The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-08-09

be seen that all the hardships were not
endured by Yankee prisoners at'Ander
sonville, Salisbury, Libby Prison 10
Richmond and other Confederate
prisons in the South. eM
Comrades. did any of yoa have Occa-
sion to test Uncle Sans hospitality at
Point Lookout in 1S63-'64-65? If you
did, you know yourself how it was and
1T needs no language or pictures to
describe it. | was there from Decem-
ber 5th, 1864, to M arch 10Th, 1865, and
got away from there by the judicious
use Of half plug of tobacco and run
ming the gauntlet by personifying a
dead man, whose name was Miles r.
King, Of Go. G, 43d N. @. Infantry.
But, my comrades, while the recol-
lection of the trials, hardships and mar
row escapes through which we have
passed may on occasions like this in
terest us, we must remember that our
lives are not yet fully spent. There
still remains much that we can do and
much that we ought to do to add to the
glory and honor of this great republic.
This very day new stars, representing
new States, are to be added to the flag
of our Union. To day we number
fortv-fOur States, and each is repre-
sented by a bright star on the flag of
our country. A man who is patriot
has a heart big enough to love each
and every star on that flag and for
one hope to live to see the day when
the stars and stripes Of our cOuntry's
flag shall not only wave In triumph
from ocean to ocean, but embrace with
in its folds this whole continent and
every inch of territory from the Isthmus
of Panama to the North Pole, and each
and every part Of it be dominated by
constitutional liberty regulated by law.
Then, and not till then, the dreams and
prophecies of the founders of the Union
will be realized and our Manifest
Destiny" be fulfilled.
Here perhaps [ ought to stop, and
would do so if | were content to be a
mere blind follower of a political party.
But I am not thus content and | never
yet have been. What think of public
affairs past or present, [ have never
vet hesitated to declare in season and
sometimes out Of season. 1t may not
be amiss on this occasion to speak a
word to you about the political issues
of the day, the discussion of which is
about to burst as storm cloud upon
the American people. The two most
prominent political parties have already
named their respective candidates and
their respective organizations are about
to come together to face each other
once more in a conflict that is hardly
second to the conflict of arms, about
which [ have been trying to address
you, and which comes back so vividly
to our recOllectiOns on this day,
Last week those earnest, God fearing,
patriotic men and women of the Pro
hibition party assembled at Cincinnati
and put forth platform of principles
nominated a candidate for the Presi-
dency. But three candidates for the
Presidency and three parties are not
all. Dissatisfaction as to one or as to
both of the old dominant parties like
the moth fretting a garment, Of many
years duration, now threatens the
destruction of both of the old parties,
and while [ am speaking to you to-day
the patriotic men of the South, and the
liberty loving men of the West, are as
sembled at Omaha, Neb, taking coun-
sci together as to what shall be done.
The outcome of that convention no
mortal man can tell until it shall be-
come a fact in history.
But whatever the outcome may be, I
for one rejoice that the day is dawning
in this country when the success at the
polls of any political party is not
deemed essential to the preservation of
liberty. Men are beginning to see that
they can think, and speak and act for
themselves in promoting the public
good, without question being raised as
to their patriotism in so doing. 1t
augurs we'll for the future of the Re
public. Let the Father of our Coun-
try" who was himself twice called to
the Presidency by the unanimous votes
of his fellow citizens and of the electoral
colleges be heard: Said he in deliver
ing his ever memorable Farewell Ad-
dress" at time, too, when mature
craftsmanship had ripened by age, ex-
perience and observation Said he: 81
have already intimated to you the dan
ger of parties in State, with particular
reference to the founding of them upon
geographical determinations. Let me
now take a more comprehensive view,
and warn you in the most solemn man
ner against the baneful effects Of the
spirit of party generally. This spirit,
unfortunately, is inseparable from our
nature, having it's root in the strongest
passion of the human mind, 1t exists
under different shapes in all govern
ments, moro or less stif1ed, controlled
or repressed; but in those of the pOpu-
lar form, it is seen in it's greatest rank
ness. and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction
over another, sharpened by the spirit
of revenge natural to party dissension,
which in different ages and countries
has perpetuated the most horrid enor-
mites, is itself a frightful despotism.
But this leads at length to more for
NAL and permanent despotism. The
disorders and miseries which result,
gradually incline the minds of men to
seek security and repose in the absolute
power of an individual; and sooner or
later the chief of some prevailing fac
ton more able or more fortunate than