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PEOPLE’S I‘AUiY CLUB NO. 1.
Synopsis <.f Address by J. L. Priscol,
Tuesday Evening, August 16.
[This Club meets every Tuesday
evening at 8 o'clock, at No. 27 £ East
Alabama street, Atlanta, Ga.]
Ihe phrase, “something better,’’
may strike i-ome readers as being new
in American politic*, yet it is as old
as the government it.-elf. Hamilton,
the father of modern republicanism,
sai l in 1797, speaking of the consti
tution : “It is a shilly-shally thing,
and only good as a step to something
better. ’ Had the apostle of central
ization lived to the present time, he
would have seen his dream realized ;
American manhood shorn of its proud
prerogative; youth stunted and
starved in the midst of plenty, and
helpless millions toiling unceasingly
that the pampered few could 101 l in
luxurious ease.
The idea of the early plutocrats
was, that money should rule; that
manhood was to be encouraged only
as it advanced the interests of the
moneyed classes; that the constitu
tion, to use Hamilton’s own words,
was only the “ best thing that could
be extorted from a reluctant nation,
and that in the future the Federal
Government may triumph over the
State Governments and reduce them
to entire subordination.” The dem
ocratic idea, of which Jefferson was
the exponent, was the very antithesis
of this. The people, according to
this theory, were best governed who
were least governed ; manhood was
something infinitely superior to
money, and that the dream of the
statesman should be to benefit all
the people alike, granting “ equal
rights to all, special privileges to
none.”
The great leader of the first great
third party, Thomas Jefferson, with
the honest yeomanry of the country
at his back, triumphed, and the eter
nal principle of justice, reigned su
preme until the war unhappily placed
the Hamiltonian idea in power.
What was the result, in the South
especially ? Circumstances forced all
the white people into the democratic
party, in order to maintain white
supremacy. The democratic party
—the grand old party of Jeffers-on
and Jackson; the party of “equal
rights to all men and special privi
leges to none ” —became thoroughly
saturated with ail the worst features
of federalism, whigism and knownoth
ingism. The democratic party to
day, in the South, furnishes as many
defenders of the National Bank rob
bery, of the tariff robbery, of the
manufacturing trusts and monopolies,
of the land robbery, and as many
apologists for the Pinkerton thug
element in oppressing the poor man,
as the republican party, which is the
lineal descendant of federalism.
What is the consequence? The
people, who by their bravery tri
umphed in war over the plutocrats
of England, and by their industry
created the fabulous wealth which is
the envy of the effete monarchies of
Europe, are forced into
“NOT A REVOLT, BUT A REVOLUTION”
against the power and the encroach
ments of a modern plutocracy more
grinding and oppressive than the
power thrown off 116 years ago—
more oppressive because it carries
with it the name of the people.
How are the people met by these
purse-proud, plutocratic would-be
masters, when they ask to have their
burdens lightened ? Why, the dem
ocratic masses in the South are mot
in the same spirit by their leaders
that the republican masses are met in
at the North by the republican lead
ers. Some, adopting the tone of the
haughty master, say: “ Work more
and talk less.” Others pooh ! pooh!
their demands as shams and absurdi
ties. Others, again, make promises
which they deliberately break, and
laugh at your simplicity for believ
ing them; while still others say with
a sarcastic leer, “ O, you cannot legis
late a man into affluence; if we give
you anarchists all you want, the lazy
and the ignorant w’ould let it slip
through their hands, and they would
soon be as badly off as ever.” But
the crowning piece of impudence is
wdien they tell you that you are
about to turn the State over to
NEGRO DOMINATION.
It requires very little effort to an
swer these assassins of liberty. The
men who wrested the State from the
vultures who came to despoil it at
the close of the war, are not going to
turn it over to a greedier set of vul
tures in 1892. The government has
been legislating the masses of honest
toilers into poverty, and the pam
pered few into affluence ; that must
be stopped, for the tiat of the people
has gone forth. The men who have
been so prolific in promises and so
barren in performance —in a word,
who have so deliberately deceived
the people —shall be relegated to
the rear; they have been “ weighed
in the balance and found wanting.”
When they say to the American citi
zen, “ work more and talk less,” the
proper answer for freemen to give
to so insulting a command is, “ Yes,
and by the eternal, the first duty of
a freeman is to hurl you from the
trusts you hive so oasely betrayed,
and ihe next is to secure the fruits
of our own labor.”
Some of the weaked-kneed will say,
“Oh, you can do nothing; you are
weak and divided ; money will rule,”
etc. To such 1 would say, you do
not know your own strength; if you
are divided, it is time to unite ; money
is powerful, but a united people—
the creators of all wealth—are irre
sistible, The people of France had
the same fallacies ding-donged i i
their ears, and the blind Bourbons
lulled themselves into fancied repose
when they heard the mutterings of
an outraged people, but they waked
one fine morning to a realization of the
fact that the people of France—the
despised, patient beasts of burden—
when goaded past endurance, were
as able to smash the cold-blooded
authors of their woes, as the reader
is to smash an egg shell.
