Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1911-02-09
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UNCLE TOMS LETTER.
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would like for ''Wild Vest to tell
us where and in what section the
prosperity he alludes to is so wonder
full If he or anyone else knows of
any place where prosperity dominates
it would be an act of kindness to let
the laboring people know of it. For,
l tell you no such prosperity exists
here at Tracy City, only half work at
this time with nothing very fiatter-
ing for the future. think the stand
ards "Wild West" refers to have got
so high that they have gone clear
above the workingman, so much so
that the common necessities of life are
almest out of their reach (of course
know he didn't mean this). He has
no proof that morals and virtue are
any better than years ago. It's easy
to make assertions and little diff
cult to prove them sometimes. AS to
the corporations, they are demanding
about all the liberty and privileges a
working man has, and have been do
ing so for a long time. So that is no
proof we are enjoying any great
amount of liberty or freedom, but it
does show what bossism will do in
this age of the world and how the
henchman of corporations will crow
over the despotism of the same.
We've no proof that crime is on tie
decrease and visit to our jails and
penitentiaries is proof enough to show
that crime is still holding high carni-
val in all the states. do wish the
picture ''Wild West drew was real
ity and a sure enough thing. Sober
ness, it is true. is more prevalent than
just few years ago, but as to loving
kindness between man and man, and
neighbor and neighbor, that is far be-
low par to what it used to be 30 years
ago. So we've lost the best part to
great extent, social kindness and help,
Hospitality and other traits of gener-
osity were living fact not SO very
many years ago. Graft or stealing by
public officials is of new origin and
was not heard of half a century ago.
Law makers sought to represent the
people and did not care to manufact-
ure criminals as is the case now.
Yes, we are improving. friend, on
both sides of the question. Our
preachers have become like the rich
young man or Nicodemus, morally
good. Gan these have ] kept from
my youth up, what lack II" Alb.
there is the rub What do we lack
Here it is. Help the poor, assist them
to bear their burdens. Ego sell all
thou hast. and give to the poor, and
then come and follow me-" Do some
thing to fulfill the royal law, and that
brings us in touch with our neighbor.
As to high grade preachers. the
preacher who is in touch with human
ity and has a deep concern for the poor
around him is certainly following
Christ more closely than those who ig-
more them and pass by on the other
side.
Now, "Wild Vest am as much
opposed to strong drink as any one,
still there are evils more severe and
intolerable than strong drink, and that
is oppression. That is what l am
fighting in great country like ours,
rich and fertile. We know there is
something radically wrong when our
sober, industrious and best workers
have to live from hand to mouth. If
agitation will drive out intoxicating
liquors, surely agitation will cause the
hand of oppression to Tighten on the
workingman and our imaginations for
many. Sir, this is not false, for many
are drinking the bitter cup almost to
its very dregs.
We know that such truths in regard
to the poor don't look pretty in print
and even now men as Representa-
tive" says are being discharged be-
cause they want to exercise their own
right and privilege as free men. Cor
porations do rule in this land of ours |
without much doubt, and our govern
ment, it looks like amt in it to pro-
tect poor man from corporation ex-
actions.
Now, "Wild West look at the
other side little and see if You are
not the man that has false imagina-
lions.
UNCLE TOM.
Tracy City, Tenn.