The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-03-29
A SERMON ON REFORM
POPULiST PRESS MUST GET
DOWN TO GOSPEL.
The InaIienabie Rights vOuchsafsd by
the Constitution, and the Sanctity Of the
Home. Calls For Preacher, and Teach
Push the Industrial Legion.
Truth In the Text.

1t is time for the reform press and
speakers u get down to gospel. The
dark ages have returned and second
reformation is needed. The inaliena-
bic rights vouchsa:ed by the COnstitu-
ton, the sanctity Of the home, and
tie preservation Of honor calls, as the
voice Of duty, for preachers and teach
ers. Then let every reformer be heard
proclaiming the truth, and like one
CRYING in the wilderness, calling upon
the people to repent.
Our text will be found in Amos, Sth
and 9th and is as follows: That We
may buy the poor for value, and the
needy for pair Of shoes.
That was tho condition Of the Jews
of olden times, forced upon the people
of that day. Why does the money
people of the present day be III a SINH
lar condition OF poverty? THAT we
may buy the poor for value, and the
needy for II pair of shoes.
When the political campaign opens,
and the combines, railroads, bankers,
and other moneyed interests, desire
the election of candidates favorable to
thor system of robbing the masses,
they can easily accomplish their de-
aires, because the people arc in con
dition that I'VE may buy the poor for
value and the needy for Il pair OF
shoes"
After these representatives OF plu-
tOcracy are elected to the Legislature
or Congress, they Of course favor the
interests of these corporations and
combines, and il the people are in
clincd to OBJ cct, their silence is readily
secured, because I'VE may buy the poor
for value, and the needy for pair OF
SHOES.
If the rol,lbugs want money scarce,
in order to make produce and labor
cheap, and tho value of money dear.
they elect president favorable to their
cause. who appoints cabinet OF the
same material. and ii there are any
friends OF the people in Congress they
are uuictcd by threats of Withholding
presidential patronage and influence,
or by promises of offices Of position and
favor. Gold is powerful and enables
the money power to Buy the poor for
value, and the needy for pair of
Shoes
If National Banks need an issue OF
Government bonds, RS the basis for
their future existence and plundering
of the people, they create panic and
close down factories. throw labor ont
of employment, and send poverty
broadcast and I'LL the land with
trnmps. This cuts off consumption.
reduces the prices Of produce, caused
by the lack o: money, and if the peo-
pie protest against such criminal ont
RACES, they are easily silenced, because
I'VE may buy the poor for value, and
the needy for pair of shoes"
The masses may assemble and enter
their protests by resolutions. demand
ing that their representatives in Con-
people, protect them against the
appeals are unhcard. The Represent
ntiyes have forgotten their duty to
their constituents. if they were ever
devoted to them, and continue to leg
islate in the interests of plutocracy,
thinking, perhaps, that when they
again appear before the people for
their suffrage, owing to the universal
poverty prevailing. they will be en-
abled to secure their election by cor
rup: means. for: I'VE may buy the
poor for value, and the needy for Il
pair OF shoes
This fall comes the election for Con
Ere~smen. The money power now
rohhing tho people through vicious
laws and false economic systems will
be on trial. 1t will attempt ~ secure
majority of the next Congress. II
makes no difference to this goldbuc
monster which one of the two old par
ties receives the majority. Money viii
be literally used in the campaign, i
necessary. to defeat the Peoples par
~. They we'll know that tho masse:
are SO poor that they will yield t.
money temptations. sell their SUI
frage. barter their honor, for wan
will man not do when weighed. dow I
bv poverty and the demon OF wha
stands on the threshold? Such n con
dition is utterly degrading and moral
iZing. tending to destroy truth. honor
manhood and enable corrup'ions &
Weld the power. Tor they can: Blu,
the poor tor value. and the needy 10
apar of shoes.'
The present is time when tn,
masses should take \ stand on tn,
plane Of honor. and defy these cor
ruptlonists and purchasers Of huma,
honor. When these evil doors temp
the people to sell their suffrage, the.
should be rehuked and told to "Ge
behind me. SATIN" They are tn
authors of corruption, the father Q
lies. and should they promise Who'll
world they could not be believed
Surely this money power has SO re
reate,ily violated ITS obligation. Re
puiia.ei it's trusts. and lied TO the pee
pie. that it should not be believed il
the future, regardless of what promise
it may make LIE. the sun Of trut
shine. Demand that the day o; homo
shall dawn, and proclaim by your indie
pen..ence and patriotism. devotio
TO the inheritance received from tn
the patriotic ancestry. that the day