The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-09-11

titioning men for redress from Gne
great Injustice that is now being prac-
ticed so generally upon us, who were
pledged before they were nominated to
procure legislation that would be ad-
verse to the prosperity of the farmers.
How can we reasonably expect to
have our just rights accorded us when
it is estimated at the present time that
there are between elk and seven mil
lion votes cast by farmers, and they
have a farmer in Congress for every
1, 300, 600 farmers. Unity of action on
the part of the farmers g III self
preservation, for if the signs of the
times presage anything we are stand
ing nearer the verge Of an arrogant
landlord and i~listless tenantry system
than ever before in the history of this
country.
1t is folly for us to expect to improve
our condition by discussing at u fire
side, in the Alliance, farmers clubs
and institutes how we can increase our
crops, while we submit to other classes
directing the trend of legislation to
reap the profits of our labor. If we
would unite our ballots and cooperate
with the workers of every other calling
who are suffering from the despotism
of the different moneyed interests,
that have procured the power to not
only rob the present generation of the
wealth they produce, but who are
striving by every available e to
procure the proceeds of the toll OF
their posterity, we could by u united
action speedily free ourselves from the
many wrongs and expressions under
which we are now suffering, for then
the day of trusts, syndicates and other
aggressive monopolies would become
things of the past.
If we would unite our ballots we
could place whomsoever we might
choose in power in every State. More
than that we could elect a majority in
Congress and the President. Yet we
continue to be hoodwinked by partisan
politicians, and use our ballots to rivet
the chains on our own hands. While
we ought to keep an eye on our pro-
duction we must not forget that the
lawmakers need as much watching as
the crop in our fields.
We a only judge the future by the
past. When Egypt went down 8 per
cent. of her population owned 81 per
cent. of her wealth. When Baby Ion
went down 2 per cent. owned all her
wealth. When Persia went down l
per cent. owned the land. For the
past twenty years the United States
has rapidly followed in the footsteps
of those old nations. Unless there is a
change from our present condition the
farmers of this country are doomed to
serfdCm. The American Agricultural
Union will give us the much-needed
opportunity to unite our ballots to lift
the load of oppression under which we
are now suffering. 1t is very impor
tant that we should take action before
it is too late, for the independence that
our f~orefathers secured for us from En-
glish dictation is being rapidly taken
from us by the combined money powers
of English and American capitalists,
and unless we unite our ballots to re-
lease ourselves from their power, we
or our children will have to pass
through bloodsheds, hardships and
many p~rivations before we can sue
caed in the revolutionizing of our gov
eminent so that we will be able to Sc
cure our freedom. My brother farm,
ers, our fOrefather5 possessed the man
hood that caused them to revolt against
the slight taxation that was imposed
upon them. Where is our manhood
thatswe are willing to submit to the
various forms of oppressive taxation
that are now being levied upon us7
They procured their independence
with their muskets-we can procure
ours by uniting our ballots, and repeal
ing the legislation that has given the
, men who have taken it upon them
selves to be u masters, and compel
us to pay them such oppressive tribute
that we have nothing left of what we
produce to recompense US and our fami
} lies for labor. Why is it that we
neglect to use the great power that a
united ballot would give us to secure
our freed I'm from the great wrong and
> oppression that we are now suffering
under, and allow ourselves as the years
! pass by to be more and more reduced
: to the condition of serfs2 Let us
arouse ourselves from our lethargy
q and show BY actions that we have