The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-03-17
TruN Condition of TNlnci.


What is the farmers relation to his
government hat e c:tiz ship-true,
loyal citizenship. Bearing this relation
ship. it bchoovcs him to contribute to
the support of that government. Not
only shall he contribute n reasonable
portion Of his means u the support of
tina: government, but he shall Offer his
life in its defense If necessary. Has the
farmer done this? las he contributed
OF his means to the support of the state
and nation as lihcraly as he should?
Let Us see.
Go look. See the thousands of little
aead miles of education that dot almost
every cross road: the little white school,
house everywhere, marking the public
highway cross, just SO many living
monuments to the |, ya!ty of the citi-
zens OF the rural realm. Silent sen.i-
ucis who seek to guard The life and well
fare of the nation. what say they about
the relation OF the farmer to his govern
mcnt: Has he done his duty9 Let the
farmer answer. Let the world answer?
Go look 10 the seat OF government of
the count. $. What evidences have we
of his fral;y to mis- government? Here
We find the tax assessor. Does'he COM
plain OF the farmer? Here we find the
tax gatherer. Does his condition betray
any failure On the part Of the farmer!
Here we find the tax dispenser. Do the
records in his care charge the farmer
with being false to his duty? Here we
find the magnificent temples of. at once.
justice and injustice. DO they stand i'll
silent frowring contempt of the farmer?
Go ask the society of the nation.
Repair We now to the capitol Of the
State. See We yon pOn;!erous pile? You
are awc-str.cken at once by its
grandeur. You are lost in wonder at
its magniiiccnce. Your heart swells
with manly pride because you are citi-
zen of tie State it adorns.
Do the huge columns that support and
ornament il speak Of indifferen e of the
farmer toward the State? Do the great
foundation stones which lie in silent
slumber beneath the great structure
groan cut vindictvcly on the head of the
farmer? Go ask the smiling dome on d
c!oudless day. Go ask the thousand
eyes OF crystal that look in laughing
welcome as be approaches; let these
answer.
Last and greatest, hic We away in
your Imagination, for thus only can We
20 to the great governmental fountain
OF the nation. the fountain from wh:cl,
shOull flow strong fellow feeling be-
tween the rulers and the ruled, the
governors and the governed, the nation
ana the people who compose it. Gaze
now on that mammoth monument, sacred
to the memory of our torefathers who
established the first really great repub-
lie the world ever saw and mighty re-
mindcr of the greatness OF vast en-
pire.
Ask of the massive supports OF this
wonderful structure the attitude OF the
farmer toward this country. Ask O. the
marble floors which echo and re-echo to
every foot-fai. that reso,Inds in it's
stately halls. Ask OF the lonp-r,ste
musket hid away in ome dusty cellar.
Ask Of the nicl.nd AMI broken sabar by
its side. Ask OF the frownins cannon
that sits silently n its launches, ready
at a moment to belch forth instant ami
hllat!on to every enemy of the republic.
List for the answer of the mountain
Gus capitol. Hark ye to the unheard
voice OF the bullet, the cannon ball, the
musket, and the great starred and
striped emblem of American liberty
which so proudly waves in the breeze
above the gold-tinted Come. Ask them
all. Has the farmer been loyal to his
country? Has the farmer been true to
his flag? Has the farmer contributed &
fair share Of his means to the support of
his government? Has he refused to
give his life at her call? Reni We the
anxious ear and let the world m swer.
Turn the shield. What may the
farmer demand from his government in
return for his fealty to it: Protection OF
life and property. The former he needs
not; the latter he des rves. Does he
get it? Let us see.
Twice a year he makes his pilgrimage
to the county seat TO visit the t;xgat,l-
erer. He wakes poor because of the
unfair and unjust portion of tithes he is
compelled to pay He labor5 continu-
ously to secure for himself end family q
scanty subsistence, and lend his portion
to the support of the county Her. he
finds the servants. They have been
selected to take charge of the affairs.
He has selected them. He is the EN-
ployer; they are the hired mcn." no
they look like it? Do they deny them
selves actual necessities in order thai
they may live honorably: Do they pro.
duce any wealth? Are they clothed ir
rags and patches while farmers wea,
cashmere and fine linen? Who are the
SeTvants-yho are the masters? Is the
county protecting his property?
Go on t. the State. Search ye
through it's magnificent halls. Seek "
its officers. See ye tleN familiar faces
marked by coarse features and heav,
Inns? How many OF them? Search "
jilig. ntly. See ye enough farmcrsi
10 the farmers have places in proper
ton to the taxes they pay? Are the
governmental affairs of the State admin
lstered with the economy that a farme
administers his affairs?
oil To-
ton Of its lawmakers are farmers
How much of the wealth Of the natior
do you own? % per cent. What pc
cent. Of the taxes do you pay here? 6
per cent. Is your wealth decreasing
You say 1t is. How fast? At the rat,
Of Is per cent. evers ten years. Hav,
you been paying more interest on none,
than you can get from your farm: Yo,
certainly have. Why! because thcr.
is SO little money in the country and 81
few men control it. Who has the right t.
issue money? Congress alone. Is an,
one between you and the government
that issues the money. Surely there is
Who is he? The national banker. Ho,
much Of the business o; the country
done on credit? ~ per cent. How d
men control the money necessary t
transact the other eight per cent? b
uidhAHS d lh" WHICH say . tnaL SOIO OIL
shall be money, then corncrng the gold
Have you been soldier? You re
ceived $13 month in gre nbacks? Th
tOndholder made a law which enable
him to t; Ike one of your months wage
in gold and buy S36. 40 in grccnbacks.
Has the Government protected you
property? Have you noticed what mas
give fortunes have been boarded up
30 short time? Have you not though
It strange that one kind of propcrt
should pay taxes and and another moi
Who has made this possible? Yos
Government. Has it done its duty t<
ward you? Shall it do SO? Shall NJ
these vast incomes be taxed? Where
now the public domain? In tn hands
railway corporations. Who put it ther.
Your Government. Who else has ho
Of this land? The foreigner. Is it hi.