The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-07-31
ONWARD AND UPWARD.
Noble Words That will Warm the Hearts
of Every Member.

OF Every Member.
A ringing address has been issued BY
Brother Evan-J ones, president of Texas
State Alliance. 1t does one good to
hear such sentiments from the mother
state of the Alliance Pass it round:
Onward and upward is the battle
cry. It is evident that there is an
undercurrent at work, moving heaven
and earth, led by monopolistic and
plutocratic bosses whose sole aim is to
disorganize the people and render futile
their efforts to break the shackles of
financial and commercial slavery. It
is fully understood that the success of
the Farmers Alliance means freedom
to the masses. The producers of cot
ton, corn, wheat and other products
are contending against the holders of
bonds and gold; the laborers in the
worlds great harvest field against the
bondholder and coupon clipper. The
people are aroused and are watching
every movement. They are deter
mined to overthrow the financial sys-
tenn which is enslaving the millions and
enriching the few. Yes, the fight is
on, and the sensation of the period is
the solid rapid growth of the reform
movement During the last six months
over 700 Alliances have been formed
in Texas. Since the adjournment of
the Waco conference April 25, 40 new
charters have been issued, and still the
grand work goes on. This is no spas
modic, ephemeral movement; it is the
resistless impulse of people labor
ing under the oppression of mon
opoly. 1t means a revolution in our
methods of governmental financiering.
1t is protest of patient tired burden
bearers, who have been struggling
these long weary years, hoping by in
creased labor and more stringent
economy to overcome the depressed
condition of our industries. They are
now awakening to the fact that the
laborers of the land have degenerated
into burden-bearers of the whole ma
ton. The great overlapping question
to be determined is, shall our govern
ment degenerate into a land of lords
and serfs. or shall we assert our
manhood and wrest from the hands
of the assassins of our government
the heritage left us by our patriotic
ancestors. This movement means
reformation. Our organization is de-
termined to correct the conditions by
readjusting our economic system on a
fair and equitable basis. The govern
ment has drifted from its moorings.
1t has been removed far from the
people; hence if we would maintain
our civilization we must come back to
the guiding star set in the political
armament by the immortal Jefferson.
Our organization means education,
and every sub-Alliance is a school
room. We teach our members politi-
cal economy and the science of pure
democracy from a non-partisan stand
point. We teach the fatherhood OF
God and the brotherhood of man and
the relation we should sustain to each
other. We endeavor to suppress per-
sonal. local, sectional and national
prejudice, unhealthful rivalry and
selfish ambition. We aim to assist
each other in bearing the burdens Of
life. Our cardinal principles inspire
peace on earth, good will to men.
Like all other organizations of human
origin, we sometimes gather thorns in
our search for roses. Discipline be-
comes necessary. It is is better to
prune than to destroy. We bear with
an erring brother, but if he continue
rebellious no course is left but to cut
him off. If the obligations volun-
tarily taken, are faithfully adhered to
the result will be victory. 1 repeat
the watchword, vigilance! Vigilance!
Vigilance" Eternal vigilance is the
price of liberty.