The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-07-11
Ex-Governor ChaVIes Robinson Talks
TO the Farmers of DousIass COun-

Ch0TIe8 EAODlHAOh Talks
70 the Farmers of DousIsss Coun-
u, Kansas.
At the farmers county institute held
at the home of Ex-Governor Charles
Robinson in Douglass county, Satur-
day, that gentleman addressed the
farmers there assembled with their
wives and children in the following
language. He said:
organizations like the institute
have become a necessity in every hui
man industry. Luck, chance, supply
from the affairs of men and combina-
lions have taken their place. To such
an extent is this true that the class or
industry that is incapable of organiZa
ton will be driven to the wall. So far
the farming class have been unable to
act together in business matters, and
consequently it is a prey to all other
classes. Should this condition con-
tinue indefinitely, and there be no or
ganization. combination or cO-opera-
ton, farming is doomed. This cOun-
try has never before seen what is wit
messed to-day. The so-called money
power, combined wealth, has absolute
control both in federal and state gov
ernments, and in all business affairs
as we'll. LabOrers, operatives and
farmers are to be reduced TO bare sub
sistence and if they object to this
treatment strong government
with standing army will be in
Voked. Mr.. Grady of the Atlanta Con-
stitution puts it thus: Let it he
noted that the alliance between those
who would centralize the government
and the consolidated money power is
not only close but essential. The one
is the necessity of the other. Es-
tablish the money power and there is
universal clamOr for strong govern
ment. The weak will demand it for
protection against the people restless
under oppression the patriotic for
protection against the plutocracy that
seourges and robS-the corrupt hoping
to buy of one central body distant from
local influences what they could not
sitting at their hOmes-the oligarchS
will demand it-aS the privileged few
have always demanded it-for the pro-
lection of their privileges and the per-
petuity of their bounty. Thus, hand
in hand, will Walk-aS they have al
WAYS walked-the fedeIalist and the
capitalist, the centralist and the mo-
nOpOlist--the strong government pro
tecting the money power, and the mon
ey power, the political standing army
of the government. Hand in hand
compact and organized, one creating
the necessity, the other meeting it;
consolidating wealth and centraliZiDg
government; stripping the many of
their rights and aggrandiZiDg the few;
distressing the people, but in touch
with the plutOcratS; striking down
local self government and dwarfing
the citiZens-and at last confronting
the people in the market, in the courts,
at the ballot bOx-everywhere-with
the infamous challenge: What are
you going to do about it. p"
This picture is not overdrawn and
the question arises, is there any rem
edy? Is there sufficient intelligence
and independence among the people to
enable them to save themselves before
all effort shall be vain? Organizations
and discussions such as the farmers
institutes may at least postpone the
enslavement of labor in this country
and on that account should be wei
coined and encouraged. lis as true
now as ever that the gods help only
those who help themselves and all de-
pendence upon others is useless. Even
our churches, which should be the ref
uge for the oppressed, have appar-
emily become the tender to the money
power. One plutOcrat or representa-
tive of plutocrats as pewholder or con-
tributOr can Theoretically seal the lips
of any ordinary preacher so that in
stead of crying out against the evils OF
| the times he will be very SOlictous
about the mint, rue, anise and cummin
| of theology or about the observance OF
some day or be very thoughtful about
what other people should ea5 OF
drink. From the standpoint
| of a laboring man or farmer
| our fashionable churches are good
places to advertise millinery and dry
goods. but poor places to find the con.
solutions and favOrs shown to the peO-
pie by the NaZarene of Palestine. Be
fore the war, slaves by going to church
could hear that slaves should be obedi-
| emit to their masters and now the in
| dustrial classes can hear that the pow
ers that be are ordained of God and
they should be content with their let.
But ministrations of churches are
not needed by the farmer in these days
as he practices Christianity from nee
essity. He is never tempted in his
pride to thank God that he is not like
other men when the trusts and combl-
nations compel him to part with his
corn for less than cost, he gives his
wheat also, and that there may be nc
mistake as to his Christianity, he
throws in. his cattle and hogs. Also,
when the manufacturers demand q
bonus of Al per cent more than their
goods cost he smiles complacently and
| by his vote and voice signifies willing.
mes to give even more.O