The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-06-16

AS ~ OAADOg u y Al LILY
ual capacity, l neither advocated nor
opposed a third party movement. One
OF these letters, l learn, was read be-
fore the conference. OF this l make no
complaint whatever, and would not
have objected if all my responses had
been read there, for I entertain no views
on great public questions affecting the
people that l am ashamed or afraid for
the world to know"
Then, since you cannot speak for
the Alliance, and will not assume to do
so as its President, will you, s a citi-
zen, give your views in brief as to the
conference and its action?"
Yes. l will say that the friends of
reform throughout the country have
no quarrel with the Cincinnati Confer
ence: Its action was a surprise to the
public generally. There was general
apprehension in the public mind that
a body so heterogeneous in its charac-
ter and representing so many phases
of political thought could not be har-
mOniOus OF homogeneous in it's action.
The partisan press especially was pro-
fuse in its dire prediction in this direc-
ton; but the result was a disappoint-
ment and, as I said, a surprise to the
public, for never in a deliberative body
of it's magnitude in this country did
more thorough harmony and accord
prevail"
"What in your Judgment are some
Of the most prominent considerations
that will commend the conference to
the friends of reform?"
"First, the frank, manly and une-
quivocal expression of it's principles
and purposes. There is no lodging or
evasion in it's platform. There is no
political twaddle, sentimentalism or
sectionalism. 1t is pointed, clear and
unmistakable. It does not mean one
thing for the South and another for
the North. It deals only with great,
vital issues-issues evolved by sys-
tematic injustice and Oppression-nOt
such as are manufactured by expert
politicians for the temporary purposes
of a political campaign, but issues
which involve equality of rights, and
those great principles of justice OF
which our government is founded.
These issues thus formulated and pro-
mulgated are near and dear to the
hearts of the great masses of the
American people, and they will regard
with fraternal feeling any man, or
men, who stands by these questions as
their friends and allies"
"Do you think this movement M
braces the essential element of perma-
nency?
"Unquestionably it does. It is based
on a deep-seated conviction in the pub
lie mind of the absolute necessity for
great and important reforms, especially
as affecting our Industrial and economic
development, and which are impera-
lively demanded by our advancing
civilization. There are strong indica-
tions that a permanent political party
is to be established by the great masses
of the people which, while preserving
the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent will be marked by q policy
sufficiently progressive and aggressive
to meet the constantly charging de-
mands of the country's rapid growth,
and that will strive to restore and pre-
serve those conditions and relations
between the great interests of the
country which are positively essential
to our progress II not to our existence
as a nation"
Ito what extent will the farmers of
the South support this movements"
1.-The farmers of the South, in com
mon with the farmers of the North,
East and West, are common sufferers
from q common evil, tO-Wit: vicious.
partial and discriminating legislation,
which rObs the many to enrich the few.
and which has dwarfed unjustly the
rights of the citizen and magnified
unduly the rights of the dollar. All
thinking men must see that a readjust-
ment of political elements along new
lines is inevitable, and on which will
be arrayed on the mi side the corporate
and money power of the East, and on
the other the people of the great agri-
cultural sections of the Northwest and
South. The thinking men of the South
see and realize this. They have suffered
and lost enough through sectional agita-
ton and division. They feel and believe
that the only hope of the American
farmer is in a cordial, earnest, honest,
determined consolidated effort against
the forces which have conspired against
him. They feel that the hour has come
to strike hands with their brethren In
one grand effort to fraternize and
reunite the people of the North and
South, and thus create a new and
mighty power that will rescue the
country from impending peril. They
believe that a conflict between the
money power and the people is newt
able-that it will be the most gigantic
struggle of all history, and I misiudge
them if they shall falter when the issue
is made up"
"At what time, in your Judgment,
do you think that the forces of which
you speak will be so crystalized as to
force this issue?''
"That depends greatly upon develop
ments in the near future. If the oppO-
sition to the reform movement by the
two old political parties shall be per-
sisted in the issue ma he nppciDitafo6
and the lines drawn at the meeting to
be held in February, 1892"
"WiIl that meeting represent all
sections of the country?"
Eyes, and my opinion is that you
will nrnhahlu coo nuaru Gonnrorrionol