Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-05-21
Cleveland to the Farmers.

Of Oak Grove Lodge, No. %. Farmers ALI
ance. Steubenville Ohio, short time ago
wrote to ex-President Cleveland, inclosing
copy of the declaration of purposes oil the
alliance, and asking for Mr.. Cleveland'sylews
thereon. Following are the declaration oil
purposes and Mr. Cleveland's reply
Declaration Of Purposes. I'M
pressed that we, the Farmers Alliance,
united by the strong and faithful ties oil
financial and home interests, should set
forth our declaration of intentions, we
therefore resolve:
To strive to secure the establishment OF
right and Justice to ourselves and our pos
terity.
To labor for the education Of the agrl'
cultural classes in the science of economi-
cal government in strickly non-partisan
spirit.
To indorse the motto, 'In things essen
tial, unity in all things, charity"
To secure purity of the elective franchise
and to induce all voters to intelligently ex-
ercise it for the enactment and execution OF
laws which will express the most advanced
public sentiment upon all questions involv-
ing the interests of laborers and farmers.
To develop better state, mentally, NOR
ally socially and financially.
To constantly strive to secure entire har-
mony and goodwill among all mankind, and
brotherly love among ourselves.
To suppress personal, local, sectional ma
tional prejudices; all unhealthful rivalry
and all selfish ambition.
To assuage the suferings of brother and
sister, bury the dead, care for the widows
and educate the orphans to exercise charity
toward offenders; to construe words and
purposes in their most favorable light, grant
ing honesty of purpose and good intentions
to Others and to protect the principles ofthe
alliance unto DEATH
Mr.. Cleveland's reply was:
New YORK, March q, 1S90.-J. 4. Hill,
Corresponding Secretary, &c.-Dear Sir: |
have received your letter accompanied by a
copy of the declaration of principles of the
Farmers Alliance. / see nothing of this
declaration that cannot be fully indorsed by
any man who loves his country, who believes
that the object of our government should be
the freedom, prosperity and happiness of all
our people, and who believes that justice and
fairness to all are necessary conditions to its
useful administration.
1t has always seemed to me that the farm
ers of the country were especially interested
in an equitable adjustment of our taritfsy
TEN. The indifference they have shown to
that question, and the case with which they
have been led away from sober considera-
ton of their needs and their rights as related
to this subject, have excited my surprise.
Struggle as they may, our farmers must con-
tinue to be purchasers and consumers OF
numberless things embraced in cost by tariff
regulations. Surely they have the right to
say that this cost shall not be increased for
the purpose of collecting unnecessary reye-
nue., or to give undue advantage to domestic
manufacturers The plea that our infantin-
dustries need the protection which thus ian
poverishes the farmer and consumer is, in
view of our natural advantages and the skill
and ingenuity of our people, hollow pre-
text.
Struggle as they may, our farmers cannot
escape the conditions which fix the price of
what they produce and sell, according to the
rates which prevail in foreign markets, flood
ed with the competition of countries enjoy
ing freer exchange of trade than we. The
plausible presentation of the blessings of a
home market should not deceive our de-
pressed and impoverished agriculturists
There is no home market for them which
does not take its instructions from the sea-
board, and the seaboard transmits the word
of the foreign markets.
Because my conviction that there should
be modification of our tariff laws arose
principally from an appreciation of the
wants of the vast army of consumers, COM
prising our farmers, our artisans and our
workingmen, and because their condition
has led me to protest against the present i'm
position, am especially glad to see these
sections of my fellow-countrymen arousing
themselves to the importance oftarifre form.
Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.