The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-06-25

cuiated to benefit the country 1t large |
as much rs the farmer Ike wants to |
borrow of the government y sam Of |
money sufficient to enable him to
hold bis product out of the reach Of
grasping spectators who have him
at their mercy SO long As they hold
the purse strings over him. TO pro
tect the government against loss he
proposes to pledge valuable hanka-
bic securities. The rates Of interest
fixed in the bills are and , per
cent, but the Alliance viii, accept gov
eminent interest rate.
1t is not denied that the direct be-
nelts of these bills are intended to
inurc to the farmer; that the right to
borrow under provisions is limited to
the producers of certain staple crops,
or the owners of landed property.
But that fact affords no sufficient
reason for opposing the principles of
the bills. The farmer requires help
and asks for it, He is not supposed
to know what other classcs want.
They have been taking care of them
selves so long without consulting
him the presumption is they will
continue to do So These bills set
forth the needs of the farmer. They
emanatc from him and express his
desires in reference to his own affairs.
If others desire help and feel that
they are entitled to it, they should
speak out and for themselves. If
their cause is just they will find 10
more sympathetic hearers than the
farming class. Bat who else needs
help? The manufacturing and com
mercial interests are already nursing
at the public teat.
Mining and banking are equally
wei! provided for. The tranSport;,-
ton agent has the making Of his own
rate, and the first ''t;.keout' i'll col
lcctions The mid,lEemen, such as
have Il legitimate field Of work, are
commission men whose prosperity
must advance with the prosperity Of
those whose products CT trade they
handle Likewise the success of the
professional classes, anl the trades
man and artizan must be cnlnmeas,,-
rate with the success OF those cngag-
ed in the leading industries IN lhicr
section. WAC then needs TO be help
ed rs mulch as the farmer?
Agriculture, manufactures; and
mining. with commerce as the hand
maid of all. form the great funtla-
mental resources of America, around
which all other trades, professions
and callings rcvoIve as SO many eco
monte dependencies. Their influence
as great conscrvatorS Of trade and
| finance varies with the locality In
the East manufactures and COM
mcrce are the pivotal resources upon
| which It's massive enterprises depend,
! In the extreme West. mining, and
| in the South and central western
States. agriculture form the chief
supporting industries. But whatever
| the dominant industry, and however
| localized. these great industries arc
necessarily national, and any blow
aimed It the PROSPERITY Of aay one OF
! them, OF any failure to minister 20
their essential needs viii be fc.,
throughout the great body economic
| Of the nation. and every nerve and
fiber Of It's sens;tiv" organism must
ting,e with the -!!n>:lz
It therefore hrhooycs the people
Of these sections IA join IS one nau
in the effort to see that justice is
done them by restoring agriculture
to It's former prestige among tli2 lead
| inc industries OF the Hat!un.
Tie next point seemingly at ISSUE
in the consideration Of the power:
provided for in the sub treasury
ana land loan ILL is rs 10 the con
siitu';oi.;,i power Of Congress tf
create money anIi loan 1t upon LAM
or leading agricultural products. TIL,
supreme Court having practically
settled the question Chat the govern
naDt can Great" Il currency. an
unable t. appreciate tie sincerity 81
any criticism Of the merits Of Tho
bills based up,:: denial OF that pow
er. Ani certainly [ have not heen ;
very Intelligent student OF govern
mental principles if tie power to cir
culatc is not implied in the power t
create a currency. ASsurciiy Tho
putting into circulation does not IN : III
to give it away or to throw it away
bat after methods most conductive
to tie exercise Of its legitimate func
tons ani in carrying out the object
of its creation The government ca,
either pat it into circulation by til
, payment Of It's debts OF by loaniu~
to the people.
This is matter for Congress to lie
termine. It i, true that a too fire.
exercise of its powers i'll this respoc
would be ruinous to the business IL
t tercstS Of the country. But the mer
possibility Of its abuse would no
: render the power unconstitutlona
{ for the same objection might wit
equal proprjety be urged against tn
: use of any of its powers. ConGrcs
: should he prudent in their excrcis
, but it cannot resign any of its power
/, or avoid responsibility for their ne.
/ lect amy more than for their misuse,
/ Unfortunately for the countr'
+ Congress has delegated too much {
=. its power over the public currency t
: the national banks, and their polic
G has been to Great Il scant currency
G FLYING from the evils OF a too pl
i thoric money supply, they have hee'
l. lessly narrowed to Il boggarly llmi
J. putting the business interests Of til
g country on half ratlons, as it wer
S Congress, and not the banks, mu
# regulate the volume of the currenc
q And it would be wholesome to !
member that it is equally incumbc
4 to maintain proper standard by ii
Is tiating meagcr currency as it is
T. restrict re undant one
Is That it is popular opinion a:no: