The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-06-26
Mr.. Ben TerrelPs Speech.

Mr.. Ben TerrelPs Speech.
1t must have been disappoint-
ment to Mr.. Terrell that 80 few of the
citizens of the good county OF Maury
took enough interest in him and his
demands to come to hear him speak.
1t certainly was a surprise to some of
the Alliance leaders. They had made
arrangements for the Opera House
and expected it to be full. Some two
weeks ago one of them rem arked to
the editor of the HERALD, "you will
see such a crowd here on the oath as
you never saw before" The crowd
did not materialize. The Opera
House was too large for the crowd,
and the speaking was made in the
Circuit Court room. There were
present not exceeding one hundred
men; of this number not half OF them
were Alliance men, and of that num-
Der the sub-treasurites could by n"
means claim all.
Mr.. Terrell failed to arouse the
least enthusiasm in his audience, but
he was accorded, as he deserved, a
most respectful and attentive hear
ing. The gentleman was little Sc
we're on the press; naturally so, per-
haps, as he has been the target OF
some severe criticism. The HERALD
has never attacked him personally,
and has no disposition to do SO now
We do not think his statement that
the press is against the Alliance, il
fair or true. The Democratic press Is
opposed 20 some Of the demands of
the Alliance; so are many, very
many, OF the Alliance members OPP
posed to these same demands. When
a Democratic paper criticises the
sub-treasury leaders in the Alliance,
Mr.. Terrell calls this an attack upon
the Alliance. He had Just as well
say that the gentlemen In his order,
who differ with him upon this sub
ject-the sub-treasury-are OppOs-
ing the Alliance. His argument
upon that point was decidedly weak.
The fraternal feature Of the ALI
ance, according to his exposition,
shows it to be just what 1t should be,
a band of brothers, interchanging
to assist the other when in any sort
OF need or distress. The farmers net d
such an organization, and thus far we
heartily endorse it.
When farmers meet together ana
discuss the practicahility and feast.
%
present prices or holding it for a bet.
ter market, their time is we'll spent
But when they meet and determine
that because brother A is an Alliance
man they will vote for him fo'
office, and by resolution endorse hi'
candidacy, then they become a secret
political organization and as suchlw'
oppose them.
Mr.. Terrell favOrs the free cOinag'
OF silver. So do we, as a temporary
expedient. He favOrs the imitation
Of the currency, the control OF rail
roads, the equalizing of taxes and th'
reduction of the same: 50 does the
democratic party. He opposes thu
alien and corporate ownership Z"
land; so does democracy. So fal
there seems to be little difference be
tween Mr.. Terrell and any Othe
Democrat.
But these are political questions
that political parties must settle
Mr.. Terrell furnishes us with the il
lustration when we say that the Ali
ance has no more to do, or SHOULD
have no more to do, with the set
Element OF political questions, thar
do the Masons or Odd-FIlOws.
In our opinion the gentleman die
not discuss the sub-treasuTy scheme
ut all. He remarked that he would
proceed to do so, but instead, he pro
Geeded to discuss the imitation OF the
currency. He abandoned the idea o.
building warehouses and storing tho
wheat. He just simply wanted to in
fate the currency at that particular
time of The year, and draw it in again
when the crops had been moved.
Phe idea is nothing short of ridicu'
lRqs. lyon would buy money with
wheat" he says. Who would yO'
buy it from, the Government? First
where would the Government get the
money to sell you? Second, what
would the Government do with thu
wheat? And, Brother Terrell, wheI
you had INFLATED" and the money
was circulated, how would you draw
it in again when the crops were
moved? BY increasing the taxes
we suppose. BY making the people
pay into the Government so the Gov
eminent could sell the money back tC
them again. This is rather a move
way Mr.. Terrell has of stating it, bu
tits nothing new; it is the same ole
Republican doctrine and habit of rob
bling the people of more money thar
is needed for the economical admin
istratiOn of the Government.
Whenever the Government hal
money "to sell for wheat" to ust
Mr.. TerrelPs pretty figure of speech
some tax payer has been robbed, TO
all the Government collects in the
way of taxes, direct or indirect, abOv'
the needs of an economically admin
istered government, is that much rob
berry. When the people are not rob
bed in the way OF excessive taxation
then the Government has no money
t.to SELL" none to loan, none to buy
wheat with.
Not only that, but the whole
scheme is wrong in principle. Th'
Government has no right to cOllec
taxes from one man and loan it t.
another. Mr.. Terrell says If that il
unconstitutional, ought not the con
stitution to be amended. No! The
constitution is sound and right. The
Government has no right to exercise
the paternal right of calling in the
peoples money and portiOning it on
to them again.
Mr.. Terrell asks for better way
than this. The way is plain. lie
the Alliance men of the West jOiI
with the Democrats OF the East anC
South, and initiate the currency by
the free coinage of silver and by the
reduction of the tariff. Reduce the
tariff and leave in the pockets of the
people and in circulation millions o
ILL.,. tbaf ara nOW wrOnUfuilN