The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-04-01

THIS is the term derisively applied
to the farmers of the country,
and especially to that large and re-
spectacle body of them known as the
Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union.
De~nunciation, abuse and ridicule
are the weapons to which fools, dema-
gogues and knaves always resort when
they find that neither reason, argu-
ment or Justice will sustain their po-
sitlon. Wanting in argument, and
devoid OF those higher instincts and
manly motives, which at least would
prom t an honest investigation, they
affect a superiority of judgment and
adopt the contemplate method of
meeting great questions by regular
billingsgate.
1t was with this feeling of lordly
superiority and contempt for the pro
tests of the suffering, toiling millions
that the New York Sun of a recent
date styled the farmers OF the country
"Haysaed Socialists"
We would ask this arrogant paper
which by virtue of its accidental
prominence is dignifed by being
elias sed with metropolitan journals,
whence it's lofty and self-exalted great
ness? 1t would doubtless answer 1--WE
are in the great city of New York,
and therefore have the right to char,
acterize all who are not so fortunate
as our sweet will may dictate"
We ask this insolent sheet by whose
labor has your existence been made
possible? Who feeds and clothes the
eighteen hundred thousand population
of your great city. Who created the
wealth on which the bloated bond
holders and mQnopolists Of your city
are waxing stronger aud richer day
by day? Who,is it thas freights the
thousands of trains that go in and OUT
of your city daily? Who is il that
keeps your ships from rotting at your
docks? Whose. labor and sweat and
toll erected your palaces, your princely
stores, your magnificent galleries Of
art and science, and gave 70 you the
lOdSILPSS anu PO" C1 a. y C1UHs bL4dO I !
filed you with such naughty contemp'
for the farmers? Who has made the
great city Of New York and has,
poured into its lap such profusjon O
wealth, that even such a paper as The
Sun is tolerated and sustained? Who
but the farmer-the dispised clay
seed Socialist" - By virture of being
in respectable company, that pape,
presumes to dispose of the sub treasury
bill by a wave of the hand and tn
sneering declaration that it emanatec
only from "Hayseed Socialists"
But the Sun and all others wht
would ignore this honest effort OF
the part Of the farmers to find relic
and to wrest this country from tn
fatal clutch of monopoly, had as vel
understand and recognize the fact tina
this great movement for reform vii
not be arrested by any opposition.
We go into this great struggle will
a full knowledge of its magnitude
We go into it, not blindly, but witt
q solemn conviction that unless tn
country is rescued from the corrup
environments which now oppresse
the wealth producing and laborinl
elements, certain AM inevitable rui.
awaits Us in the near fu ure. We ex
pect the Sun and the monopolist
whose cr1nging slave it is to oppos
us. We know they will leave nothin.
undone to keep upon our limbs tn
shackles they have forged. We ez
pect nothing from them but persisten
and uadylng opposition. We kno,
it will be the mightiest contest tn
world has yer witnessed bet wee
liberty and plutocracy. But believin
thai God and right are on our sid,
we shall go into it with confidence :
% ne result. We note indication