The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-07-21
DUBLIN, TEXAS, July 7.

DUBLIN, TEXAS, July Z.
To the Editor of the Journal:
You ask for an expression Of my
views on the action Of the recent In
dustrial Union Conference at Cincin-
natl, and the attitude of the Southern
Alliance toward the new Peoples
Party"
1 will preface what I have to say by
stating that l have been with the Ali
ance almost from its infancy. | am a
charter member of No. 131, therefore
l have had opportunities for the last
nine years of studying closely its prin-
cipleS and have watched its move
m6ntS.
It is an evident fact that the primer
pies and demands Of the Farmers, ALI
ance is JefferSOnian Democracy, pure
and simple. Hence u order has III
the past, and, perhaps, Will in the
future give the Democratic party an
opportunity to purge itself of political
demagOgueS and enemies of Our order
and people.
But it is an evident fact that 80 long
as the party is headed with such dema-
gOgues as Roger Q. Mills, of Texas, and
Oates, of Alabama, and others, who de
light in Singing mud at our order,
there is but little hope of reformation
in the party. And, in view of the fact
that the Cincinnati convention has
adopted the Ocala demands, no loyal
Allianceman, when he understands the
situation, Will look upon this cOnven-
ton with the least degree of distrust.
Now the question Is, will the Demo
cratic party do as much for the people,
or will it allow designing demagOgues
to drive the people from the party?
The MAJ who claims that there IS nO
danger Of third party movement in the
South, does not know what he IS talk
ing about.
The people are fearfulIy in earnest in
their efforts to overthrow plutOcracy,
and free themselves from the encrOach-
ments OF monopoly. They are deter
mined on having relief, and it IS al
evident fact that the indifference mani
tested on the part Of the Democratic
party toward the people and the re-
fusal IN the part Of recognized leaders
of the party to hear the cries Of our
suffering industries, has already ere
ated a profound sympathy III the
minds of the Southern people for the
Independent movement. This sympathy
is growing with great rapidity and the
facts have created a profound stir
among the politicians OF u beloved
southland.
Every time political demagogues
sling mud ut the demands OF our order,
it has a tendency to sOlidify the people
and causes them to look elsewhere for
relief.
Now, If the expressions Of Mills. OF
Texas. and Oates, of Alabama, mean
anything, it means that they have set
on foot a scheme to disrupt OuT order.
Oates SAID in an interview: Too
many Of our folks are trying to make
friends with the Alliance, etc. The
fact is, says he. we have got to fight
the Alliance right out with all our
might or it viii get the best Of US in
the South" Says he. No man can
believe in the S~ub-Treasury and the
land loan scheme and be a Democrat, -
etc.
He had as well gone further and said
that a man cannot be an Alli8nceman
and q Democrat.
Says he. What we must do is to
organize against it.
This is being done in Texas through
the Barney Gibbs scheme"
Now, if these expressions and actions
mean anything, it means that the
Democratic party Ill the South propose
to fight the Farmers Alliance. the
Knights of Labor, the COlOred Farm
ers' Alliance and other organizations
on our demands. Hence, it is no longer
a party fight but one of principles.
The Farmers Alliance of the South
is composed of and represents the peO-
pie. Therefore, it means that the
Democratic party must come back to
the pure J~effersOnian principles OF
suffer defeat.
EVAN JONES, President
Farmers State Alliance of Texas.