offend the soeamishness OF
any one on this score. OF course
there must be no political partyism
~wrangling amongst ourselves, but
contend that if our necessities de.
mand it we should inaugurate a non.
partisan party that ignores all existing
parties, there is no paradox about the
term, n~on-partisan party, if properly
understood and interpfeted) and
which will act counter to any party
that places obnoxious obstacles in oul
path. One concentration, if need be,
through the incentive Of self.defence,
into a new party, will ignore any ex
lsting party not in accord with our in
t~erests, and we will not violate GU
pledge, and be meddling with politics
at all by a united steadfastness of pur
pose to combat all outside antagonist
for the promotion of our mutual pro
lection and advancement in materia
prosperity. If this be treason, then
I'll stand alone willing to confront al
the obliquy that may be heaped upol
me.
No, there is no sectionalism in thi
movement, no party scheming, but i
Is the uprising of the producers of tn
whole country, demanding of pluto
cratic greed and fraudulently acquires
power that they cease their unjus,