The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-03-10
Al Address to the People.


This. the firsssiircnt labor conference of the !
United States, and of the world representing /
hil divisions of urban and rural organized in j
dustry. ass~niblcd in National Congress- in !
vOking upon its action the blessing and pro- !
lection Of Almighty God, puts forth. to and |
for the producers of the nation, this dnclura-
ton of union and independence.
The conditions which surround us beet jus
tify our cooperation.
We meet in the midst of nation brought to
the verge of moral, political and material
ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot-bOx,
the legislatures. the Congress and touches
even the erninc of the bench. The people
are icmoralizcd. Many Of ste States have
been compelled to isolate the voters ut the
polling places in order to prevent universal
intimidation or bribery. The newspapers are
sutsidi2cd or muzzed. public opinion silcnccd
business Frustrated. our homes covered with
mortgages. labor Impoverished. ana the hand
concentrating in the hands of capitalists
The urban workman:are denied the right of
organization for self-prOtccticn; imported
paurcrizcd labor beats down their wages; Il
hireling standing army, unrecoxn;zcd by our
laws, Is established to shoot them down. and
they are rapidly dogcncrating to European
conditions. The fruits OF the toll of millions
are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes
unprrscntcd in the hi.toryaof the world
While their pOsseSsOrs dcspise the republic
and cnsianXer liberty. From:the same proli-
lie womb OF governmental injustice VIC breed;
the two great classcs-paup"rs and million
| aires. The national power to create money
IL appropriated to enrich bond holders: silver
which has been accepted as coin since the
dawn of history. had been demonctized to
add to thespurchasins power of gold by de-
| cre"sinx the value OF all forms of property
we'll IA human labor; AMI the supply of cur
| rency is purpously abridged to fattcn usurcrs,
bankrupt cnte rpri~e and cnsave industry. 4
! vast conspiracy against mankind has been or
ga:,izcd on two continents and Is taking pos
session Of the world. If not met and over
thrown at once il :orho,'es terrible social CON
vusions. the destruction or the establishment
of an absolute slcSroti>m.
In this crisis Of human afruirs. the tnteI!i-
gent working people and producers of the
United Suites have come together. in the name
of peace order nn': soci, ~. to defend liberty
prosperity and Justice.
We declare an union ard independence VIC
assert our purpose TO vote with the political
organization which represents our principles
We charge that the controlling influences
dominating the old political parties have III
lowed the exist ing dreadful conditions to de-
vcloP without serious effort to restrain or
. | prevent them Neither do they now intend to
accomplish reform They have agreed TO-
} gethcr to ignore. in the coming campaign.
the outCres of u pl:,ntlres people with thu. up-
. roar OF n sham battle over tas' trritf. Ed that
corporations national hunks. rings. trusts.
"watcrcG stocks the decentralization of sill
yer, and the expressions of usErcrS. may all
, he lost sight nf. They propose to sacrifice our
homes aud children upon the alter of Mann
10 <1s,f
order to secure corruption funds frcm the
lords of plumber We assert that II political
"rxmn' k rcprsscn'ins the political prin
, the grievances of which VIC complain.
Assembled TN the anniversary of the birth
) OF the iitust1icus man who led the first yrea!
revolt on this continent against oppression
, FILED with the sentiments which actimtct Il ba,
r grand generation, we seek to restore the gov
cri,ncnf of the Republic to the hands of the
'plnin people" with whom 1t originated. Dun
, door stands open tn all points of the compass
2 In order to restrain the exinrtions of axrr.
, grated capital. to drive the money changer.
; ont of the temple. Ito form more perfect
+ union, establish justice. insure domestic tran
guilty. provide for the common defense. pro
r mote the general welfare AMI sccurt. he bless
!. ings Of liberty TOR ourselves and our postcri
ty. We do Ordain and establish the 4. How i.is
8 Platform of principles:
We declare the union of the labor forces OF
the United States. this day accomplished per
mancnt and perpetual. May it's spirit cnte,
into all hearts for the salvation of the Repub
lie and the uplifting of mankind.
Wealth belongs 10 him who creates it.. Ever,
dollar taken from industry. without All equiv
ai:'iif i robbery. If amy will not work, n;.ith
1 er shall he cmi. The interests of rural an,
urban labor are the same: their enemies nr
= identical.
We recommend national currency. safi
c and sound and flexible. issued by the grncr,
government only. Il fun legal tender for al
debts. public and private. and that withOll
the use Of hnnkfng corporations. n just. clnii
able and efficient means Of circn laini,. ,iircc
d rs set fourth in this sul'-trcns,,ry plan of tn
9 Farmers Alliance. or some better system
. Also toy payments in discharge OF it, obliys
Il tinnS for public improvements.
We demand the free and unlimited cOinag
# Of silver. We d"msnd that the amount of tn
not less Tia" s." per capita 's Increase"
Vcdcmand graduated income tax. We IN
T. lieve tn It the money of the country should !,
people, and hence We demand that all nation:
ard state revenues shall nc limited to the. ncs
: cssnry expenses of the government. cconom
= cnlly and honestly administered.
u We demand that postal Swings hunks bc q
tahli>hcd by the government for the safe d,
e post OF the earnings of the people and I
II We demand that tho government Issue leg,
is tender notes and pay tn" union soldier tn
difference between the price of the dcprcc;a
= cd money i'm whic:, he WIS paid and gold.
s The land including all the natural resource
of wealth is the hc.it"gr of all the people Al,
! should not be mont,polizcd for speculutiy
purposes and alien ownership of land sho,,I
nc prohibited. All land now h, ID 10y railroad
and other corporations I'm excess of their n
- tunl needs and all lands now owned ley nliel
v should be reclaimed 10y the government an
al held for act:Ial settlers only.
Transportation being a means OF cxchang
IL AMI p.lhlic necessity, the government shoiI
+ own and operate the railroads in the Interest
- of the people
The telegraph and telephonc. like the pos
n Office system, being necessity for the tran
u mission Of news. should he opened nnd opt'"
T. ted by the government in the interest OF N
people.
= Resolved. That VIC hail this conference q
the consumation of perfect Gnion of heart
and hundS of all sections of our commO
III country. The men who wore the gray and +
e blue meet here to cxtin <h he lust ~mGul
u erin: embers of civil war in the tears of joy
It united and hmppy people. mnd We ngrc- I
carry tue Stars and Stripes forward forever
y he highest point of national greatness.