The advocate., 1890-12-17
MESSAGE OF L. l. POLK,
President Of the National Faamers Alliance
and Industrial Union, Delivered at OCala,
Bla., December 2, 1890.

Council 0f the ~ ~ .&LU.!
Congratulating youj and through you, the
great organization you represent, on the
hopeful and encouraging auspices under
which you have this day assembled. bog 30
submit for your earnest confederation such
thoughts and suggestions affecting the pres
0nt and future OF our great order as may
oonduce 30 the successful prosecution OF itA
noble and patriotic purposes.
Profoundly impressed with the magnitude
OF this great revolution for reform, involy.
ing issues mOmentOus and stupendous In
their character, as affecting tho present and
future welfare OF the people; the public
mind ia naturally directed 10 this meeting
with anxious interest II not golicitude, and
you cannot DO unmindRul OF the importance
and responsibility that attaches 10 your 40
tion as Representatives. Coming, as you do,
from states and localities remote from each
other, and differing widely from each other
In their material aud physiological charRc-
teristics and marked by those social and pO-
litiCal differences, which must necessarily
arise under our form OF government, II Is
your gracious privilege, as II shall be your
orOwning honor, 10 prove 20 tho world by
your harmonious action and thoroughly fra
ternal cooperation, that your supreme pur-
pose is 30 meet tho demands OF patriotic
duty in the spirit OF equity and Justice.
The great and universal depression, under
which tho agricultural interests OF these
United States are suffering, is, in view of
our surroundings and conditions, Rn anO-
mRly 10 tho student OF industrial progress.
No country or people In all history have
been so favored and blest with opportunity
and favorable conditions for the successful
and profitable prosecution OF agricultural
industries With soils, climate and seasons
admirably adapted 10 the successful growth
of all the great staple crops demanded by
commerCe-with people Justly noted for
their industry, frugality and progressive en-
terprise, and characterized by an aggres-
siveness In material development which has
no parallel In histOry-with transportation
facilities, inland and upon the seas, equal
30 the productive power OF the country
with development in railroad and manu-
featuring enterprise and In the growth of
Villages, towns and cltieB-mArvelOuB In its
expansion-with the rapid accumulation of
colossal fortunes in the hands OF the few
why, instead of the happy song Of peace,
contentmont and plenty, which should bless
the homes ofthe farmer and laborer OF the
country, should we hear the constant and
universal wall of "hard timesP" To solve
this significant and vital question in the
light OF equity, Justice and truth, Is the un-
dorlying principle, the holy mission and in
spiratlon Of this the greatest industrial rev.
Olution Of the ages.
To restore and maintain the equipOise be-
tween the great industrial interests of the
country which IL absolutely essential TO a
healthful progress and 30 the development
of our civilization, is a task which should
enlist the minds and energies OF all pOtriob-
10 people--a task 40 stupendOus as its ac-
compliahment shall be grand and glorious.
The pathway OF human governments is
strewn with wonderful wrecks OF republics
whose ruin was wrought by and through the
subordination and degradation OF some one
or more OF their essential elements Of CIV
ilization.
In has been truly said that agriculture is
the basis of wealth, and important and in
dspensable as IL tis in this relation, yet it's
higher character and function as the basis
of all life, OF all progress, and OF all higher
civilization, can be measured only by hu-
man Capability and aspiration to reach the
highest perfection of society and govern
ment. Standing as IL does, by far Che most
important Of our interests, aud related as 10
is in such important connection, with every
individual aud every conceivable interest
in our country, itB prosperity means the bet
torment Of all--its decline means the de-
cline of all.
RetrOgression in American agriculture
means national decay and utter Rnd newt
able ruin. Powerful and promising Rs ia
this young giant republic, yet its power and
glory cannot survive tho degradation Of the
American farmer.
Never, perhaps in the history Of che world,
has industrial and economic thought been
more intensely engaged, than for the past
two years in 6his country, in the investiga-
ton OF the causes which have copspired 10
place agriculture in the rear in the race OF
material progress.
This investigation, earnest, sincere an6
searching, has led TO the general, II not
universal conviction, that IL is duo In large
measure and in most part, 90 partial, dis.
eliminating and grossly unjust natiOna
leqislation. Were it due 10 false or imper