The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-11-07

of the few, and solid for the integrity
and dignity of that race which has illu-
mined the brightest pages Of the worlds
history with its grand achievements for
the civilization and elevation of human
ity.
1 have thus but briefly adverted to
some of the causes and conditions which
have brought into being that splendid
and powerful organization known as the
Farmers and I.aborers' Union of Ameri.
ca. Seeking to restore agriculture to its
just position among the other great
industries of the country, and to recon.
struct and re establish our economic sys.
TENS on the great and eternal principles,
ofequity and justice, we ask not, but
refuse TO accept any special or class leg
islation on its behalf Spurning the
nursing bottle of tbs Government, we
ask only for an open deld and an equal
chance. We ask not for charity, but we
demand simple justice. Disguise it as
we may, we are threatened to day With
the mightiest revolulion-peaceful and
bloodless, I pray God, it may be-that
the world has ever witnessed. "Gentle.
men may cry peace, peace, but there is
no peace" The professional politician
may demonstrate against "the farmer in
politics." but there are great economic
and legislative reforms demanded. alike,
by justice and the necessities of the
times, which in Importance and magui.
tude, rise far above any or all considera-
tions of q mere partisan character, and
which "will not down at his bidding"
Humiliating as it may be to the pride
of the American heart, painful and
alarming as it may be to the Christian
patriot, we have reached already, in the
spring time of our national life, the point
where we must decide whether this is
really Government "ofthe people, by
the people and for the people," whether
the citizen or the dollar is sovereign in
this country, whether we shall have an
aristocracy of wealth or n aristocracy of
manhood aud merit, whether ne shall
re.euthrone in sceptred power the majesty
and sovereignty Of the people, whether
re shall restore our old ship of State to
its ancient moorings, or whether it shall
be eDgulfed in anarchy and ruin.
Reaching from New Jersey to New
Mexico, and from the Gulfto the Great
Lakes, the millions of American freemen
who are rallying to the standard of this
grand organization, undivided by sec.
tional lines, unbiased by sectional
prejudice, united by common dangers,
impelled by a common interest, actuated
by common purpose, knowing but one
name, acknowledging but one Aag-the
flag of our common country-invoking
the bcnedictions' of Heaven in their
patriotic endeavor, they enter on their
holy pilgrimage, led and guided by the
Spirit of Justice "a pillar Of cloud by day
and pillar of fire by night" they will
restore the ark Of our covenant, fashioned
and bequeathed to US by our fathers, to
its ancient place in the holy Of holies, in
our Temple of Liberty.
Ladies, I had thought my task done,
but it would be uDpardonably incomplete
and I would do violence to every impulse
of my nature did l fail to express to you
from grateful heart my profound
appreciation Of the distinguished honor
done me By your inspiring presence and
your most respectful attention.
Among the celebrities of Grecian
mythology was 0rpheus, who vas crown
ed the "Father ofSopg." The gods we're
enchanted by the melodious strains ofhis
melting minstrelsy-the trees ofthe forest
bowed their stately heads, and the glad
streams hushed their happy song at the
grand swelling sweep Of his tuueful Tyre.
At his death friendly muses. bore him
isathered tread 10 his last resting place,
&C the foot of Mount OLYMPUS, and
summoning nightingale they charged
it with the duty of appearing every
evening to warble it's sweetest lays as a
ceaseless dirge over his lonely grave.
Not more touchingly beautiful is this
legend thar will be to future generations
the story-the proud, the wonderful story
of the heroic devotion Of the women Of
the South.
A sympathy tender and true as that
which NOV ed Israel's maidens to repair
annually to the hills of Gilead to sweep
over the mournful fate of Jeptha's daugh-
ter, mingled with grief deep and
unutterable as that which smote the
hearts of the fathers and mothers Of
their first born, inspired the maidens and
mothers of the South, in the dark hour oi
our calamity, with a heroism and devotion
unparalleled in all the annals of the
world. Their fathers, brothers and sons
charged Notifications crowned with
bristling cannon, which belcbed forth
fiery streams of destruction and death
they stood in the red haze Of battle, face
to face with the foe, and looked him ir
the eye over cleaning gun barrels With
unblanched cheek; they went to the
feast of carnage, and death, presided over
by the war gods, like maidens going to 8
marriage feast, and made record thai
eclipsed Rome's legions in her palmiesi
days.
Grand and resplendently sublime as is
that record, yet the chivalrous and CRATE
full South would present as the model o.
her heroic spirit the name of one which
is not 10 be found on the muster rolls Q.
her immortal soldiery. She would point
not to waving plumes in victorious
| hoftloa Inf rather IN tho o-landid uroct