The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-08-05
A NEW ERA OF SLAVERY.

w likes 90 n. 4.
Mr.. EDIToR:- For many years |
have been made to wonder why it is
that the laboring classes of America
have so long submitted to being
trampled in the dust, as it were, by
the despoti3 heel of the moneyed lords
and bloated bond holders. Our he
roic ancestors fought for seven long
years in order to free themselves from
despotic oppression and through the
aid of Divine Providence they sue
ceeded. But where are we now :?
Has the patriotic blood of our heroic
sires been absorbed in the veins Of
our monopolistic lords and mobiles
Surely not. Surely there are yet
among the laboring classes, (the bone
and sinew of the world), men through
whose veins still course the geaune
patriotic blood of our ancestors.
Surely the bIissful period is near
when the laboring classes will arise
from their dusty beds of oppression
and burst asunder the massive chains
of monopolistic oppression with which
they have so long been bound, and
each declare, as did James Oats of
old: To my dying day will oppose,
with all the power and faculties God
has given me, all such instruments of
slavery on the one hand and villiany
on the other"
Every one is bound to admit that
10 f hn
course our mechanics and miners do
their full share towards developing
the wealth of our world, We could
not do without them, but what use
have we for the money sharks, mo-
nopolies, bloated bond-holders, etc
The laboring classes create and de-
velop all the wealth of the world and
the monopolis:s gobble it up, being
apparently as unthankful as the hog,
"who never raises his head to see who
it is that is throwing down the acorns
to him.
All the monopolists seem to care
for is to accumulate wealth, which, in
nine cases out of ten, they do by op
pressing the very ones who produce
it. They are using every effort to
make of US serfs and tenants as are
the poor, oppressed and down trodden
inhabitants of Ireland.
Too long have we borne with these
oppressors. Too long have we suffered
them to rule US as with q rod of iron.
Brethren, the time has arrived for US
to throw off these calling chains of
oppression and assert our freedom and
independence. Now is the time to
work together as a united brother
hood of IabOrers for the betterment
of mankind in general and for the
laboring classes in particular. Then
let all who have at heart the true
principles of freedom, justice and
right, at once rally to the standard of
the Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union of America.
And soon Wen all with JOY sublime
The dawning of a brght-r day.
They may call US old messy back,
hayseed fogies if it seemeth good for
them to do so, but all this will not de
ter us from pressing "onward and up
ward until our efforts are crowned
by the enactment of laws giving
equal justice to all and special privi-
Ieges to none"
With ju tice for our battle cry,
What power on earth can us defy
With truth and justice for our helm,
Ere long GU foes we'll oyerWhelm.
We battle not for martial fame,
II cruel warefare we dIsdain.
Our weapons are not sword and spear
But T1u an6 .Jtts ice everywhere.
Though crushed TO earth, we long have lain,
We know our cause will rise again.
We know that justice truth and right
Will pat oppressive foes to flight
Then all ye laborers arise,
For justice strike nd win the prize
Anu then with JOY Wen hail the DAY
We first resolved to walk the way
1ETIpC olA Fa+h Ery5