The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-02-19

nave been effocted to aim at and bid fair
to practically apply Il policy which shall
enable the companies or company flor |
think they are virtually now but one) to
dictate their own terms Of operation and
rates for service, or to subject the peo-
pie of any locality or of the whole collu-
try to BE- alternative of being deprived
of railroad service and thus starve them
into subsection. There is
But ONE EFFECTIVE REMEDY
for this and that is for the government.
which has always admitted its obliga-
ton to furnish ways Of transportation
for the people. by giving to corporations
and individuals privileges by charter to
provide and operate such roads, to take
them into its own hands and furnish
that service for its people which
the corporations have failed to render.
How this should be brought
about. whether by purchase or coniiS
cation, | shall expect to hear discussed
by others before we close this session.
Suffice it to say that it is not consistent
with true patriotism to per nit an insti-
tuition so necessary To the people to be
run and managed in such manner as
to not only inpoyerish them, but to Ell
danger the safety Of the government
itself. \ premedtated connivance of
these companies with foreign invasion.
or domestic Insurrection might easily
place our government at the mercy of
its enemies. And the same disposition
which leads them u rob the people
would lead them to rob or destroy the
government if they conceived it would
be to their advantage.
Land reform is attended with as many
difficulties as any question with which
we have to deal. How to preserve the
rights of property, the obligations of the
government, and the natural rights OF
tillers of the soil. may well puzzle tho
wiseSt philosophers. 1t seems to me the
only clear way for government to rrcog
nize the Godgiven right to the soil o.
those who till it mot have it tilledD an0
that this result should he brought about
in the least injurious ard most equitable
manner possible.
Ballot reform may be resolved into
two questions: Who shall vote? and
How shall they vote?
In regard to the first. | think ii is
time to consider whether the ignorant
and vicious populations, which exists in a
greater or less degree in all our cities,
shall be allowed not only to vote, but to
control the votes of others. while intelli-
gent women ali over our land are de-
privcd of all share in government
which affects their interests to fully as
great Il degree as that Of men. And
why the foreigner, ignorant of our ill.,
stitutions, ignorant Of our language. and
perhaps opposed to all restraints of law
and nr1ar Shnnt la ha hnrruitt1A fn
after residence of but few months or
payment of paltry sum for his papers
which. perhaps. is furnished by some
schemlng politician, and taking the
oath, the obligation of which he does not
recognize; while our own sons, who at IL
years of age are better qualified to excr-
else good choice and sound Judgment in
voting. are required to wait five years
before they are treated as full citizens
or allowed to exercise the rights of free
men. The principle embodied in the
Australian ballot system no doubt would
be great improvement on the present
plan il properly guarded. But III many
eases where it has been adopted the bes,
features have been 50 changed that il
cannot be much Improvement. The OBJ
ject aimed at should be to insure the see
recy of the ballot. TO make some degree
of intelligence in the voter necessary.
To render bribery unsafe and to remove
the voter as far as possible from partisan
prejudice and to facilitate the success OF
independent nominations.
And now. my brothers. how is it with
our own organization? Is there not
something more necessary to secure uni
formity of constitution and plan SO as to
piy, 70 a+tifIanrV and my q
to our society?
Should there not be more systematic
and definite information provided for, 50
that we may know the feelings, plans
and action of all parts of our brother.
hood: II the secret work has advan.
tages of power and permanence. ought
it not be adopted? And if that is
concluded on. should there not be. in
addition to the peculiar work, or system
for each state, general mystic bond by
which brethren from all parts of our
country should be recognized and wei.
coined by each other.
Should there not be some prescribed
active work for each of our officers to
perform? Are we not by our lack OF
system and our indefinite, loose organi-
zation as a national society, LAYING our
selves liable to be absorbed by other
more compact organizations, which al
though having the same general objects
in view would not be So congenial to oul
brotherhood? l ask your earnest con
sideration of these matters. and trust
that you will leave nothing undont
which seems necessary to the efficient
and successful execution of the great
work We are attempting.
Let US not be deceived. 1t is no time
for boys play and mock demonstrations
There was 4 time when the corporations
and munied oligarchics looked upon us
with unrufiled contempt. That condi
ton is changed. Three million voters
cannot be drawn up in line i'll an army
without attracting general attention,
even though their discipline may be i'm
perfect and their lines disconnected
The enemy is already marshalled for the
battle. We must conquer or suffer igno
minious defeat.
Be not deceived. This people must be
redeemed. If we prove unworthy
of the trust we have undertaken, Goo
will raise up other Instruments to ac,
complish His will. for He has purposet
great things for the nation. and He viii
accomplish them. But We, how shall
we answer for our lost opportunities.
How shall we answer on that day wheI
nations and societies are put on trial i:
well as individuals?
Let us acquit ourselves like true men
let us encourage each other: let us close
up the lines; let US lift up the banner o
freedom on high: let us pass the wore
down along the ranks, ''The People
God, and Our Native Land" Let u
shout the battle cry, Omitted We Con
quer," and our foes will be scattered
Light will break forth as the morning
Liberty will triumph. Our country viii
be redeemed.
Farm NlOrt-ape