The Louisiana populist., 1895-06-14
Circular Letter 10 the Farmers,
Alliance and Industrial
Union Of Louisiana.
Fraternal greeting !:

the selection of delegates we should
bear i'm mind, that our organiza-
ton while intensely political is unc-
quivocally non-partizan. There
fore, in chosing delegates to your
State Alliance, do not forget, that,
other things being equal, the above
qualifications are necessary to the
best representative of your order.
And, while we all may have our
party preferences, let us rcmem-
Der that when we enter an Alliance
lodge, or our State council, we
should leave our party-coat at
home. Our order is essentially op-
posed to the bitter antagonisms of
party, against which Washington
warned his countrymcn, and which
has been the prime cause of our
past National misfOrtunes and at
ilictions, and has laId the founda-
ton for probably greater troubles
in the future.
The coming meeting at Shrcve-
port is an important one, in view
of the political situation both State
and National. In National politics
the issue is well defined and in line
with the Ocala Demands on the
currency question. For years the
Alliance has been endcavOring to
push this question to the front, and
has borne all sorts of cOntumely
and harsh epithcts us the calamity
howlers," ''cranks, anarchists,
&C." At last we stand in the pres
ence of this great issue, and by
universal demand of the people it
must be settled. 1t has taken pre-
cedence of all other questions and
the people will not be contented
until il has been satisfactorily sOlv-
ed. In this great controversy the
Farmers Alliance have sown the
seed-thcy have germinated and
are bearing fruit and the harvest
must follow. Currency is the vi
taIizing principle of the body po-
litic, social and commercial, as
blood is the essential motor of the
physical being. A healthy condi-
ton in both, is necessary to pre-
vent stagnatiOn and death. Let
every Alliance member, therefore,
buckle on his armOr and prepare
for the battle of the giants, and as
you 90 into fight remember that
the ISSUE as well rs the BATTLE
FIELD are of your own choosing,
and the gage of battle is joined.
In state politics another ques-
ton scarce second in importance
awaits you. Shall your will as cx-
pressed by your vote deposited in
the ballot-bOx be given vitality in
legislation, or will you be satisfied
with the empty bauble of the fran
chise, while the vitalizing princi-
pie remains in the hands of the
corruptionist and the mOnied cor
poration! You must have "an
honest ballot and a fair count" in
fact as well as in name or your
ideal government ''of the people,
by the people and for the people"
is dclusion and n sham. To-day
you are deprived of your ballot
by FRAUD, tomorrow it will be by
FORCE. You must prevent both
or the very essence of free gov
will have escaped from
your grasp, and you will be verita-
bic slaves.
In the contest that is upon us,
both State and National the love of
should dominate the love
Of party. Let PRINCIPLE be your
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. POLICY to the
wind. In the disintregation of
parties to-day we have an object
lesson of the effects of party poll
~, which means party intrigue
hat has been the motor of their
lction. Let the love of home and
ireside take precedence over love
If spoils and pelf, and an advance
n the right direction will have
been made. A reform currency
md a reformed ballot are absolute
y necessary TO your prosperity
md freedom. Therefore, lay aside
'om- party trappings for the once
md 90 with your fellow citizens,
Who favor ballot-reform and cur
'ency reform hand in hand without
egard to party preferences or af-
iliations. These are the burning
ssNes at this time. Until your
'ote is counted, and returned, as
deposited, you will remain the vic
I'm of the corrupt politician and
he slave of the monied corpora
ion.
In conclusion let me ask of all
vhilom members and dormant AL
IN pcoc 10 crof fouofbar roorrro pszo