Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1756-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more
Image provided by: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS
Newspaper Page Text
Devoted to the Interests of the Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union and Other Kindred Organizations VOL. III. NO. 30. TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1892. 01.00 PER YEAR. A RIN'GIVft LETTER FRO 'J J. H. TURK IB, NATIONAL hECBJCTART .OF THX 7. A. & I. U. Editor Southern Alliance Farmer: The 22d of February and the great In dustrial conference have come and gone, and it now remains for time to tell us what effect the acta of that conference will hare upon the political Institutions of the republic "History repeats Itself and patriots in this struggle for liberty as nur father did In "76, will have their counterpart, the "Tories." Already, before the echoes of the long pent up enthusiasm which burst forth at St. Louis have died away, we hear discordant, cotes peal log forth from men whose utterances ard actions in the past have led ua to believe that when the appointed time comes they would be the first to step to the front and would al ways be in the thickest of the fight until our principles triumphed and liberty was onoe more enthroned In our beloved country, but their recent utterances prove too well that they were doomed to disappointment and shame. It Is true, we feel somewhat disap pointed, but not at all discouraged, for history tells us that the cause of right and justice has always had to meet just such obstacles. We have been Importuned for more than a year to wait until the 22d of Feb ruary, 1892, at which time we would marshal the reform hosts of this country under freedom's banner for the coming conflict, which every sensible man knew was inevitable. I do not like to deal in personalities, and will not do so in this letter any further than circumstances compel me, but a blow has been dealt the cause I love, and I can no longer for bear. Bros. Livingston and Moses, on their return to Georgia from St. Louis, have made such wild statements of facts as reported in the public prints that I feel it my duty to tell the brethren of Oecrgla some facts that I believe they should know. I was a delegate to the St Louis conference and was a member of the committee on platform, therefore am In a position to know what transpired there. I have been in Washington city all the time since the present Congress convened. I have been in this reform movement since the first Alliance was organized in Georgia five years ago. When President Livingston was assailed I did what 1 could to hold up his hands. Last August, when such a strong senti ment developed at the meeting of the State Alliance for political scion, he begged us to wait till the 22d of Febru ary, and gave us to understand that whatever action was taken at St. Louis he would be with us. The action has been taken. The conference has brought f orth to the world a platform for which any patriot can fight, and if need b, die. On the final adoption of that platform he voted for every word of it, and so did Mr. Moses. Why did they vote for it? Tn did It because to have done otherwise would have been to stultify themselves and repudiate every honest sentiment they haye uttered since they have been members of the Farmers' Alliance. Their first utterances, on their arrival in Georgia, is a thrust at that very plat form for which they had so laHy voted It was an effort to create a prejudice in the minis of the south against that plat form, but in their eagerness to justify themselves and make their partleanlsm shine out more brig tit 1) ; they failed to col floe themselves to the facts. They htve publicly declared that the platform adopt d at 8t Louis proposes to give the old soldiers back pay, etc., to pay which the southern people would be taxed, eta The dreadful thing referred to Is as fol lows: "Resolved, That the government Issue legal tender notes and pay the Union soldier the difference between the price of the depreciated money In which he was paid and gold." I, as a member of the committee on platform, most emphatically say that it l oo part of the platform, but was simply a resolution passed after the platform had all been fix d and agreed upon Read it carefuly and you will see that the resolution Itself has been misrepre sented. It does not propose any taxation whatever, but proposes to issue green backs and by this means put them into circulation without taxing anybody one cent. It Is a simple piece of justice for which every reformer has contended since the war. Democratic leaders did not object to making the bondholders' bonds as good as gold; why Bhould they object to making the poor soldiers' pay which he received in depreciated cur rency, as good as gold, and at the same time put more money in circulation which will help every man in this gov ernment who makes his bread by the sweat of his face. Every Allianceman In Georgia remem bers that during the year 1800 the State Alliance of Georgia paid the expenses of Brother Livingston and otbera to go t Kansas on behalf of the State Alliance of Georgia as messengers