The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-01-26
AN APPEAL, ADDRESSED TO THE
TEXAS DEMOCRACY.
To the Democracy of TeraS:

~@ @NS ~@N~
the reform generally known as the
Sub Treasury plan" should not here
after be admitted to a participation In
the councils of the Democratic party
In Texas, following almost Immediately
upon the practical expulsion of a mem
Der of a county executive committee,
who was a believer in said reform, adj
monishes us that the time has arrived,
when it is proper and necessary for
these who believe in the liberty of COZ
science and of opinion, to speak out
plainly as to their intentions ana pur-
poses.
We hold this truth to be self evident,
that the appointment of Chairman Fin
ley, as chief of the State Executive
Committee, did not invest him with
the attribute of infallibility, nor place
in his piOus keeping, the souls and con
sciences of individual Democrats.
Reared as we have been, in the folds
of the Democratic party, and many OF
us having fought it's battles, and fol
lowed its flag for a life time, we have
been taught ever to believe that DemOc-
racy wasnOt, and in its essential nature,
could not be, incompatible with perfect
liberty of thought and speech.
Previous to this most remarkable
illumination of Chairman Finley, we
had supposed that each individual was
a freeman, having full possession of,
and control over his own conscience.
Holding these views, the undersigned,
in common with many others, true
and loyal Democrats, have een fit to
examine and approve the principles of
what is called the Sub-Treasury plan.
We believe in common, with the great
mass of laborers and producers, that
during the past 80 years, if not ever
since its foundation, our Federal Gov
eminent has been administered IN the
interest of capital to the prejudice of
labor. The tillers of the soil, the pro-
ducers and property owners generally,
and all other values, have submitted
for many years, to a systematic rob
berry by the government, for the en-
riehment of the c~apitalistic classes.
Agriculture, the basis of all wealth,
has borne the burdens of government,
and those who follow its pursuits, thus
discriminating against, have gradually
become "hewers of wood and drawers
of water" for the more favored classes;
oppressed always and successfully, by
the eXactiOns of money, and incapable,
through unjust laws and systems,
propagated by syndicated wealth, of
exercising even the poor privilege of
naming a price, for what they produce
or may have to sell
Anent these environments, which
threaten ever the existence of them and
their loved ones. they are looking for
some remedy. Free born, they are not
disposed forever to wear chains, which
present economic conditions have i'm
posed upon them, and which, in some
respects are more CALLING than the ac-
tual slavery once existing in OH midst.
They feel that they are entitled to
equal privileges with all other classes IN
the country, and that they now have a
right to demand that all discrimina
tiOns by governments against them shall
cease. The flag they have raised, and
the battle they have begun, has but one
Object-equality. This they feel they
are entitled to and they intend to have.
To the details of the Sub Treasury |
plan, we are not welded. If they are
inconsistent with conservative business
principles, or with the teachings Of the
Democratic fathers, let them go. But
upon the principle Of the Sub-Treasury
plan. we shall remain infieXible. This
principle as we understand it, is that
national banks, as banks of issue shall
be abolished, that all money shall be is
sued direct by the government itself, in
sufficient volume to do the business of
the country on @ conservative cash
basis, at the least possible expense to
the people, that the volume shall be
placed beyond the reach of private
manipulation, and rendered incapable
of marked relative contraction or eX-
p~ansiOn. On this principle, which we
believe is sanctioned and inculcated by
many of u wlseSt statesmen, mClud-
ing the immortal Jefferson, we have no
cOmpJ Omise to offer. We know that
each year the people n forced to sub
NIT to eXtOrtiOnate robbery because of
a want of such a circulating medium
In this country, and they are not viii
ling to submit to this enforced scarcity,
in the interest, aud for the benefit of
the money lenders of Wall street.
If war among Democrats must come,
because of our determination to exer-
else the rights of free American citizen
ship, and to think for ourselves, with
out taking the advice Of some boss"
the responsibility must rest on other
shoulders than ours. We are ready
Tor peace on war, prescribing no man
for opinions sake, and equally deter
mined that no man shall prescribe us;
and, we call upon all Democrats in
Texas, as well as others who think
with us, and the liberal minded who
differ from us, to organize at once in
every congressional district, county
and voting precinct, for the preserva-
ton Of pure J~effersonian Democracy, in
this grand old commonwealth, and the
rescue of our country from the hands
Of buccaneers, who seem determined in
their i~nsolence, to destroy it, unless
they are permitted to rule it for their
exclusive benefit and that of their fell
low spoilsmen.-SOuthern Mercury.
ABOUT PARTIES.
a political party is In organization
&c os4unnr fnr, tho nrOmOfiOn nf q nn,nnD