The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-08-14

be with you" And yet the moment
you say my dear sir, show me wher,
ev,r the Alliance is in politics to any
greater extent than it was when it
formed its platform of principles and I
will acknowledge the truth of your
assertion" he becomes dumb; he has
no argument and can only say, "Oh
yes, but you are" Such assertions as
these is enough to disgust any thinking
man, and I am quite sure if this class
of men would for one moment think
over the matter they would see the
utter senselessness of the remark.
If to refuse to be led, as "dumb,
driven cattle" into following an organi-
cation whose every act is antagonistic
to our demands is the cause of the Oft
repeated assertion, "Oh, you have gone
into politics" there is some truth in the
assertion.
On the other hand, if our demands
are essentially the same as when, in
North Carolina, nearly every Alliance
man affiliated with the Democratic
party, then the query forces itself on
the mind of a reasonable man, why is
it, with essentially the same platform,
we r any nor in politics than we
were when we all affiliated with the
Democratic party9 Does not this cry
come from men whose love for party
name is greater than their love for AL
lance principles9
If to resolve to vote for certain prin-
ciples carries us ''into politics." then
indeed we were just as deeply in poll
tics when Gov. Carr, as President of
the State Alliance, in his address at
Asheville recommended that we vote
for men who stood gquarely on u de-
mands, and none other. We were all
Democrats then, but the beauty of the
thing was, we hadn't gone into poll
tics. Oh no! We were strictly non
partisan and all voting the Democratic
ticket.
Now a few words to those who
taught that the Alliance was a good
thing 'before it went into politics."
and I appeal especially to farmers.
Take demands, as adopted at St.
Louis and Ocala, read them i've care
fully, consider them from the stand
point of a patriot, of a Democrat in the
true sense of the word. Remember
that the Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union is the only organization
battling for the rights of farmers.
That all other classes are grasping at
the almighty dollar, regardless of the
rights Of the masses. Remember that
20 years ago a bushel of wheat would
buy 81 so, and that to day one bushel
of wheat will buy only Is cents. That
20 years ago seven pounds of cotton
would buy 81; to day it takes fourteen.
These. are facts which you realize.
This condition has been brought about
by laws antagonistic to the demands of
the Alliance.
We believe that these demands, if
enacted into law, would bring conf
dence, peace and prosperity to our Ian
gushing country. In order to get
them the law of the land, weneed your
help, for he who is not for us is
against u.s." Come and help us in this
great struggle of the people against
p~lutocracy. Help US to use our in
fuence on the side of right and truth
and justice. Help us to exert such an
influence that we shall be a terror to
evil doors everywhere.
This is the mission of the Alliance
and we believe the Lord of hosts is
with us-the God of Jacob is our
refuge" HOWARD F. JONES,
THINKS SOME OF US TOO HARSH.
Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.