The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-08-14
LETTER FROM ELM GROVE.
Educate the Farmer

a 0N VIVA
s1vE FARMER for several years and
have enjoyed it very much. l think
II ia a great educator and that we, as
Alliancemen, should not be without it.
I belong to Elm Grove Alliance, the
banner Sub in the county, and the
most of us read your paper. Show me
a man who reads The PROGRESSIVE
FARMER and I will show you a good
Allianceman, with a few exceptions.
Some say that the Alliance was a good
thing until it went into politics. AS to
educating the farmer and keeping him
out of politics, that won't work, be-
cause that love of liberty which in
spires the average man to seek to re-
lieve himself of the unjust legislation
that English capital has fastened upon
him by its influence upon u national
legislators, causing the demonetiz alton
of silver, as we'll as other bad laws,
which has robbed .,us of many of our
hard earnings in many ways. We are
bound to seek redress of our grievances
at the ballot-box, as was intended by
our forefathers. Therefore I would say
go on. brethren, with the good work of
educating our people.
We all know that the Alliance is not
a political party, but its main work is
to educate, and it is natural for us
Garmers) to demand our rights as any
other class; and when our merchants,
manufacturers and often professional
men realize that such legislation as
will cause farmers to prosper will like
wise cause them to prosper, then it will
be that we will vote together as a unit
for honest government and a free bal
lot and a fair count" Then we may
recapture the flag of true Democracy
of our f~orefathers, which was taken
from us by plutocracy. The goldbugs
are in the saddle and they must be
driven out or we will have to surren-
der. Our country is comparatively in
a critical condition. The money power
has placed us in this condition. Shall
we surrender to them9 To surrender
will only bind the chains tighter on us.
Shall we surrender or shall we throw
off our party collars and go to the
ballot-box as a unit and vote for Katie
and the babies2
The men who represent as in Con
gress stumped the whole Union before
the last election, telling the people for
Gods sake to give them (the Demo,
crats) another chance only one more
and they would show the dear people
what they could do for them. What
have they done2 The condition of our
country will show what they have
done. Since the davs of reconstruction
times have been so dull as they
are now. Thousands of people are out
of employment, business failures occur
ing every day in the year 1 can't see
how they (the Democrats) can have the
cheek to come before the people this
fall and two years hence and say to the
people, give us one more chance. But
they will come and make their pleas.
Will the people listen to them again9
If we do we must not expect better
times, for the good book says we should
judge a tree by its fruits, and the Dem
ocratic platform declares for silver,
tariff reform and many others straddle
reforms. But have they the Congress
men) done their duty7 1t appears that
Wall street controls them and that we
will get none of the reforms promised,
although they have such a splendid
chance. We can't expect anything
from them, so let us each and every
one go to the ballot box this fall and
two years hence and vote for men of
principle rather than party.
Now in conclusion, let every member
of the Alliance be up and doing and
educate our people, and there is no bet
ter way to educate them than to put
THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER or some
other good reform paper in their
homes. Let every subscriber try to
get a new one and that will double the
subscription list. This is a grand and
noble work for each and every one to
do. So go on, brethren, with the good
work of educating.
Fraternally,
J. A. HOLsHOUsER.
WARREN COUNTY ALLIANCE.