Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-09
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
STEP TO FREEDoM-Rev. DR.. DIXON
FIN oe,zes THE MOVEMENT.
A Decl.ration OF Independonce-It IL n
Determined Effort TO Protect the
TiIIers of tho Soil.
Nav York Herald.l

There was o very large audience IN the
Young Mems Christian Association,
Twenty-fourth stree, and Fourth avenue,
on Sunday morning to listen to what the
Rev. Thomas Dixon had to say about the
Farmers Alliance-that outgrowth oil
discontinued Republicanism in the West
| which did 80 much in the last election to
turn the tide in favor of the Democrats.
DIR. Dixon was followed with decided
interest by his audience, although the
Republicans present gave no indication
that they agreed with his euloglstic
statements concerning this significant re-
volt The remarks of the preacher were
in the nature OF prelude to the regular
sermon, the subject Of which was What
Is Religion ?" Next Sunday DIR. Dixon
will follow his remarks OF yesterday by
discussing Sectionalism and the Farm
ers' Alliance" Among the significant
things he said yesterday were these j
"The real sensation OF the year 1890
is the advent of the National Farmers
Alliance and Industrial Union. 1t is no
mushroom growth. 1t is here to stay.
1t is the resistless movement OF millions
under the expressions OF centuries. Its
motiye-power is social, economic, rell-
gious, and political. 1t is the beginning
OF a revolution that will shake this CONT
nent and move the world. ,
"The first time they gathered around
the ballot-box was November 4th last.
They polled between two and three mil
lion votes, elected the Governors OF
three States, sent forty mon to Congress,
and scared the life out of hundreds they
did not send.
MORAL MEANING OF THE MOVEMENT.
"What is the moral meaning OF this
great movement?
First. 1t is the protest OF the patient
burden bearers OF the world, who have
toiled through weary years struggling
beneath the wrongs of economic and po-
litical superstitions. In America the
farmers have literally become the beasts
OF burden Of the nation. Their business
has been TO feed over 90, 900, 900 people,
together with the hosts of the Old World,
with the products of the years work, and
then through the winter exc out mise
rable existence wrestling with their mort
cages, cyclones, and foods.
"The question is whether these men
the freest OF the free. the authors OF this
countrys liberty-shall assert their rights
and obtain justice or degenerate into the
condition of tenants and serfs.
THE EDUCATION or THE FARMER.
"Second. This movement means the
education of the masses as masses-of
the farmer as farmer. 1t means the as
sertion OF the manhood OF the yeomen
Of the nation.
"This is real education. The accent
of our education has hitherto been to
ret on. ito rlse.' We have been taught
to climb out of the humble sphere in
which we were born into some so-called
higher sphere.
1.-THE farmers are learning and teach
ing it to their children in this organiza-
ton that the work of the farm is as
sacred, as noble, as honorable as that of
any sphere in life. Women, too, are
admitted, and we'll they may be.
MARRIAGE NOT FAILURE.
"a reporter once asked an old farmer
in the West what he thought about the
question, is marriage a failure 2 He
replied, What, marriage Well, let's
see. There's Lucindy gifts up in the
mornin', kindles the fire, milks six COWS,
starts four children off to school, tends
to three others, skins twenty pans o
milk, feeds the hens, likewise the hogs,
looks after some motherless sheep, gifts
breakfast, washes up the dishes, gifts din
ner, &c. Why, mon, do you think L
could hire anybody to do all that for
what she gifts? Not much Its great
success, Sir
Third. This movement means CO.
operation as against competition. 1t is
in this principle of socialism that the or
der has its strongest foundation. They
are pledged to cooperate with each
other in the production OF economic
goods, and not only SO, but to cooperate
In the distribution of these goods.
Fourth. The organization means
brotherhood. 1t is a fraternal and
benevolent order, with principles OF love
and fraternity wide as the world, uni
versal as the race.
A MANIFESTO OF FREEDOM.
1.-THE fifth and sixth articles in their
st. Louis Declaration of Purposes, a
second declaration Of independence,
read thus
Fifth. To constantly strive to secure
entire harmony and good will to all
mankind und brotherly love among our
selves.
"Sixth. To suppress personal, local,
sectional, and national preiudices, all
unheslthful rivalry, and all selfish ambi-
ton.
can ideal as high as Heaven-an echo
of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. They
pledge themselves to alleviate suffering
and PAIN, to care for the widows, and
educate the orphans of their dead. This
is climbing the heights of Life. This is
pure religion indebted.
"They have gone into politics not be-
cause they are political organization.
They have been forced to go into politics
because their principles were social, eco
nomio, and religious. All social and Geo.
nomic questions have become political
questions, and all political questions are