The Opelousas courier., 1893-09-23
A CHRCULAE LETTER
Addressed TO the Members of the FARM
ers' Alliance of the State of kOuisi-

1 appeal to you, brothers of the Farmers
Alliance, to stand by your cOlors.
Organic under the banner of the Ocala
demands.
Re-organize your defunct sub-unions, rein,
state your parish union with the State union.
The Farmers are the only class of people who
are not thoroughly organized, even for self
protection, to say nothing OF the commercial
advantages derived therefrOm.
The bankers, merchants, railroads and all
commercial bodies are allied and thoroughly
organized. Even capital itself in the hands
Of moneyed kings is organized to a cent.
Labor is demoralized without any organiza'
ton whatever.
What will be the result of this Reorganization
of the ag%riculturist? Capital, with its perfect
organization, is like an army of regular sol,
diers, thoroughly equipped with experienced
weapons of war. While labor dis-organized is
an innumerable mob, without order, leaders or
munitions of war. This is a dark picture,
brothers, but, nevertheless, a true one. Are
these statements not facts2 Brothers of the
Farmers Alliance, answer me! Will You not
see the folly OF standing aloof from the
Farmers Alliance organization, and make your
self an easy prey for the vultures of the OF,
ganized plutocrats to feast upon, and have him
draw his coil of interest around you, tighter
and tighter, until your home, your only shelter
under a foreclosure of mortgage, and you left
penniless and ~roofess in this world?
Oh! how long will you stare and listen to the
enemiess of the farmers cause, telling you of
better times ahead, only wait, work harder and
longer, eat less, when your wife is almost
naked and whose cheeks are furrowed with
sorrow and hard work, and your children cry
ing with hunger? How much longer will you
stand this state of affairs? You are bound to
see that in this nineteenth century no man is
safe outside of an organization of some charac-
ter, and the organization for the farmers is in
the Farmers Alliance, and why hesitate, when
it is for YOU protection?
By punching ourselves together in our or
ganiZation, we could defy any corporation; no
Organization of money could withstand your
power and influence. Two years ago the
Alliance was in a fiourishing condition and well
organized, and what test did you make of your
poWer2 The Bagging Trust backed up with
millions of dollars that attempted to extortion
upon you, crumbled to pieces, when you pro-
bounced your edict. The Louisiana State Lot
terry, the richest monopoly in the world, scring-
ed and died at your command. And when you
pronounced your decree, capital trembled.
This was organization and unity of action that
produced this power. Then brothers be true
to your. banner. Organize the Alliance, the
home Of the oppressed. Organize for self pro-
lection. Organize for the sake of your wife
and children. Organize for the benefit of your
country and save her from an impending re-
volutiOn. Then your demands shall be heard
your commands Obeyed in the Legislative halls
of the State and Nation, and your rights res
pected as an organized body of Alliance men
that has the power to dictate.
JOHN PICKETT,
President Farmers State Union.