St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1891-01-10
WOMAN Is A HUMAN BEING.

WOMAN Is A HUMAN BEING.
A reporter once asked an old farmer
in the west what he thought of the
question ais marriage failure?" He
replied "What, marriage? Well,
let's see. There's Luncindy gifts up in
the mornin', kindles the fire, milks six
COWS, starts four children off to school,
tends to three others, skins twenty
pans O. milk, feeds the hens, likewise
the hogs, looks after some mctherless
sheep, gifts breakfast, washes up the
dishes, gifts dinner, ct cetery-why
now, do you think I could hire any
body to do all that for what she gifts? ?"
Not much It's great success, sir |"
All, these patient, sad-faced, weary
millions of women! The pathos of
their lives They have entered this
organization with cheeks flushed with
hope, many Of them for the first time
in life. May God lead and bless
them.
3. This movement means
COOPERATION AS AGAINST COMPETITION.
1t is in this principle of socialism
that the order has its strongest found
alton. They are pledged to cooperate
with each other in the production of
economic goods, and not only SO, but
to cooperate in the distribution of
these goods. The alliance stores for
supplies are a prominent feature of
their work. These stores contain the
germ idea of the great industrial CO.
operative societies of workingmen in
Great Britain. They are asserting in
life the principle that it is better for
men to fight for one another than
against one another. They are learn
ing the secret of associated power
that in union there is strength. It is
in the light of this fact that we solve
the apparent paradox that while they
cry out against trusts and monopolies,
in the same breath they demand that
the government oppress its functions
to the very verge OF state socialism.
These cries are not inconsistent. They
are the assertion of fundamental prin-
ciples. They recognize the fact that
government is not something separate
from the people, but when normally
administered, is simply the people
governing themselves-that it is not
power to be forced, but a power
to be utilized for the happiness Of all.
4. The organization means brother
hood. 1t is fraternal and benevolent
order with principles Of love and
fraternity, wide as the world, universal
as the rose.
The fifth and sixth articles in their
St. Louis Declaration of Purposes,
A SECOND DECLARATION OF NDEPEN-
DKscE,1
read thus.
5. To constantly strive to secure
entire harmony and good will to all
mankind, and brotherly love among
ourselves.
6. To suppress personal, local Sec
tional and national prejudices, all un-
healthy rivalry, and all selfish ambi-
ton"
An ideal as high as heaven-an echo
of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. They
have determined to "bear one another's S
burdens and so fulfill the law of
Christ" They pledge themselves to
alleviate suffering and pain, to care
for the widows and educate the orphans
of their dead. This is climbing the
heights of life. This is pure religion
undefled.
They have not gone into politics be
cause they are political organization.
They have been
FORCED TO GO INTO POLITICS
because their general principles were
social, economic and religious. All
social and economic questions have
become political questions, and all po-
litical questions are religious. The
political arena is where all the great
questions Of to-day and tomorrow
must be fought and settled.
Let no man deceive himself by be
lieving that this organization is {
passing episode in politics. Remem
Der its foundation is not primarily
political, but social and economic. 4
is the embodiment Of grand mora
ideas-it is the movement of a revolu
ton. It will not go backward. Ma,
tGod o;xo tic loadarc uicdaYyo