The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-05-14

selected as the tools of this conspiracy
until it as nnceremoniOusly destroys
them again. Grover Cleveland was one
of these He ascribcd it to his luck.
Others. again. honest and sincere in
what the believe to be their duty,
refusing to be bound by the eau
Gus. are knitted and left OF home.
Labor votes have always been blamed
for this. 1t is possible that labor votes
| were used for it. but the conspirators
bought or cocrccd the votes, or manipu-
lated the returns. to encompass the
downfall Of every man who dared disObey
their bidding. as expressed by their eau
Gus. Whenever any plundcring schemes
for the benefit of: monopoly arc intro
duccd members of both parties will
waste a great deal Of patriotic oratory
and make bitter partisan speeches; but
when it comes to voting. enough from
both sides will vote for them to pass
them with hurrah. The ink of the en-
crossing clerk will hardly be dry before
they have the presidents signature at
tachcd, too. Wher labor bills are intro
duced members from both sides will be
loud in the defense of labor and make
grand labor speeches.: but the bills will
have the life amended ont of them or
BE- killed outright hy some hOcuspocuS,
Just the same. Ih" Congressional Rcc-
ord woald show a state of affairs that
would appall the whole country if it conld
know them. So long as the working
people are content to vote with the old
parties and fight each other on the old
party lines. the putocracy had no fear:
ii did not fear vote it could control.
But when once the working masses get
;,t
loose from this degrading bondage. then
the plutocracy knows that its day and
| hour has come. aud will move heaven
and earth to prevent ii. and unless We
move quickly they will succeed. too.
Already we have wasted too much time:
this step should have been taken year
ago at least For twenty years our order
has tried pledging candidates Of both
parties. with great outlay of money and
sacrifices uf its best friends All the
best friends labor has had have been
politically slaughtered. Labor has been
blamed for it: but in reality it was only
incidrntall lly-certainly uninteutonal- i
the means of their sacrifice. They We're
the plutoeraey'S victims every time.
This plan has proved such humiiating
failure that it is past my comprehension
how any thinking Knight of
Labor can Yet advocate it,
| 1t i> cruel and unjust to labor :
| champions: it is like sending out Il few
unarmrd men to combat a horde of fully
| armed murdcrerS and thieves. This is
til" exact position they have been and
| will Yet be placed in if We continue this
miserable plan. Oh. if organized labor
| all over the country could only see these
| things as We see them here in Washing
| ton. | know it would not so hIindly and
| l>''leS>ly sacrifice any more of its cham
| pionS.
What constitutes state:
| Not high raised battlement or labored mound.
Thick wall or moated gate:
| Not cities proud with spires and turrentS
| crowned:
Not bays and broad armed ports.
| Where laughing at the storm rich navies ride:
Not starred and Spanglsd courts.
| Where low baSe.lcSs watts perfume to pride.
No Men. high minded men.
! With powers As far above duh brlIteS endUed
In forest. brake or den:
| As beast excel cold rocks and brambieS ride.
Men who their duties know.
| But know their rights. and. knowing. dare
maiptain,
Prevent the long-aimed blow.
And crush the tyrant while they rtnd the chain
These constitute a state.
| And sovereign law. that state collected will.
Der thrones and globes elate
| Sits empress. CroWning good, repreSSing i'll.
Il, T. EHd IL tie J0HfH0t ofHe hhiqhts Of Lab0r