The Forrest City times., 1894-05-04
Coxey,s Protest.

hat
 Coxey's Protest.
 WASHINGTON, May 2.-The protest which Coxey vainly endeavored to read from the capitol steps was as follows:
 Inc constitution of the United States guar antees to all citizens the right to peacefully assemble and petition for redress of griev- snces, and. furthermore declares that the right of free speech shall not be abridged.
 We stand here to-day to test these guaran- antees of our constitution We choose this place of assemblage hetause it is the property of the people and if it be true that the right of the people to peacefully assemble upon their own premises with their petitions has been abridged by the passage of laws in direct vio- lation of tn } constitution, we are here to draw the eyes Of the nation to this shameful fact.
 Here, rather than at any spot upon the con. tinent it is fitting that we should come to mourn over our dead liberties and by our pro- test arouse the imperiled nation to such action ss shall rescue the constitution and resurrect our liberty. Upon these steps where we stand has been spread a carpet for the royal feet of . foreign princess, the cost of whose lavish en- tertainment was taken from the public treas. ury without the consent or approval of the people. Upon these steps the lobbyists of trusts and corporations have passed unchal- lenged on their way to committee rooms to which we, the representatives of the toiling wealth-p h-producers, have been denied.
 We stand here today in behalf of millions of toilers whose petitions have been buried in committee rooms. whose prayers have been un- responded to. and whose opportunities for honest. remunerative, productive labor have been taken from them by unjust legislation, which protects idlers, spectators and gam blers. We come to remind congress here as. sembled of the declarations of United States senator that for a quarter of a century the rich have been growing richer, the poor poorer, and that by the close of the present century the middle class will have disap- peared. as the struggle for existence becomes fierce md relentless
 We stand here to remind congress of it's promise of returning prosperity should the Sherman act be repealed.
 We stand here to declare by our march of over 800 miles through difficulties and distress, . march unst lined by even the slightest act which will bring the blush of shame to any that we are lawabiding citizens. and as such our actions speak louder than words. We are here to petition for legislation which will fur nish- employment for every man able and will ifng 70 work for legislation which will bring universal prosperity and emancipate our be- loved countrys from financial bondage to the descendants of King George.
 We have come to the only ,ource which is oompesezs so aid the people in their day of dire distress We are here to tell our repre- sentives who hold their seats by grace of our ballots, that the struggle for existence has be- come too fierce and relentless. We come and throw up our defenseless hands and say Help or we and our loved ones must perish"
 We are engaged in bitter and cruel war with the enemies of all manknd: war with hunger wretchedness and despair, and we ask eOagress to heed our petitions and issue for the nations good sufficient volume of the same ssand os money which carried the country through one awful war and saved the life of the nation.
 In the name of Jesus Christ through whose Impartial administration only the present civilization can be maintained and perpetu- ated; by the powers of the constitution of our country upon which the liberties of the people must depend. and in the name Of the Common veal of Christ. whose representatives we are. ve enter most solemn and earnest protest against this unnecessary and cruel act of usurpation and tyranny. and this enforced sub 5ugation of the rights and privileges of Amer ican citizenship.
 We have assembled here, in violation of no just law. to enjoy the privileges of every Amer. lean citizen.
 waare under the shadow of the capitol of shis great nation, and in the presence of our national legislators are refused that dearly Bought privilege, and by the force of arbi. srary power prevented from carrying out the desire our hearts. which is plainly granted under the great magma charta or our national liberties.
 We have come here through toll and weary marches. through storms and tempest. over noun sains and amid the trials of poverty and distress to lay our grievances at the doors of our national legislators and ask them in she name of Him whose banners we bear in the name of Him who pleads for the poor and the sppresse [. that they should heed the voice of despair and distress that is now coming up from every section Of our country: that they should consider the condition of the starving unemployed of our land and enact such laws as will give them employment. bring happier con ditions to, the people and the smile of content ment to our citizens.
 Coming ns.w do, with pea,e and good will 10 men we shall have to submit to these laws, unjust as they are. and obey this mandate Of authority of might which overrides and out rages the law Of right In doing so we appeal to every peace-loving citizen, every liberty Iovna man woman. every one in whose breast the fires of patriotism and love of country has not died out, to assis; us in our efforts toward better laws and general bene fits
 Signed J. S- CoxEY.
 Commander of the commonweal of Christ.