The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-09-23
LOUISIANA POLITICS.
Cali for Third Party Convention
at Alexandria.
Reasons Why the Alliance Hen Determine
to Put up State Tioket-Not Satisfied
With Dickers-Tke ooala Platform their
I Guiding Star.

With Diokers-The ooala Platform their
Guiding Star.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-The National
Economist in it's edition next Saturday
will print the following circular letter:
70 all Members of the Farmers Union,
Knights of Labor in the State OF Lou
iniana:
'Brethren-You are aware that in De
eember 1859, the National Farmers Al
lance and Industrial Union and the Cen
eral Assembly of the Knights of Labor,
through their respective committees i'll
Joint session at st. Lonis, Mo-, agreed
upon set OF legislative demands, which
each order pledged itself to endeavor to
have enacted into law. These demands
were one year later, reindorsed by the
National Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union ut Ocala, Fla, and have
since become known as the Ocala de-
mands.
Each State Alliance that has met this
year has fully and smphatitally declared
its adhesion to the policy defined by the
national bodies, and has pledged itself to
use all means possible to secure the leg
islation necessary to satisfy these de-
mands
"The Farmers State Union oil Lonisi-
ana expressed its unqualified approval OF
the Ocala platform, Under their organic
law neither the Farmers Union nor the
Knights of Labor can control the p0liti-
cal opinions of their members. Their in
fluence in this direction can be exercised
only through advice and education. As
an organization they can take no def
mite political action. The ruling of Pres
ident Polk OF the National Farmers Alli-
ance and Industrial Uuion is explicit on
this point and it las never been cha,-
, lenged. His words are: "Individual
members of the Alliance must be left free
to act according to Judgment. The ac-
tion of the Alliance cannot bind ndivid-
nal member to support amy partisan mea-
sure OF platform. The knight of Labor
are similarly situated
| ''Under these circumstances no practi-
inside the order. The members must
act as individual citizens. We, therefore
invite the members of the Farmers Union
and of the Knights Of Labor, and all cit
liens who are willing to cooperate in Sc
curing the great reforms that will result
from the adoption OF the 'Oeala demands
to assemble and consult together Is to
| The BEST COURSE OF ACTION.
"We suggest that they select one dele
gate from each parish of the State, and
one from each parish and ward one addi-
tional delegate for every 500 members for
majority thereby of the organizations re-
presented, these delegates to convene in
the city OF Alexandra, on the - day of
rose of formulating a plan of campaign
of devising the best means for advancing
the general interests of the farming and
labpriug classes, by taking su h action
rs will make it impossible for either po-
litical party to swindle them out of their
votes 10y dickers or deals in which much
much is always promised than is ever
fulfilled.
This action is not designed to antago-
nize the recent agreement entered into
between the Farmers State Uuion and Il
committee from the Democratic Anti
Lottery League, but is an entirely dis
tinet and purely individual and indepen-
dent move. The Lafayette agreement
was made on behalf of such members of
the Union and League as can aud care to
be represented in q Democratic conven-
tion held according to Democratic usageS.
"The agreement studiously ignores the
| Ocala demands. 1t leaves ont all Repub-
licans, all Independents who did not vote
the Democratic ticket at the last election,
and, Judging from recent Democratic ex-
amples in other States which the Demo
cratic machine leaders III this State ap-
parently intend to follow. it will exclude
all who refuse to pledge their fealty to
the Democratic party plat form and nom
ine.s in all parish, State and national is
sues, and who decline to ren0unce their
adherence to the alleged heresy of the
''Ocala demands"
j "Under the terms of the agreement all
such voters will be denied representation
i'll the Democratic convention, and the
object of this movement is to unite in
! conference every man in the State, re
gardless Of his political creed, who pre-.
fers principles to party, and who has the
} courage to stand up for the Ocala de,
mands IN spite of the party lash. This
call is made in accordance with the true
principles Of Democracy, recognizing ev.
cry citizen as a sovereign and denying
the right Of any organization, political OF
otherwise, to control or deliver his vote
without his free and full consent. The
existing political conditions in this State
present an opportunity to free ourselves
from machine domination that may never
be offered again. We therefore urge 4
full and representative attendance. Ad
dress all communications to H. l.. Brian
editor Winn Parish COnlrade, Winfield
Louisiana.
"The following are the Ocala demands
l. ta) We demand the abolition of Ma
tional banks.
(b) We demand that the government
shall establish sub-treasuries or deposito
ries in the several States, which shall
loan money direct to the people at a low
rate OF interest, not to exceed 2per cen
per aunum, on non perishable farm pro
dusts and also upon real estate, with pro
per limits upon the quantity Of land ant
, amount of money.
(c) We demand that the amount of tn
| circulating medium he speedily increase,
to not less than $50 per capita.
2. We demand that Congress shall pas
$ such laws MS will eifectaally prevent th
dealing in futures of all agricultural an,