The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-09-30
Farmers Alliance.

Hon. John Pickett has ISSUED
the following circular letter adj
dress to the members of the Far
mers Alliance of Louisiana:
! appeal to you, brothers of the
Farmers Alliance, to stand by your
colors. Organize under the banner
of the Ocala demands. Reorganize
your defunct sub-unions, reinstate
your parish union with the State
union. The farmers are the only
class of people who are not thor.
oughly organized, even for self.
protection, to say nothing of the
commercial advantages derived
therefrom.
The bankers, merchants, rail.
roads, and all commercial bodies
are allied and thoroughly organic
ed to cent. Labor Is demoraliz-
ed without any organization what
ever.
What will be the result of this
disorganization of the agricultur-
list? Capital, with its perfect Or
ganization, is Like an army of regu-
lar soldiers, thoroughly equipped
with experienced officers and arm
ed with the latest improved weap-
ons of war. While labor disorgan-
lied is an innumerable mob, with
out order, leaders or munitions of
war. This is dark picture, broth
ers, but nevertheless q true one.
Are these statements not facts?
Brothers of the Farmers Alliance
answer me! Will you not see the
folly of standing aloof from the
Farmers Alliance organization,
and make yourself an easy prey
for the vultures of the organized
plutocrats to feast upon, and have
him draw his coil interest around
you tighter and tighter, until your
home, your only shelter for your
wife and innocent children, is TAX
en- under a foreclosure of mortgage,
and you left penniless and roofess
in this world?
Oh, how long will you stare and
listen to the enemies of the far
mers' cause telling you Of better
times ahead, only wait, work hard
er and longer, eat less, when your
wife is almost naked and whose
checks are furrowed with sorrow
and hard work, and your children
crying with hunger9 How much
longer will you stand this state of
affairs? You are bound too see
that in this nineteenth century no
man is safe outside of ON organiza-
ton of some character, and the or
ganization for the farmers is in the
Farmers Alliance, and why hest
tate, when it is for your protection.
By punching ourselves together
in our organization, we could defy
any corporation; no organization
of money conld Withstand your
power and influence. Two years
ago the Alliance was in flourishing
condition and we'll organized, and
what test did you make of your
power? The Bagging Trust, back
ed with millions of dollars, that
attended extortion upon you,
crumpled to pieces when you pro-
nounced your edict. The LOUISE
ana State Lottery, the richest mon
opoly in the world, cringed and
died at your command. And whom
you pronounced your decree, capi-
tai trembled. This was organize
ton and unity of action that pro-
dnced this power. Then brothers,
be true to your banner. Organize
the Alliance, the home of the OPP
pressed. Organize for self protec-
tion. Organize for the benefit of
your country and save her from an
impending revolution. Then your
demands shall be heard; your
rights respected as an organized
body of Alliance men that has the
power to dictate.
john PICKETT.
President Farmers State Union.