The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-02-11
COL. POLK PROCLAIMS.
BEWARE OF THE CIFT-BEARINC
CREEKS.
Corporate Power, Centralized Capital, and
All Forces mt Hand VIII BE Arraycd to
Intimislatc the Aniancc-Stand by the
Party that Fnvors Your Demands.
Another Troy.

The following official proclamation
has been issued by President l.. L. Polk:
To the Brotherhood OF the National Farm
ers Alliance and Industrial Union:
We believe that the great principles upon
which the demands OF our order are based
are correct We believe that these prin-
ciples are fouadcd upon equity AMI justice.
We believe their recognition and adoption
in our governmental policy would conserve
the highest interests of public veal. We
believe that the just cquipo-e between the
great industries Of the country. which Is
absolutely essential TO our existence as 4
free people. has been destroyed. We be-
Ii we that the polite II power and wealth OF
the country are being appro prlatcd and alb
SIrbed, through discrimination and vicious
legislation. b. the few. To the detriment
and ruin OF the many. We believe that as
Il people VIC are fast drifting away from
the landmarks Of the fathers OF the repub-
lie.
Prompted by these painful convictions,
we have s,emnly appealed to the sense OF
justice and patriotism of the American p,O-
pie. Ignoring pas. party differences. mon
of ali shades OF political opinion have
n:agnanmeEs and patr.otically aligned
themselves under the Alliance banner and
c>ponscd n common cause.-the cause OF a
common C,untry-the cause Of humanity
and justice.
We expected oppoSition-perSiStent. Bit
ter aad powerful opposition. We expected
that every cNpcdient that could be de-
viscd FOR denoraiizin: and dividing us
would be employed. We expect ed that the
formidable evils against which We had en-
tered battle would intrench and fortify be-
hind party lines and employ the machinery
and engincry Of party power against Us.
We expected that our righteous demand for
an open field aud an equal chance in the
race OF life woul. be ignored and spurned.
cSDprfpt
tice would not he weighed in the scale OF
reason nor met with fair and manly argu-
ment. but that we would be ridiculed,
maligued and persi>tently misrepresented.
In all this we have not been disappointed.
Now what is cur duty as Alliance men?
Plainly. it is to stand Loyalty and manfully
by our principles. vote for no man or party
who oppose our principles. extend the hand
of friendship and fellowship to any man
or party who favor our principles.
Place principles above parties. Place
measures above men. Place country
above section. Place love of home, of fam
lily. above tire illusive and treacherous re-
wards OF party service. Place right above
wrong.
Let duty-the srandest word ever ut
tered in the dialect of mortal tongue duty
to God. duty to country, duty to home and
family. BE- the sublime standard Of our ac-
tion in all things devolving upon us as cit!-
zens. Let us be diligept and faithful in
our duties as Alliance men. Keep up and
strengthen the organization. Encourage
the waverin-. strengthen the weak, confirm
tho strong. Continue to educate the people
In the great principles OF justice equity
and truth. The crucial test of our man
hood and loyalty to principle IS upon us.
Stupendous efforts will be made by our
enemies to direct the campaign OF
1892 as to disrupt and destroy our
or.anization. Appeals to sectional pride
.,,1i hp ,.,1a Infp or
that our order knows no North, no South,
no East, no West. The disaffection or dis
loyalty OF an occasional traitor in our
ranks will be urged as evidence OF decay.
Let us answer that no human organization
that ever had existenca was exempt
from these Party fealty and party spirit
will he invoked to force an abandonment
of our principles. Let US answer that We
will stand by that party that will stand by
us, and that VIC are not so blind as to en-
pect relief at the hand Ct any political
party that opposes our principles and seeks
to destroy our organization. Weakness in
numbers. and our disOrsanized condition rs
n political factor will be paraded to prove
our hcip1cssncis Let us answer that the
old Saxon spirit and courage which met
this base argument in two OF the mishticst It
rev cNOlutions OF modern times and gave to
the world this great country. has not yet
died out in the hearts Of the American
people
Corporate power. centralized capital and
all their allied olltical force, will be held
up in formidable array to intimidate us.
R.iyiny on the justice OF our cause. the in
vincible power OF right and the favor ol
Gcd. let us meet them with the only weap-
Ons left us-manhoOd aud ballots.
Equal rights t. all and special privileges
to none" Fl all we ask just and honor
able people wodid ask for nothing more.
a just and honorable people would be con.
xy;t IA Rs,p mot ds.co vat,l Ia