The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-08-28

10 Wnat course can SuCn q tcrrlOle
state of affairs be attributed? 1t is dus
to the apathy or the ignorance of tht
masses. We ulust conclude the latter
and it behooves the order and the State
TO EDUCATE THE MASSES AND TEACT
THEM TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.
The acts Of Congress in aid of agri
culture for the last twenty-five year!
have been few indeed compared with
those of our rich manufacturers, and
the tariff is SO manipulated that they
the few thousand-reap the entire ben
efts., We all know but too we'll the
result of this reign OF selfish greed
The small land owners are being
pushed to the wall, the larger ones are
no longer able to make both end:
meet; farms in the North, South, Eas,
and West, and especially West, that
twenty-five years ago, during the pc.
riod of greatest imitation, that paid a
fair percentage on valuation of Sac
to $40 are now being foreclosed on
mortgages for half that amount, and
the former owners seeking new fields
of employment for livelihood.
1t is sad commentary on human
ity, but nevertheless true, that with an
unequal distribution of wealth there is
unequal distribution of social power.
The influence of the middle class, the
man of moderate means, is no longer
felt in the legislative halls of the cap
itol; he is being swept away. Wealth
is rapidly concentrating and out OF
the consequent corruption but two
classes are forr,ing-the lordly rich
and the beggarly poor. While free to
admit that the iniquitous protective
tariff has brought about the present de-
pressed state of agriculture by strip
ping the poor of three-fourths of their
natural savings and concentrating a
majority of the wealth of the country
in the hands of an infinitessimally
small part of the people, composed ol
manufacturers, trusts, pools and com
bines, a repeal alone of this unjust
measure would not relieve the present
distress. 1t would not lift a single
mortgage. The one thing needful in
the present financial condition of the
people is debt-paying system of fl
nance. In comparison with which al
other questions sink into utter insig
nifcance.
While looking after our nationa
governmental relations, we must no
lose sight Of the education of th'
masses. WITHOUT THIS WE CANNol
PROSPER AND KEEP PACE INTELLECTU
ALLY OR MATERIALLY WITH OTHEl
STATES MORE LIBERAL IN THIS MATTER
The country districts are more depen
dent upon the public school system
than the towns and cities; hence VI
should be especially interested in hav
ing better educational facilities. W.
pay here in North Carolina only fort,
cents for public instruction for eacl
man, woman and child, while in th'
Southern States the figures run up t
eighty nine cents. In other words
we spend for education less than one
half the average of other Southern
States. Now, in view Of the fact TIA.
WITHOUT EDUCATION WE CANNOT PRE-
SERVE OUR CIVIL OR RELIGIOUS LIBER
TIES, OR FEEL OR APPRECIATE TIL
MEANING OF THAT PRECIOUS HERITAGE
FREEDoM-AND REALIZING THAT THERl
IS NO SLAVERY SO CALLING AS TIL
SLAVERY DUE TO IGNORANCE, HEAR
TILY RECOMMEND THIS BODY TO LEM
ITS AID AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO !
REVISION OF THE PRESENT PUBL1
SCHOOL SYSTEM, thereby affording NOR
extended facilities for common educa
ton. :.
I further recommend the APPOINT
ment of a legislative committee who's
duty it shall be to look after the inter
est of the order. Likewise that SOM
adequate provision be made for tn
national per capita tax of S cents; ant
that the State Secretary be made Stat
Crop Statistician; the County Secre
tary, the County Statistician, and tn
sub-Secretary, the sub-Statistician wit
adequate compensation for their ser
vices and finally, in view of the fact
that we were numerically weak at tn
formation and adoption of our consti
tuition and, since the order has won
derfully increased in strength an
members, and the duties devolvin
upon US being infinitely more onerou:
l recommend a revision of the consti
tuition to a special committee, if
need the approval of this body.
l have dwelt longer upon nations
affairs, believing that there, in tn
Capitol at Washington, have originate
the farmers woes and from that sourc
alone can come the remedy. Let L
! continue to insist upon our Nations
! Congress giving US this much needle
relief History teaches that the viii
with which the rich bind the poor ca
he broken only by fire, sword c
bloody revolution. But we have
better method of overturning frau
and corruption in high places. W
have free speech and free ballot, an
when the wisdom of the acts of ii
national meeting, like leaven, begin
work upon the masses Of the peopl
then and not till then shall we have
peaceful and happy solution of all o,
troubles. In conclusion / desire to r
turn to you, to each county and sui
/. ordinate body and each indi,idu;
member my thanks for the univers
kindness, courtesy and honors bestowe
upon me. May wisdom crown yo'
deliberations.
Sick headache is the bane Of many livt
This annoying complaint may be cur
and prevented by the occasional use Of Z