The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-11-24

cents on the dollar, bearing 4 nnr 10y oO
interest, should command a preminnS,
of 26 cents on the dollar, whiIa . noI
secured by a mortgage on the avor noIe
farm at half its value, bearing 3 o6e
! cent. interest, and due at the per
time, could not be sold atitsfacn v @TLIiIe
| He is COMPOUNDED and amazed ~ fSo;;
! that we have paid on our public d IiIt
since 1866, in principal, premiums onS
! interest, almost double it's original e1 U,ru
| and that it would now require moro L.
| the products of his labor to cancel +L vi
remainder than it would, to have no oi
the original debt. AS producer P on9
| consumer, he stands the helpless victiro1
Of an Ubiquitous system of taxation
which, while it enhances the cost of Ill
the products of his labor, forces him ~
! pay an unjust and onerous tribute " "
a favored class.
These gross inequalities and ruinous
determinations have aroused him 70
comprehend the startling truth, that
agriculture, 1.-The art of all arts tbo
science of all sciences and the life of all
life, " the true basis of all wealth and
of substantial progress, is rapidIv
| declining and is threatened with
paralysis and death, and that, too in
a period of the most wonderful do,
velOpment and growth in u cOuntv's
history. Profoundly impressed that6io
generous confidence has been baseIv
betrayed, his interests neglected and
his reasonable appeals for justice 10.
nOred, he has resolved, in a spirit Of
manly determination, guided by patri.
otto motive and exalted purpose, to
rescue this great interest from impend.
ing ruin and restore that equilibrium
between the great industries of the
country which is absolutely essential
to it's well being and prosperity.
He has resolved to present his case
before the supreme tribunal of public
opinion and ask FORTS decision through
the ballOt-DOX. Appealing with conf.
dence to that lofty sense of justice and
and exalted patriotism which, in all
times of peril, have proved to be the
browning glory of American character
his pleadings shall not be in vain. A
reimbursement of these conditions so as
to best subserve a uniform, healthful
and harmonious growth of all the ele-
ments of our civilization, is the sublime
office of christian statesmanship-the
supreme duty of the hour.
liz SALoU41lS CO1NN1C1OL1O ~ ~ VI
ascribed to Incidence or thriftless i'm
providence on the part of our farmers.
we point to their broad and well-tilled
fields and the abundant harvest which
crown their toll, and which, with an
exception of two years, have furnished
annually since 1850, over 70 per cent.
of all I'll domestic exports. Is it due
to overprOduction? The broad world
is our market and its teeming millions
our ready customers, and all over our
own fruitful and God favored land
gaunt hunger, poverty and distress
stalk in uncOncealed and appalling
horror.
These are the conditions and this the
situation which confront us as a people,
and they must be met.
OUR DEMANDS.
Patiently, submissively, and uncom-
plainingly the farmers of the country
toiled and struggled against the az
gressive approach of invading poverty,
and hoped in vain for aid and succOr
at the hands of those to whom they
had cOnfidingly entrusted the guar
dianship of their interests. Addressing
themselves anXiOusly and earnestly to
the causes of the anomalous condition
of affairs and aided by the light of his
tory, they reached the solemn and de-
liberate conviction, that these Oppres,
sive conditions and environments are
due to unjust and discriminating
national legislation. Upon and in &C
cOrdanCe with this conviction, they
formulated their demands at st. Louis
in 1889, and laid them before Congress
These demands were reiterated and
reaffirmed by is at Ocala, Fla, IN
1890, and while that body was yet IN
session. They were discussed by the
people with an interest and earnestnesS
seldom given to any subject in ali our
history. They advocated and IN
dOrsed by our Order with a unanimity
unparalleled in popular agitation.
For the first time in the history Of
the country the tillers of the soil,
through their accredited represents,
tives and by petition, appeared at
the door of our National Capitol and
asked for relief. Under instructions
from your body, a bill was fOrmu'
lated and presented to Congress;
While no measure was ever presented
to Congress with stronger Endorsement
or more earnest unanimity, yet we &C.
cOmpanied it with this declaration;
1--WE submit this bill with due de-
ference to the intelligence, Judgment
and wisdom of your body. We do not
claim that it is the best or the only
measure through which relief may be
brought to oppressed, suffering,
and distressed people, but we submit
it as the best we have been able 10
devise. We would be only too happy
to receive at your hands a wiser ana
better measure. But these suffering
millions must have relief. They ask
for bread and they will not be cOntenI
with a stone. They are not asking
for charity, but they are demanding
justice"
How was this fair, frank, earnest
respectful and reasonable appeal OF IN TGs