The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1894-09-22
AN OPEN LETTER.
From Hon. .John Pickett, dx-president
State Farmers Alliance, to Judge
A. "A. Gunby and g. ID. Hicks,
Esq, editors Monroe Bulletin and
The Progress, Shreveport.

BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. II, 1884,
The political policy ad
hered to for the past fifteen years in
Louisiana has been intensely partizan,
so much 50 that the constitutional
rights of the people in exercising their
prerogative rs electors have been Sc
rously impaired. In my opinion the
time has come for the press o. the
State to take cognizance of this fact,
and without regard to political parties
or faction, should begin the work of
enlightening the people and educating
them upon their constitutional rights
as American citizens.
Oar need in Louisiana at the pres
cnt time is to have q bold and indie
pendent press, with broad and conserv-
alive views regarding the rights OF
the common people. We need states
men who are honest, and who are not
afraid to geopardize their chances Of
temporary success by outspoken, manly
defense of the correct principles of
government, aud unfold the truths to
the people as they really exist, and not
to use them as party machines to main
tain party fealty and party discipline.
u course now practiced by party
leaders.
It is becoming a serious fact, that
patriotism and love of free government
is fast loosing its hold upon lhe hearts
OF the great mass of common people,
and instead of feeling that loyalty that
existed with the people from the ex'
istence of this government down tt
1878, q spirit of restlessness, discon
tent and disappointment pervades. The
memorable season of trampism, strikes
and riots that our country has JUS
emerged from is conclusive evidence tt
the mind of the reform thinker" tina
the temper of uhe people has beef
tested to its utmost tention, by thu
continuous oppression of capital upo
| the labor classes of this country. l
is now self-eyident fact, that pecuu
larry relief, which is employment TO
these millions of unemployed, mus
come and come quickly, to proven
revolution and blOodshed. The polit
clan may wag his head with derlslo
at such suggestion, but nevertheless
, it is coming.
t President Cleveland may succeed
Y puiling the restless spirit of the pcopl
: bv the aid OF his army and the bayon'
J.. for a time, but when this feeling of oI
preston and the execution OF unjuS
= laws ripcn into rebellion, and gener
uprising of an outraged people ov'
this entire continent occurs 1t won
e find the commanding chief without
9 army and hegovernment powerless
ii resist the power of an Infatuated pop
!. lace.
i; Will the press of Louisiana stand
q defense of the rights OF the iaborll
l. masses, and mould public sentiment
n. dealing Justly and honestly towal'
them? Will the. press inaugurate
:, system OF political reform by viii
these people can freely express thu
- will at the ballot box without bel
~ robbed of their franchise? The peol
ask for no special privileges: they OF
ask for equal justice, and be plac
upon an equal footing with the favor
classes of the country. They have
o mandcd change in the methods
dispensing justice to all the peoI
IT'S Therefore they have failed to reca
mt recognition from the hands OF tn
Lawmakers Now redress must co
!. from some quarter, and the only v
: bic means that present itself is to
cent and advocate platform OF refo
principles based upon non-partlzanl'
This will guarantee to the people IN
10. right of dictation. No change OF pa
names or party principles Is requl
to stand upon this Farmers Allla
platform, but reform governm
m dealing out justice to all Is guarant
M by its adoption and unity OF action
the ballot box in electing men to OF
- representing the voice Of the peoI
This will successfully heal the poiit
o"' breach that now exist with the WI
NO people of the State. There are
nv partizan political parties In this St'
Democratic and Peoples parties, D
W. claiming by their platform OF pri
'er- Piles to represent Simon.pure De-
craft 10 doctrine. Low can this Deu
~. ;racv lRAsutiiixefl for good In Securis