The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-03-09


questions of present importance. to also
briefly refer to the existence of certain condi-
tiOns and tendencies among Cur people which
seem to menace the integrity and usefulness
Of their government. While every American
citizen must contemplate with the utmost
pride and enthusa s,n the growth an! expan-
sion OF Gnr country. the sntficiency OF our 1n-
stitutions to stand against the rudcst shocks
of violence the wonderful thrift and enter,
prise Of our people. and the demonstrated
superiority of our free government, il te-
hooves us to constantly watch for every
our national vigor The strong man who. in
tho confidence of sturdy health, courts the
stetnest activities of lite and reJolces in the
hardh0od Of constant labor. may stfli have
lurking near his vitals the uuhcedch disease
that doOms him to sudden collapse. 1t cannot
be doubted that our stnpendons achievementfs
have given rise TO a heefle ssncss Of those laws
governing our national health. which we IAN
no more evade than human litc can escape tAe
laws Of God and nat ure.
Tackles the Money Question.
Manifest1y nothing is more vital to our SUI
premacy a nation and 10 the benefcent pnr-
poses Of our government than sound and
stable currency. Its exposure To degradation
should at once arouse to activity the most en-
lightened statesmanslip: aud the danger OF de-
probation in the purchas ing power of the wa4es
paid to toll should furnish the strongest in
cc.tive to prompt and conservative action.
In dealing with our present embarrassing sit
uation, as related 20 this subject, we VIII ne
wise IL temper confluence and faith IN
our national strength and resources with the
frank concession that even these will not per-
nit us to defy with inpunity the inexorable
in our efforts TO adjust differences of opinion
should be free from Intolerance or passion
and our judgr. .ents should be u!lmoyed by al
Turing phrases and unvcxed by selfish inter
ests. ] am confident that such an approach to
the subject will result in prudent and effective
remedial legislation. In the meantime SO far
the executive brancl; of the government can
intervene, none OF the powers with which II is
invested will be withheld when their exercise
G deemed D
credit avert financial disaster.
Concerning the Tariff
Closely related to the exaggerated confidence
in our country s greatness, which tends to dis
danger confronts Us not less serious. refer to
the prevalence Of popular disposition to eX-
pect from operation of the government especial
and direct individual advantages. The verdict
of our voters. which condemned the in Justice
of maintaining protection for projections
sake. enjoins upon the peoples servants the
duty of exposing and destroying the brood of
, kindred evils which are the UIwlolesome prog
eny Of paternalism. This is the bane Of re-
publican institutions and the constant peril OF
our government by the people. 1t degrades to
the purposes of willy craft the plan of rule our
fathers established and bcqueathed to us
as an object of our love and veneration. 1T
perverts the patriotic sentiment of our coun-
trymen and tempts them to a pitlfnl calcula-
tion of the sordid gain TO be derived from their
self-reliance of our people and substitutes in
its place dependence upon government favor
lt1Sm III StlHeS tne sHlfH cI true -1IleIiCdi-
ism and stupeties every ennobling trait of
The lessons Of paternalsm ought to he un
| learned and the better lesson taught that,
while the people should ratrioticaly and
| cheerfuily support their government. its func-
| tions do not include the support of the peo-
| pie:
The acceptance of this principle leads to IA
refusal of bounties aud sui sidits which bur-
sfh to aaHi ad OF
| terprises in which they have no concern. 1t
| leads also TO challenge OF Wild and reckless
pension expenditure which oyerleaps the
bounds of grateful recognition Of patriotic ser
vice and prostitutes to vicious uses the
peoples prompt and generous impulse to
! aid those disabled in their country's defense.
| stands by Civil Service Reform.
| One mode of the misaprropriation of public
| funds il avoided when appointments to office.
/ instead of being the rewards of partisan activ-
! ises fair return of work for the compensation
! paid to them. TO secure the fitness and COM
Ietencs Of aIrolntee. to Office and to remove
| for spoils, civil service reform has found
place in our public policy and laws. The ten
| efits already gained through this instrument
| tality and the further usefulness it promises
entitle 1t to the hearty support and encourage
/ mcnt OF all who desire to see our public serv-
| ice well performed OF who hope for the eleva-
tion of political sentiment and the purifca-
| tion of political methods.
The existence Of immense aggrecations OF
! kindred enterprises and combinations of busi-
, ness interests formed for the purpose of limit
ing production and fixing prices. is Inconsistent
! with the fair field which ought to be open to
every independent activity Legitimate strife
in business should not be superseded by an
enforced concession to the demands of combi-
should the people to he served lose the benefit
| of cheapness which usually results from whole
some competition. These aeeregations and
acies against the interests OF the people. and in
| all their phases the: are unnatural and OPP
| posed to our American sense of fairness To
ha oyfa reached
| strained by federal power, the general govern
ment should relieve our citizens from their
| interference and eXactlCns.
Forbcarance with Indians.
Our relations with the Indians located with
in our borders impose upon us responsibilities
| we cannot escape. Humanity and consistency
require us to treat them with all forbearance.
| and in our dealings with them to honestly and
considerably regard their rights and interests.
Every effort should be made to lead them,
| through the paths of Utilization and education.
| to self-supporting and independent citizenship.
| In the meantime. the nations wards, they
should be promptly defended against the Gu
pidity OF designing men and shielded from ey-
advancement.
The people of the United States have decreed
ment in its legislative and executive branches
shall be given to a political party pledged In
the most positive terms to the accomplish
ment of tariff reform. They have thus deter
mined in favor Of more just and equitable
system OF Federal taxation. The agents they
bound @ % BY their RI promises T not less than by the
| command Of their masters to devote them
selves unremittinely to this service.
| While there should be no surrender OF princi-
pie our task must be undertaken wisely and
| without vindictiveness. Our mission is not
the II life Of
people we reduce inordinate and unequal al
vantages too long enjoyed this is but neccs'
sary incident OF our return to right and justice
Must Redeem Pledges.
Anxiety for the redemption of the pledges
which my party has made and solicitude fol
the complete justification of the trust the
| people have reposed in US constrain me to re
mind those with whom l am to cooperate that
been M especially set before us only by tn.
most sincere, harmonious and distnterestet
effort. Even il insuperablc obstacles and op
position prevent the contamination of our fasl
we shall hardly be excused and if failure car
be traced to our fault neglect we may b,
sure the people will hold us to swift and ex
acting accountability.
The oath now take to preserve. protect ant
defend the constitution of the United states
not only impressively defines the great respon
sibility l assume. but suggests obedience t,
constitutional commands as the rule by whici
my official conduct must be guided: l shal
to the best Of my ability and within m.
sphere OF duty preserve the constitution b!
loyalty protecting every grant of federal powe
attacked by impatience and restlessness, ant
by enforcing it's limitations and reservation
in favor Of the States and the people: Full!
| lmptcSscu Will tuC VI eAe sAs
confront me, mindful Of my weakness, shonl'
be appalled, II it were my lot to bear unatdet
the responsibilities which await me. ! am
however, saved from disbursement when
remember that shall have the support an
| the counsel and cooperation Of wise an
patriotic men who will stand at my side Il
cabinet places or will represent the people Il
| their legislative halls l find also much com
fort in remembering that my countryme
are just and generous, and in the af
surance that they will not condemn thos
who by sincere devotion to their service de
serve their forbearance and approval. Abov
| all, know there is q Supreme Being who rule
! the affairs of men, and whose goodness an
/ mercy have always followed the America