The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-03-03

moral, political and material ruin. Cor
ruptlon dominates the ballot box, at the
Legislatures, tho Congress, and touches
even the ermine of the bench. The
people arc demoralized. Many of the
States have been compelled to isolate
the voters at the polling places in order
TO prevent universal intimidation or
bribery. The newspapers are subsi.
died or muZzled, public opinion sill
enced, business prostrated, our homes
covered with mortgages, labor impov-
erlshed, and the land concentrating in
the hands Of capitalists. The urban
workmcn are denied the right of organ.
iZation Tor self projections: imported
pauperlzcd labor beats down their wages:
a hlrellng standing army, unrecognized
ny our laws, is established to shoot them
down and they are rapidly dcgenerating
10 European conditions. The fruits Of
the Toll OF millions are boldly stolen to
build up colossal fortunes, unprece.
dented IN the history of the world, while
Their possessors despise the Republic
ana endanger liberty. From the same
prolific womb governmental Injustice,
we breed the two great classes-pau-
rcrs and millionaires. The national
power TO create money is appropriated
TO enrich bondholders; silver. which has
been accepted as coin since the dawn of
history, has been dcmonetized to admit
the purchasing power Of gold by decreas-
ing the value of all forms of property,
as we'll as human labor, aud the supply
OF currency is purposely abridged to
iatten usurcrs, bankrupt enterprise AMI
enslavc industry. A vast conspiracy
against mankind has been organized on
two continents and is taking possession
OF the worl /. Ifnot met and overthrown
at once it forebodes terrible social con-
vulslons, the destruction of civilization
or the establishment of an absolute des-
potism. In this crisis Of human affairs,
the intelligent working people and pro-
duccrs Of the United States have come
together in the name of peace, order
and society, to defend liberty, prosper
ity and justice.
We declare our union and independ-
cnce. We assert our purpose to vote
With that political organization which
represents our principles.
We charge, with controlling influence
dominating, the old political parties
have allowed the existing dreadful con-
ditions TO deyclop without serious effort
to restrain or prevent them. Neither
40 they now intend TO accomplish re-
form. They have agreed together TO
ignore i'll the coming campaign, every
Issue but one.
They propose to drown the outcrics
OF Il plundered people with the uproar
OF sham battle over the tariffs; so that
corporations, national banks, rim gs,
trusts, "watcred Stocks" the demonet-
lzation Of silver and the expressions of
usurcrs may all be lost sight of. They
propose to sacrifice our homes and chill
dren upon the alter Of mammon, to de-
stroy the hopes Of the multitude in order
u secure corruption funds from the
great lords Of plunder. We assert that
| political organization, representing
the principles herein stated, is necessary
to redress the grievances of which we
complain. Assembled on the anniver.
sary of the birth Of the illustrious man
who led the first great revolt OH this
continent against opposition, filed with
the sentiment which actuatcd that grand
revolution, we seek to restore the gov
ernment o. the Republic to the hands
OF the ''plain people" with whom it
originated. Our doors stand open to all
points OF the compass. We ask all hon.
est men to JOIN with us and help us. In
order to restrain the cXtortions Of ag-
gregated capital, to drive the m )ney
changers from the temple, to form a
perfect union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general
welfare and secure the blessings Of liber-
ty 1Or ourselves and our pOsterity, we
do ordan and establish the following
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES:
We demand anational currency, safe,
sound and flexible, issued by the gem
eral government only, full legal tender
Tor all debts, public and private, and
That without the use OF banking corpo-
rations a just, equitable and efficient
means OF distribution direct to the peO-
pie and not to exceed 20 per cent, to
be provided as set forth in the sub-trcas.
ury plan of the Farmers Alliance or
some better system, also by payment
III discharge OF it's obligation for public
improvements.
We demand a free and unlimited COIN
age of silver.
We demand that the amount of the
circulating medium be speedily increased
to not less than $50 per capita.
w y uoLinhu u SIauuateu luCOInc LaX.
We believe that the money Of the
country should be kept as much as pos
slblc i'll the hands of The people, and de-
mand that all State and national reven-
ues shall be limited to the necessary ex-
penses of the Government, economical
ly and honestly administered.
We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the Government for
the safe deposit of the earnings Of the
people and to facilitate exchange.
The land, including all the national
sources of wealth, is the heritage of all
the people, and should not be monopo-
Med tor special purposes, while alien
ownership of land should be prohibited.
All lands now held by railroads and
other corporations in excess of their
natural needs and all lands now owned
by aliens should be reclaimed by the
government aid held Tor actual settlers
only.
Transportation being means of ex-
change and public nt necessity, the Gov
ernmenL should own and operate the
railroads in the interests of the people.