The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-12-19
POOR RICHARD.
Harry Hinton Writes of the Past, Pres
ent and Future.


days of our history as a country every
man, in opening up the New World,
and in making it land fit for civilized
man, went through the same trials,
hardships and danger which produced
brotherly sympathy, and where all
were comparatively poor, Richard was
a rich man.
When the war for freedom was
fought through seven long years, every
patriot who espoused the cause of the
colonies did so as equals, and the
naughty and corrupting power of
money had not made such distinction
as Co be rich and worthy or be poor
and insignificant; Richard then was a
rich man.
When for years, and many long
years, the nations life had been, some
became rich and richer and others be
came poor and poorer; the self assumed
and the self asserted superiority of the
richer overshadowed the humble pre-
tentlons of the poorer and Richard be-
came a poor man.
When money, with its opportunities
for Improvement in manners and
kno s1edge, and was made prouder and
prOuGer as the obeisance of the poorer
was easily gained, it took possession of
the country and the country's laws
for which the poorer, as brothers, had
shed their blood and Richard was a
elavish man.
When parties were formed and issues
drawn, both the parties and the issues
TO please the more influential and the
richer, the poor had nothing to do but
vote, and it matters not how he voted
Richard was a deceived man.
When the man of money thinks his
property entities him by divine right
to a voice in the framing of laws there
for, and having all the power that
wealth and influence can give he frames
the Laws for his own interest, and then
poor Richard becomes a robbed man.
When wealth gives social distinction
and social distinction power, the richer
violates those criminal laws which are
only applicable to the weak and friend
less poor, the richer take the place of
tyrants and poor Richard is low bred
and base man.
1t is a notable thing how things have
changed since first our forefathers
built our republic. Then we had
patriots, now demagogues; then states
NEE, now hypocrites; then freemen,
now slaves; and poor Richard, who
was once as rich, as manly and as free
as the proudest peer of the land in po
liCical Importance, now crouches as a
tool at the foot of party power which
is only another name for the money
power which is the tyranny of Nam
mon, which is the power of the devil
If Richard was only poor in this
worlds goods, we would stop here and
say no more. All were poor, compare
lively speaking, when for seven long
and weary years they established one
freedom and all were rich. But Rich
ard is not only poor, but he is despised,
he is betrayed and rob bbed. Stop, now,
you proud political deceivers; you who
labor for Office, for promotion and the
smiles Of the strong and influential,
remember you are seeking employ
ment in behalf of tyranny and oppres
sion. Shed no more tears from the
sacred desk in behalf of the poor and
oppre~ sed; utter no more prayers for
the down-trodden of other climes. Oh,
ye divines, if you cannot proclaim
loudly proclaim against the tyranny
and oppression of Mammon among
your own neighbors. Go preach for
riches. I had rather be dog and bay
at the moon than to forfeit my convic-
tions of right and truth and worship
at the shrine Of the pocket of wealth.
1 had rather be a heather and worship
wooden gods than to see the poor,
down trodden through corruption in
the administration of law, and be
afraid of wealth and keep my mouth
shut. Go to now; what are you aboutG
You say you don't understand these
things All ha! John the Baptist lost
his head meddling in politics. What
are you afraid of losing9 Party politics
is so low and vile it would be debasing
to dabble in it. What debasing and
corrupting-far more so than dancing,
lying and cheating-seems fit subject
for condemnation. We tell the office
seekers and the divines they cannot
wink at this condition of our common
country and remain innocent. They
cannot neglect Gods heritage of the
poor and escape the wrath of an indig-
nanE people and perhaps just God.