The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-06-21

The Militia Menace to Liberty.
Here Is picture for you! American
soldiers assisting in the reduction OF
American wages by guarding mines
owned and operated by foreign capital
while cheap foreign labor is intro.
duced and few English barons Gil
their Golfers will, American gold. On
the other hand an American citizen
who dared to ask for relief for the
whole people is handcuffed and cast
IN prison. Where is the constitution
that guarantees us equal rights
Where is the flag that waves for all.
We are at the mercy of despotism
created by US, its emmissaries cross
bayonets over our path to-day and its
detectives skulk behind our back.
Who authorized this condition Of
things in free country? Our repre-
sentatiyes! Who made the represen-
t'ves? We the people!
"What fools we mortals be-" the
working people of this country pay the
lions share toward the support OF the
National Guard, the National Guard is
an institution patterned after Euro
pen pOwers-a source from which
we latter day Americans seem to draw
most OF our inspiration. 1t is a lelic
of barbarism growing out of old feudal
system and there is no excuse for its
existence in free republic. The orig
inal intention of the National Guards
was TO have force of trained and
men ready for action in cas-
OF foreign invasion; a thing which
may possibly happen a hundred
years hence, il the world does
not advance beyond the age of war.
But there is nothing in our past history
to warrent even this prccaution. The
patriotism of Americans is conspic-
uous and the malntainence of an
armed force in time of peace is an
insult to every citizen.
"How are the mighty fallen!" This
is how it works. Here IS an army of
young Americans in the field. Their
white tents stand out in bold relief
against the black ground of green
trees and grass. The bright rays Of
the summer sun giving life and light
to the scene, even resting on the
murderOus guns, as If to say, the
bOunties Of nature are free to all;
no individual has right to appro-
pirate them to himself But where
is the enemy? In yonder glen. rest
ing on their rude implements of war
Is another band of Americans, rough
and uncouth, with grim, determined
faces, making last Intellectual
stand for life, liberty and indepcnd-
cnce. They are striving for bread.
for the bare necessities Of life for
themselves, their helpless wives and
innocent children. And God help US.
their fellow countrymen are arrayed
in arms agains: them.
What has brought about this desper-
atc state OF affair? Let US see: We
the sovereign people, the source OF
all power elect representatives. to exc
cute our behest for common veal.
So far these representatives have not
been above the reach OF Gold. This
face makes a flowery path for the
capitalist, who represents to congress
that the laborer wants the earth and
unless he gets it the life and property
Of all citizens are in danger. Con.
gress at once authorizes standing
army to protect whom? The Op.
orators of factories and mines, in
other worlds capital. No one else
asks for protection, no one else needs
it. And why should this class OF
citizers need protection? Because
they are the aggressors. Because
they have sought to find the limit Of
human endurance by series OF petty
expressions, not the least Of which
is to see how near they can brin,
their victims to the brink of starvation
without protest Wages have beer
reduced to the last possible notch
men elected from tile homes the.