The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-01-15
PRESIDENT POLK.
To the Brotherhood Of the National
Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union.

To the Brotherhood Of the National
| Farmers Alliance and Indus
/ trial Union.
| We believe that the great principles upon
which the demands Of our Order are based
are correct. We believe that these princi-
pies are founded in equity and Justice. We
believe their recognition and adoption in
our governmental policy would conserve the
highest interests Of the public veal. We
believe that the just equipose between the
great industries of our country, which is
absolutely essential to our existence as a
free people. has been destroyed. We believe
that the political power and wealth of the
country are being appropriated and absorb
ed, through discriminating and vicions leg.
islation, BY The few, To the detriment and
ruin of the many. We believe that as q
people we are fast drifting away from the
landmarks ofthe fathers Of the republic.
Prompted BY these painful convictions.
we have solemnly appealed TO the sense Of
justice and patriotism of the American PEG.
pie. Ignoring past party differences, men Of
all sections and of all shades of political
opinion, have magnanimonsly and patriot
ically aligned themselves under the ALI
ance banner and espoused common cause
the cause OF common country, the cause Of
humanity and justice.
We expected opposition, persistent, Bit
ter and powerful opposition. We expected
that every expedient that could be devised
for demoralizng and dividing us would be
employed. We expected that the formida.
able evils against which we had entered
battle would intrench and fortify behind
party lines, and employ the machinery and
enginery Of party power against us. We
expected that our righteous demand for an
open field, and an equal chance in the race
of life would be ignored and spurned. We
expected that our earnest plea for justice
would not be weighed in The scale of reason
nor met with fair and manly argument. but
that we would be ridiculed, mallRned and
persistenily misrepresented. In all this we
have not been disappointed.
Now what is our duty as Alliance men?
Plainly, it is to stand loyalty and manfully
by our principles, extend the hand of friend
ship and fellowship to any man or party
who favors our principles. Place measures
above men. Place country above section.
Place love Of home, of family, above the
Elusive and teacherous rewards of party
service. Place right above wrong.
Let duty-the grandest word ever uttered
10 the dialect of mortal tongue, duty to God,
duty to country, duty to home and family
be the sublime standard of our action in all
things devolying upon as citizens. Let Us
be diligent and faithful in all our duties as
Alliance men. Keep up and strengthen the
organization. Ecourage the wavering,
strengthen the weak and confirm the strong.
Continue TO educate the people in the great
principles of justice. equality and truth.
The crucial test Of our manhood, and our
loyalty to principle is upon US. Stupendous
effort will be made by orr enemies 10 90
direct the campaign of 1892, as to disrupt
and destroy our organization. Appeals to
sectional pride or prejudice win be made
Let us answer that our Order knows no
North, no South, no East, no West. The
disaffecction or disloyalty of an occasional
traitor in our ranks will be urged as evil
dence of decay. Let us answer that no
human organization that ever had an
existence was exempt from these. Party
fe4lty and party spirit will be our prin-
ciples. Let us answer that we will stand by
that party that will stand by us, and that
we are not so blind as to expect relief at the
hands ofany political party that opposes
our principles. and seeks to destroy our
organization. Weakness In numbers, and
our diso,ganized condition as a political
factor, will be paraded to prove our help
lessress. Let us answer that the old Saxon
spirit and courage which met this same
base argument in two Of the migbtiest rev.
olutions 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 political forces, will be held
up in formidable array to intimidate us.
Relying on the justice of our cause, the
invincibie power Of right, and the favor Of
God, let US meet them with The only weapons
left us--nanhood and ballots.
Equal rights to all and special privileges
to none" is all we ask. A just and honor
able people would be content with nothing
less. Be not DECEIVED by plausible devices
involving compromise Of principles, or a
betrayal of the high purposes Of our Order.
Beware Of glft-bearing Greeks.
Fraiernally, L. L. POLK,
Pres. N. F. A. and /. U.