The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-05-27

NC UUaSt, tHcIciOIe, VI tHc mdteliai
prosperity of the country, unless it can
be shown that the people generally,
the masses, share in this prosperity
avails the old parties nothing, but
rather is calculated to bring them into
disrepute, since any government whose
laws enable the few to prosper and
force the many into poverty must be
pursuing vicious policy fraught with
danger to the peace of society.
Who are those who are complaining
of the old parties, and are chiefly re-
sponsible for the new party, or
the Peoples party? The answer is,
the farmers of the United States.
What of the farmers of America !?
There are many millions of them
who cultivate the soil aud supply food
for all the people. They are toilers in
the strictest sense of the term, and,
accepting the most authoritative data,
receive less compensation for their in.
vestments and labor than people en-.
gagged in any other industrial pursuit
whatsoever.
By the census of 1890 there were
4,008,907 farms and 1870, 492 persons
employed on farms, and the investments
of these farmers amounted to $40, 1877
096, 776. Now, | think it would be
safe to estimate that during the past
ten years. or from 1880 10 1890, there
was an increase Of rs per cent. all
round, which would give US now ap-
proximately 5,0l1,246 farms, showing
an investment of $l2.746,37O,97O, and
9 ,S38,1l6 persons engaged in farming.
| have said that farmers are chiefly
responsible for launching the People s
party upon the country, and the figures
| have given indicate its backing.
It is asserted that all the farmers are
not identified with the Peoples party
The point, | think, is we'll made. 1t is
true. But it may be said that all
Christians are not identified with a
church, still they are not hostile to the
church and often contribute literally
for its maintenance. Ifit is found that
the Peoples party adopts a policy cal
cu!ated to promote the welfare Of
farmers, then, upon the principle that
"bood is thicker than water" it is safe
to conclude they will break away from
old associations and vote for their own
emancipation and welfare.
1t is claimed that the Peoples party
favors policy promotive of the welfare
of wage. workers in every industry in
the land. The declaration is we'll worth
bordering by laboring men OF every
trade and calling. l notice that Mr.,
T. V. Powderly, in recent speech
said
"The farmers have decided to stand
by US. Let US resolve to stand by
them-make their cause our cause
everywhere and in everything. When
they are assailed we are assailed, and
should resent it. When they are in
danger, so are we. Let us act together
in getting out of it. They are assisting
us in our struggle for the rights of oul
brothers of N. T. A. 2Sl. Let u,
assist them in their struggle agains,
the evils that make it possible to boy
colt Knights of Labor. Let our resolve
be to act with them. study with them
think with them and vote with them.
Mr.. Powderly's opinions are entitled
to great weight and will doubtless ex-
ert powerful influence upon the mind,
of workingmen throughout the country
particularly in the ranks Of Knights O
Labor, and it is quite probable tha
others, known to be men of great abil
ity, recognized as champions of labor
will deem it prudent to aid the Peoples
party in its efforts to inaugurate
reforms.
The writer hereof is not member OIL
the Peoples party-simply student Of
politics in its relation to good govern.
ment-and l am aware that the plat.
form of the Peoples party proposes
measures in advance of the partisan
thought of the rank and file of the old
parties. But working people are con-
fronted with the fact that for whatever
wrongs exist in governmental affairs
the old parties are responsible, and
that Notwithstanding the supremacy Of
the old parties change; that, though
one goes up and the other goes down,
the wrongs of which labor complains
remain uudisturbed, and that they
flourish like the banyan tree-spread
out and send down their arms to take
root, and, regardless of what party is in
as converts for those who defy law and
continue their piratical methods.