of peace and good will. Should they have expressed such sentiments at that time as they do now, they would have been repudiated by ev ery good Allianceman in Georgia, Why such sentiments now? We 4 constrained to believe that It is the same old tactics which the political demagogue has used ever since the war to fan the fire of sectional hate, thereby keeping the sections divided and himself In office. , In the light of these revelations it makes us fear that Wall street through Tammany Hall has seized and appropri ated the very men whom we have se lected to lead us out of the wilderness. In the nam of the debt ridden toilers of 'his lai d, lei us hope not. Col. Ltvlngston says that he la opposed to the railroad plank, because it demands that the government shall own the roads and run them in the interest of the peo ple. It is th identical plank that was in the 8w Louis demand which were adopted by the National Farmer AM ance and Industrial Union in 1889 and for which the Colonel voted and on which he made his race for Congress. If It was right then it is right now. Being a candidate for Uongress men ana Congressman now perhaps makes the difference. I shall stand by the action of the St. Louis oonf erenc. and I believe it the duty of every AUlancemtn to do the same because it is the logical result of our own work and teaching, for whom no one Is more responsible than these men. Lt every Aliiaaceman in Georgia be as true to priaolple as the Alliance in the past has been to Col. Livingston, and victory will crown our efforts. In the next I will give the Alliancemen of Georgia some other facts that will be interesting if not instructing. Yours for truth and justice, J. II. TURNIR. Washington, D. C. the principles as laid down In ths "Declaration of Purposes." One of those principles is, that "we demand equal rights to all, and special favors to none." Still you siy that women have no right to vote or hold offioe. Brethren, be consistent Either own up that the lady members of the union have an equal right with you, or else ex pel them from the order, and reviee your declaration, making it to read: "E ju&l rights to all men, and no favors whatever to the women. A Would bs Votes. EQIUL RIGHTS. To the Editor of Th k ad vocatc Shall women have equal rights with the men? This qiestion is being agitated by both church and state. It cannot be ignored. It will not be set aside. The time has come when it must be decided upon; and It must be submitted to the voice of the people. Some will tell us that the woman mut not usurp authority over the man, and will qu"te from ihe bible to prove their point. We will admit that they are right. Women do not desire to usurp authority over the men. They only atk to be recog nized as equals, as God created them. Male and female created lie them, and blessed them," and said: "Let them have dominion." To the members of the Farmers' Alll ance let me say: You have pledged your selves to supp rt the constitution of that organization, and in thus pledging-your selves you plainly said that you endorsed FROM RK0 COUNIY. To the Editor of Tua Auvocatr: N iw, that the national council at St Louis has come out and given no uncertain sound, but rather In advance of all prior movements, I wish to be heard for once. I d ) not believe in the usual convention Hystem, but believe In primary meet logs belDg held where all our citizens can come out and vote to bring out candidates for office, the results thereof to be sent to the county committee appointed for that purpose; also for county officers, certified by the presidents and secretaries of all townships and ward voting pre electa; also to all district, state and na tional committees, and at all times the person having the highest number of votes be declared the candidate of the party, thus preventing the caucus system of buying and selling. And believing your advice to be timely and in harmony with surh a movement, I will suggest the name of Hon. J. B. Weaver, of lows, for president, and the name of Col. L L. Polk, president of the National Farmers' Alliance and Industlal Uuioo, for vice president I also second the nomination of Brother S. M. Scott for governor of Kansas, as we want a good and well tried mao, a brave man, an able man, and ft man who knows the wants and needs of the great masses of our wealth producers, and will act to their highest conception of duty in every sphere he may be called on, regardless of consequences. There fore, Brother Scott Is the man for gov ernor of Kane as. Now, I wUh t says that the Alliance and Kolgh's of Labor In all this section believe that the People's party have cot the bone and sinew of the great majority of wealth producers who have the ability to rightly conduct the affairs of state and nation, and that her voters are am plv well versed In political economy to take charge of affairs end bring out f n m bondage and political corruption the captive, ai d set the people free. Allow V say that we believe the reform press Is doing wonders for our people, and that fne Advocatr Is one of the brightest etars in the political horizon. Lin may she live to art a mediator be tween the oppressor and the oppressed. - UUBBABT.