The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-04-17
is THIS AMERICA9
In the Days of Jefferson, Calhoun and
Jackson We Had a Government
for and by the People

IN the Days Of Jefferson, Calhoun and
Jackson We Had Government
for and by the People,
SAINT LEWIS, N. G.
Mr.. EDTToR:-I again ask the ques-
ton is this America; if so is it gov
erned by and for American peopleQ 1t
has been government of, by and for
the people. But that was in the days
OF Jefferson, Calhoun and jackson, and
then the people could realize the true
spirit of charity, manhood and patriot
ism from the people to the government
and from the government in return to
the people; but in this day a so called
government by the poll-holders for
Great Britain and a favored few of
America, charity, manhood and patri-
otlsm seems to be blotted out from the
people to the government, or from the
government in return to the people;
and 1t is under these conditions that l
am moved by spirit of charity, the
love Of country and in the name of JUS
tice to myself and suffering humanity
OF America, to make the following
statement in regard to my views,
drawn from present conditions, caused
by partisan, sectarian and classified
legislation:
Mr.. E1itor, I was born and raised a
Democrat and consequently I have
been Democrat all my life, and it is
as surprising as it is grievous to me to
have to say to day that have as much
confidence in one of the old political
parties, nationally speaking, as have
in the other Why's Because the Re
publican policy of government has
been and is to-day to gradually rob the
masses for the good Of the classes; and
according to Cleveland's policy and the
acts of Congress and confirmed by Car
isles interviews and speeches before
other cities, it begins to look like the
Democratic policy is to take snap
judgment like unto Great Britain in
1916 when by one aet Of legislation she
reduced her real estate holders from
one hundred and sixty thousand to
that of thirty thousand and within the
period of nine years, and at the same
time by said act set up the greatest
pauper mill to turn out pauper labor
and tramps known to any country of
civilization. Is 1t possible that the peo-
pie of this country have got to be en-
grated back to subserve the great
crowned head of that country again
by bulheaded financial cranks in the
name of statesmen3 1t really begins
forced me, not by choice but by com
mon reason, to believe that the neces.
sary reform to return prosperity and
happiness to the farmer and labOrer of
this country again, financially speak
ing, depends en5irely on the success of
the Populist movement, which, of
course, forces me to feel a great inter
est in the plans and methods which
may be adopted to go to battle with
these two great joint monopoly parties
of Great Britain and this country and
in going to battle with these great joint
powers the leaders of the Populist
party cannot be too careful in survey
ing the ground and adopting the plans
and methods to meet them. would
say first place the Populist party on it's
own merits with simple and pure
platform of principles, excluding all
gigantic planks such as cannot be
handled we'll to bring their true mean
ing within the comprehension of the
common people of the country, for
such will only enrage the enemy and
weaken the forces of the Populist
movement, and don't think it wise to
make any concessions whatever with
either of the two old parties.
The above is my views and position
after long deliberation of thought and
applying my best Judgment as to what
is best for myself, family and the class
which am a part and represent.
J. l. LEWIS.