The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-04-30
THE LEGISLATURE, CONGRESS
AND The ALLIANCE.

VI =
perhaps, have some space for a little
correspondence.
think we should congratulate our
last legislature for the good work done.
With a few exceptions, I do not think
the old capitol at Raleigh has, since the
late wal, seated a set of men that has
heen Sd ready 10 remember the poor,
which the Apostle Paul was also fore
warned to do. BLESSED is he that con-
sidereth the poor"
But when We turn to Congress we
are lead to say that we are of the opin
ion that if old Harry" does not get
same of them he certainly must not
be watching his chances. Excuse me
Mr.. Editor, the Good Book says, Judge
not, =" but also says, by their fruit ye
shall know them" and, He that con-
sidereth not the cry of the poor shall
cry himself and shall not be heard. "
Congress has disregarded the cry of
the poor, and had it not been for u
few brave, steakfast patriotic Populists
things would have been worse. Now,
Mr.. Editor, I am not TESTING about
these things. Think of the bonds al
ready issued and they want to issue
more. Think of the extravaganza of
Congress, the money they spent for
~pocket-books, albums, shears, scissors,
cutlery, pens, $25 each for postage
when their mail goes free, and over
$1,000 for 81 dozen pocket knives at
g apiece, and more than two knives
toeach member, and this is only a small
part of their expenditures. Then on
the other hand, think of the so, 900
American citizens suffering in the one
city of Chicago, and of the 5 200, 900
families living in rented homes; then
of the 10, 900 tons of uncoined silver
in the United States vaults, which
could be turned into dollars and as
many greensbacks struck off and dis
tributed, if Congress would have said
80. Think of all these things and
many more and perhaps you will ex
cuse me for my sarcastic language.
But this brings UP the Alliance, and
we can see that we have something to
do. I refer to the Alliance, because,
while it and the Populists are in sym
pathy with each other and are moving
in the same direction, the Alliance is
the leading factor in the reform move
ment. If we ever want better times,
labor mast organize and stick together.
Tt seems that the money gods are de-
termined to rule or ruin this country.
There are other things, Mr.. Editor,
that claim the attention of the Alliance.
This country, or this Republic, is tend
ing to a m~onarchial government; the
subject is being discussed now in GER
tain localities. And the Roman Cath
Ole church is rapidly gaining FREEDOM
inence and our Congress helping the
matter on. During the last nine or
ten years Congress has appropriated
yer five and one-half million dollars
to Roman Catholic institutions, while
all the other Protestant churches COM
bined have not received one dollar in
every fifteen. Then see the recent riot
n Savannah, when three thousand
citizens could not prevent the uncalled-
for lecture. I Ann surprised that every
minister of the Gospel is not crying
with clear and thunder like tones
against these dangers that are just be-
fore US. Alliancemen and Populists or
Retormers awakeI I say, awake! and
stop these blood-sucking vampires at
Washington, and stop this unloyal
foreign power that is debating to us
what kind of money we shall have or
who shall rule over us. Brethren we
must organize and stay organized. If
we cannot stay the hand of oppression
soon, it will not be a matter of choice
with us. The liberties that our church
fathers bought for us with their lives
at the stake, and the independence
which our patriotic fathers bought for
Us with their lives and blood are jeo-
pardized. We should work and pray
this is a matter that we can carry to
God IN prayer, and we should do it.
1t we will work now we may prevent
a great trouble. I sometimes think we {
are too late; we should have taken !
warning long ago, but then when I G
see that we are gaining ground almost 1
IN every direction l feel like singing q
the good old revival hymn: E
Shout Shout We are gaining ground.
o glory haIleluiahl
For the love of God is coming down. +
Oh, glory hallelUjahI' :
Now, If we will be up and doing
III we will stretch every nerve
And press with VigOr on. Il
mere viii be victory for us in reserve
And thu fFOuhla nil sOo- -. -.