The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-12-10

who know what they want and are ready
for business.
Mr.. Humphreys address is a signili-
cant document, inasmuch as 10 Is out
spoken for third party politics aud de-
cares unequiyocally for the Henry
George single-tax idea.
After reviewing the growth Of the or
der. Superintendent Humphrey spoke OF
the deplorable condition in which the
colored people had found themselves.
Unable 10 clothe and feed themselves, a
return TO abiect slavery seemed ineyita-
BILE. Among the causes which retarded
the progress OF the Alliance, he men
lions the opposition Of many people 10
negro education. and the opposition or
newspapers which are usually under the
control of monopoly. He denounced tho
national banking system and tho specu-
lators who sought TO contract the cur
rency. He continued as follows:
IL il doubtful IL there Is in circulation
this year money enough TO pay for the cot
ton crop at four cents pound and the
wheat crop AT thirty cents bushel and but
for the influence OF the Alliance and its ex-
changes there is no probability that cotton
would now sell above four cents pound.
At the request OF thousands OF the best
and most influential colored people OF this
ance, IL becomes my duty 10 call your at
tention 10 the necessity that exists for indie
pendence in political action. During this
year no less than five representative bodies
of cOlored men assembled in Chicago, Wash
ington, Raleigh. Richmond and Philadel-
phia. and declared their disarection and
unaffiliation with the existing political
parties. None OF these great conven-
tions have appeared willing 10 formu-
late platform that they consider
would he satisfactory TO their race. IL re-
mains. therefore, that you should give your
earnest attention To this all -absorbing ques-
ton, and II by a spirit OF mutual compro-
mise you may be able to secure such
pledges from the great labor organizations
now represented i'm this city as will warrant
reciprocal and hearty confederation and
cooperation, doubtless great good will re-
suit TO both the white and the colored
races Those who hope 10 equalize the bur
dens OF taxation, 10 relieve the depression
OF agriculture, and 10 restore the Govern
ment TO the service OF the people, must join
together and stick together, and they, must
have a name as well as a Platform OF prin
ciples distinctly their own. To this name
and platform they must invite their fellow
citizens OF the United States as 10 a refuge
and a fortress.
In the recent elections the Influence OF
the Alliance was felt. and every man real
lied what tremendous power IL j. destined
III tnt near future 10 exert Out IL must DO
remembered that in this case the Alliance
was fettered by party names which it could
not bear and in many states refused TO vote
at all. We hear that in Mississippi 40 per
cent. of the white and 20 per cent OF the
colored people absolutely refused TO vote Or
even to attend the polls. In Texas and
many other states the elections went rather
by default than otherwise. The people
were not satisfied with the standard bear
ers and. rather than be considered Demo-
Gratis or Republicans. they remained at
their homes and refused 20 take part in the
election OF men in whom they could feel no
interest.
Col. Humphrey commits himself with
out reservation TO 4 platform OF social
ism and Henry Georges singlc-taX idea.
He says:
God has given this earth to all the living.
Men have as much right to mOnOpoliZe the
air we breathe and the sunshine that warns
Us as the land that by Gods ordination
feeds our families We take this occasion
distinctly TO affirm that land Is not proper
~, never can be property, holds no allogi-
ance but 10 the man who lives on it. His
Improvements are his, but the land belongs
to the sovereign people. In view OF these
indisputable truths we recommend 10 our
people the principles OF the Single-Tax
party, and that we should remove the bur
dens of taxation from all property. because
the value OF property Is increased by taxa
ton; but, on the contrary. land, III carrying
all the taxes necessary TO support the Gov
eminent. would not be held by SPECTATORS,
as il is now. and would soon become abund-
ant and cheap. There are already millions
of our people. both colored and white, who
favor this sngle-tax plan. and we recon-
mend il To you, as its enactment into law
would place homes within the reach Of all
the people.
The convention was thoroughly in
harmony with the views expressed by
the National Superintendent. The Sec
retary'S report showed that there were
now enrolled in the organization about
100000 rs members, OF whom over
700. 900 are male adults All of the
Southern States are thoroughly organ
lied. and the following are partially or
gained: Delaware, Ohio, Illinois. In
diana. Missouri. and Nebraska. In
round numbers there are in Alabama
100, 600 members, South Carolina 90
600, Mississippi 10000, Texas 10000,
Georgia 81. 1000. Arkansas 20, 900, Louisi-
ana and Virginia $4,000, Tennessee CO.
900. North Carolina 50, 900. and Kentucky
%, The balances are scattered among
the other States.
At the afternoon session a committee
lIOu lllt " lllt diildutts NOilNlSbiilS VI u
delegate fIom Tennessee. Virginia, Ala
bama, and Louisiana, called in TO extend
fraternal greetings. 1t would have been
a staggerer 10 the friends in the color
line 10 have seen the good feeling shown
on both sides. The white delegates were
introduced to the negroes. shook hands
cordially. and suoke To them as brothers.
They were cordially received, and an in
vitation for the colored men 20 send a
delegation TO the meeting OF the whites
was accepted. The visit will be made
Friday.
One prominent man in the Alliance
said: "Had the Lodge bill been passed
twenty years ago it would have been
blessing. It's too late now" He cX-
planned this by saying that the time had
come when white men and black men
would vote together. Mr. Humphrey
was formerly Democrat, but says the
Democratic party had come TO be SO bad
that it had no politics at all.
About weiI-KnOwn People.
BIsMARcK's autobiography will appear