Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-08-18
He Tells His Alliance Brethren
the Time for Standing
Still" is Past.
Marching Music to the Tune of
the Ocala Demands.
Alliancemen Must Emphasize
Their Faith i'm Their Princi-
pies at the Ballot Box.
The Age of Hero Worship i'm
the South is Gone.

1 ASSpH.
Some months since in a letter to
you, asked you to stand still for
awhile and take no hasty or excited
action, especially along political lines.
Since then the political parties have
met in National Convention, adopted
platforms and made nomin ations for
President and vice President. The
lines are being drawn and the issues
Joined.
While our organization is not par
tisan it is needless for me to say it is
political, and each and every one of
US as political factors in this govern
ment are expected to take some part
as citizens of common country. AS
the Ark of the Covenant, by the work
of the Creator, controlled the desti-
nies of the children of Isreal of old,
so the ballot box by the votes polled
in it controls for veal or woe the des-
TIMES of the American people. Liv-
ing, vital issues are before us in the
impending conflict, and cannot say
to you, "retire to your tents, Oh
Israel" for you have no part nor par
eel in the matter, for You are the i'm
portant ones interested and should
therefore take vigilant, watchful, ear
nest action. You are not only inter
ested, but any discriminating law af-
fects your interest quicker and more
directly than any other class or pro-
fession. Therefore every man is ex-
pected to do his duty.
The tendency of this nation today
is to drift to two extremes. MOnopO-
ly on one hand and anarchy upon the
other. Either and both are not only
hurtful, but ruinous to good, free pop
ular government. One extreme means
despotism, the other means ruin.
There is only one correct solution of
the situation, and that is for the great
conservative mass of citizens, the
home-owners and wealth h-producers of
the nation to step to the front, neu-
tralize these two extremes and not on
ly restore but keep good government
for the people.
A ballot or q vote in the eyes of
American citizenship does not merely
mean the names of the men on it
who are voted for, for Office; it means
also the intelligent expression of that
voters sentiment upon the pending
question of political economy and the
issues involved as pertains to free gov
ernment. The Alliance is and has
been the great school room in which
you have educated yourselves on all
questions affecting your interest, and
concerning your welfare as citizens of
this republic. In studying. you have
become convinced that reforms are
needed in finance, and along other
lines of legislation where your inter-
est has been Disseminated against;
you have become convinced that yOu
and annually paying millions of dollars
earned by the labor of your hands to
fill the Golfers of protected few, and
to enrich syndicates and monopelies
that are fostered by unjust laws and
these are fattening upon the fruits of
your industry.
In studying and advocating these
questions eff reform, you have drawn
around you all the conservative labor
organizations of the nation, and one
question today is, not only will you
stand shoulder to shoulder with each
other, but win you stand shoulder to
shoulder with these organizations
that have come to aid us in the grand
work before usf
The age of hero worship in the
South is gone. We have dealt too
much in sentimental politics. We
have always received the sentiment
any other sections have had the solid
fruits of business in legislation. The
result is, some other localities are
reveling in luxury and ease while we
are struggling in poverty.
More than quarter of q century
has elapsed since the civil war closed
since the Confederate soldier, in
rags, returned to a barren field and a
cherries fire side--since the Federa al
soldier returned to his home and went
to work to sustain life and support
family. Both have worked hard, as q
rule, but are today poorer than when
they returned to their homes. This
has been caused principally by the
unjust and discriminating finance
laws of the general government, max
ing the rich richer and the poor poor,
er; and today the political parties thai