The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-04-21
WORDS OF WARNING.
F. S. BLAIR.

Brethren, do not listen to those who
try to weaken your faith in our princi-
pies; snears are being set for you at
nearly every corner of the town and
city, and occasionally one will be found
in the country. The lull that has come
over our enemies in regard to the ALI
ance, reminds me of many of the bat
ties of the late war, after the sharp
picket firing, for time lull frequent
Iv occurred for a few moments, and
then came the storm of battle, with
the shrek of the bullet, the bursting of
shells, the groans and cries of the
wounded and dying. The skirmish
line which was advanced last summer
and fall against our reform movement
by the Wall street cOrpOrated power
through a hireling press, has been
withdrawn and only now and then a
few shots can be heard, sometimes
from the north, then the south, then
east and west. A flank movement is
being attempted. Low, despisable tao
tics are being resOrted to. Spies with
smooth oily tongues and money, are
being sent into your commands with
instructions to get your leaders to des-
sert or to spread mutiny in the ranks.
For the next eighteen months every
species of rascality will be used against
our Order, intimidation and threats in
some cases, and bribery in others, to
get prominent members to desert our
cOlors. Brethren, the storm of battle
is coming. l warn you to watch those
who have so suddenly become good Al
lance sympathizers; stand by the de-
mands of our Order. Be ready for ac-
tion, stand shoulder to shoulder as
our Kansas brethren did. Soon all the
hireling troops of bitter partisan
press, will open their batteries Of slime
upon us at a given signal for some old
"sorehead political Outcast," and the
battle will be waged against us with
unrelenting cruelty. The party lash
will again be used to drive the weak
kneed and cOwardly into measures.
Brethren, the greatest political contest
ever waged on this American contl-
nent for civil liberty will be upon us In
1892 The farmers and labOrers will
be arrayed on one side fighting for
their homes and the liberties of them
selves. their wives and children, while
on the other will be found the ''gold
bugs" money sharks" ''sore head
politicians and their hirelings, bat
tIing for our enslavement. 1t de-
pends upon each one of us whether we,
our wives and children will be free to
enjoy the blessings of liberty vOuch-
safed to us by our fOrefathers, or wheth-
er we shall be the slaves to a monopO-
Iistic aristocracy. You must be up
and doing, not only our leaders, but
each one of you, my brethren, you
must act now. There must be no
skulking. Traitors must be driven
from our camps. See that every mem
Der of your Sub Alliance is tried and
true. Let every one be on guard. Do
your duty, be men. Keep the watch
fires burning for eternal vigilance is
the price of liberty" ''Be just and fear
not. Let all the ends thus aimed at be
they Gods and truths" The demands
of our Order promulgated at st. Louis
and Ocala are the issues for which we
must contend Stand by them and
Strike, till the last armed foe expires;
Strike for the green graves OF your slFes
For God and your native land.