The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-27
FARMERS ALLIANCE TALK.
TWO ADDRESSES BY HON. BENJA-
MIN TERRELL.


He Urged the Coantrymen TO stick To-
sether and Fight for Their Rights. Rt
xardiess of Party. Unless the Latter IL
In sympathy.
Hon. BENJAMIN Terrell OF Texas. the ma
tioual lecturer Of the Farmers Alliance
organization, delivered two public lee
lures before the farmers in the han
Of the House Of Delegates yesterday.
The ball was filed with farmers at
the morning lecture. several Of their wives
and daughters were also present, aud added
lone 10 the occasion. Among the proini-
nent Alliance promoters present were;
Senator Fowlkes Of Lynchburg, Colonel
John W. Brockenborough, Colonel W. I.
Knight. Colonel Randolph Harrison, Mr.. NJ.
A. Coebin of Chesterfield, Mr.. W. L: Grant
az Uenrico. Mr.. W. IA. KennOr Of Powba-
20, Mr. Nj. w. Uay Of Chesterfield, Rev.
Martin Johnston OF Powhatan, j. b. Beyer-
iy of Fauquier, Judge Isaac Christian OF
charles CITY county. Among those present
from the city were: Commissioner oil Agii-
culture Thomas Whitehead, Second Auditor
Frank e.. Ruifin. ..
Vice Pres i0cnt BtNtIlN Cdiitt NhN me-
ing 10 order at 1928 o'clock, and In appro-
nr,ate remarks introduced Mr.. Terrell, the
orator OF the occasion.
BEFORE the speaker began Judge Christian
moved that committee OF three De an
pointed 10 invite the Governor 10 atleh''
The Chair appointed Co.oael knight, Colo-
mol Harrison and Mr.. Grant. In a few mn
ntes the committee reported that the Gov
ernor was busily engaged and could not ac-
ocn,,anv Thorn hut would he with them In
a few moments.
The Governor came in soon alter the
sceater began. but remained only few
moments, as he was called back TO his
Office.
Tue OBJECT.
Mr.. Terrell said that 1t is not the Object
of the Farmers Alliance 20 enact any legls-
latlon that is not for the interest OF the
great mass Of people and our industrial en-
terprises. , =.
The immersion that the Farmers Al
lance like Samson. is seeking 10 put their
arms around the pillars of our Govern
ment and destroy ourselves in order 10 eX-
tinguisb our enemies ~ not correct, anu II
in every particular untrue.
Mr. Terrell asserted that every act OF lne
Government since the war was 10 double
the wealth of the wealthy and increase the
tax on the la)oring people. He scOhed at
the idea that the farmers should not act be-
cause it was contrary to any party.
We have been exceedingly iOohsh a.
farmers, but the day has come Wneh we
must cease to be foolish, and we are gong
10 gather together in union with every
GOOD man from Maine 70 California. ana
take steps for our interest and protection.
lie advocated county Alliances. He ex-
plained how the State Alliance is const-
Iuted and composed.
II our National Alliance decides that we
a 49,. tHa fraa aAtft ~
our representatives must vote for that
measure: II not we refuse to support them.
This is the plan of our Alliance.
JOIN THE ALLIANCE.
The speaker urged that each and every
farmer should Join this Alliance, and he
should be patriot. not partisan. lie
should vote for the man who Is friend OF
the farmer. and not one " no Is demag0gue
and an enemy TO us. The Republicans in
the West make a special part OF the farmer,
and we have succeeded for some time, until
the last election, in electing our men.
1--WE are not fighting any party, but we
are fighting the legislation that has been
forced upon us for these many years. we
are not lighting the railroads, for we know
that IL they were honestly operated they
are n great blessing 10 us, but we are tight
ing the corporations by which they are
managed, in order 10 mOnOpOllze ana 10
oyertax us. We demand that the uONern-
ment control the railroads, for II you don
control them they can rob us at their pleas
ure Two hundred million acres of our lands
are owned by foreigners and corporations.
We are going 20 demand that not a
foot Cf our land shall be owned
by foreigners, and only enough by
corporations 20 carry out the object ior
which they are organized. Some may say
this is not in the Democratic platform.
Well, If il isn't, they had better put 1t IN
there II they want the support of our people
and the same way with the Republican
party.
CAUCUS SYSTEM.
Mr.. Terrell bitterly denounced the caucus
system by political parties. said he: eau
Gus killed the free coinage of silver; caucus
made the Mckinley bill and the Lodge bill
passabe."
The speaker then went into the public
debt, and explained how it increased con-
tinuallv, and said he thought 1t was time 10
quit relying on pledges and investigate mat
tiers. sGod bless the Democratic party II II
will give us such measures as we want,
and | will never say God bless any party
again, unless IL does give us what we need
Mr.. Terrell gave an amusing Illustration,
showing that there was no real cause for
sectional feeling.
He urged the farmers TO vote for lawyer,
Democrat, or anybody who would represent
the farmer. He assured them that II is not
the desire of the Alliance TO create new
party, and no party need fear unless il Is
the enemy, and If so we are gong 10 night
them TO the bitter end
You are the guard of honor; the Alliance
is going to rally around the flag OF liberty,
truth, and honesty.
NEWSPAPERS.
The speaker grew eloquent when he re-
ferred TO the South, his native land. lie de-
nounced the newspapers OF the country
which had denounced the Alliance. He
said that they had used every epithet con-
ceIyable in trying TO injure him. Has the
newspapers right 10 lie on man, and call
NJ "a news itemi"
Here he referred TO an article in daily
contemporary, which he pronounced "a
faisehood about Colonel Polk advocating
Ingalls, i'm Kansas. This Is wholly and ut
terly false. Colonel Polk is a gentleman
and has nothing TO do with the elections in
Kansas Colonel Polk is in telegraphic
communication with that paper, and they
could have verified that report. NO, they
knew IL was incorrect, and published II TO
injure this organization
He continued: Brethren, want you 70
take the newspapers, but | want them TO
have more exalted opinions, and stop at
lacking our organization"
In concluding he expressed his gratifica-
ton to see ladies in the audience. He told
his hearers how 10 make the sub-Alllances
interesting and attractive and urged unity
and harmony in these lower bodies. AT 2:2O
O'Clock the speake. concluded, and Judge
Isaac Christian, Of Charles City county, Of
fered resolutions, which were adopted, send
ing greeting to the Farmers Alliances
throughout the country, expressing CONN.,
dence in the Kind and benefcent Providence
which had guided them and predicting that
the organization would be a great power in
the land for the amei0ration Of the cOndl-
ton OF the people.