“ Oh ! ” they tell you, “the grand
old Democratic party is the best
channel through which to seek re
dress ” —that is in the South. Tn the
North, they say, “ The Republican
party must be the redresser of your
wrongs.” The truth is, the profes
sional politicians on both sides are
too intent upon their own schemes
to give your affairs a passing notice ;
many of them acknowledge your
wrongs, but they deny the remedies ;
you will find still others who think
more on the rounding of a sentence
than the suffering of the citizen—
men who sit in open-mouthed admi
ration of their own eloquence, but
whose ears are closed to the shrieks
of suffering humanity; whose eyes
are closed to the acts of the robber,
to the work of the assassins of liberty
will never come to your relief.
“ Who would be free,
Himself must strike the blow.”
I read in one of the mouth-pieces
of plutocracy, the other day, of a
masterly presentation of democratic
principles by one of Georgia's gifted
sons, in which the writer described
it as a “ delicious rill of exquisite
poesy and eloquence.” Now, 1 sub
mit that democratic principles need
no defence; they are as unassailable
as the rock of Gibraltar. The peo
ple do not want delicious rills of
poesy and eloquence; what they do
want, is honest, brave, conscientious
men, who will execute their will, not
assume the role of masters ; who will
return to the Jeffersonian practice of
meting “ equal and exact justice to
all; special privileges to none;” and
preach less of eternal principles.
J. L. Driscol.
Middle of the Road.
To the Members of the FarmersjAlliance and
Industrial Union:
For years we have been studying po
litical economy, “The Science of Gov
ernment,’’ from a strictly non-partisan
standpoint, the only correct method of
arriving at the truth in politics. With
unparalleled unanimity and enthusi
asm, we have united on a series of de
mands which have been adopted, af
firmed and re-affirmed by our supreme
council, our State, county and subord
inate Alliance. Last February, at St.
Louis, they were endorsed by twenty
other great labor organizations. These
demands are the result of many years
of patient study and discussion of the
labor problem. We believe they are
just and essential. The time has now
arrived to test whether we are going
to be practical or not. The only way
to secure the enactment of these de
mands into law is through political
action —legislation. We have passed
through t he stages of discussion, reso
lution and demanding. These are all
preliminary and necessary to the final
act of voting. Unless followed up by
our ballots, all that we have done will
have been in vain. The difficulty that
now confronts as an organization is,
that whilst we are a unit in our de
mands, we are not, as to methods of
seeming them. We all must agree on
the common sense proposition that the
only way of securing them is to vote
for them. Unfortunately, our partisan
ship, in some cases, has proven stronger
than our allegiance to our principles.
When we first made our political de
mands, we, to that extent, became a
political organization. In doing so, we
did not become a political party, nor
do I think we, as a class, ever should.
So long as other classes and professions
remain organized as classes or profes
sions, we, too, must perpetuate and
strengthen our organization. But hav
ing, as an organization, made certain
political demands, we have correspond
ing duties to perform. When we re
quested the several political parties to
adopt our demands, there was an im
plied promise that if they did, we
would support them; if not, we would
oppose them. We have been met with
the contention that this would inter
fere with our political freedom. Be
fore taking the obligation, we were
assured that it “will not conflict with
the freedom of your political or reli
gious views.” The Alliance has been
an educator. Our demands are our
“political views.” Instead of inter
fering with, we urge our members to
Island by and support and vote fortheir
political views. It is the only honest
and consistent thing we can do. If
you believe any other platform of prin
ciples more important than ours, then
they are your political views, and it is
your duty to support them in prefer
ence to ours. Our demands can only
be crystalized into law through the
medium of a political party.
I lay down three common-sense
propositions. First. It is always nec
essary to follow up a political party
after they have promised, to compel
them to keep their promises. Second.
It is very improbable that any politi
cal party will enact our demands into
law unless they first proinise to do so.
Third. It is utterly ridiculous to ex
pect a political party to enact our de-
i mauds into law so long as they are
fighting them. The man who has suf
ficient faith to believe that they will,
has enough to remove a mountain, but
faith even of that kind will never move
a political party. They live on and are
moved by votes. Our first duty as cit
izens is to examine well the promises
of all political parties as contained in
their platform of principles, and then
follow it up by their record to learn
which political party is our partv.
One political party having adopted
our demands,it would be in direct con
flict with our obligation to ask you to
support a political party that has not
done so. Worse, it would be asking
you to violate the sacred right of fran
chise, which should be guarded as the
ark of our covenant. As an organiza
tion we are bound to support our prin
ciples As citizens, it is our duty to
vote our principles. Our order is on
trial. We have reached a point where
we are certain to lose some members,
and it is wise to consider the situation
carefully. To push on aggressively
and in earnest, we will lose those who
love their old party bondage better
than our principles. To be weak or
vascillating at this critical time, will
insure the loss of the earnest, aggres
sive membership, who are honestly ad
vocating our principles as of para
mount importance to that of any polit
cal party. No true Alliance man can
hesitate which course to pursue. Ad
mitting a loss, which we must, which
method will insure us the greatest
gain? Unquestionably the honest,
manly, consistent course of voting as
we talk, resolve, demand and pledge.
Experience in the State elections,
where we have voted for our princi
ples, has demonstrated that our gains
have more than balanced our losses in
numbers, and strengthened us im
mensely in prestige and influence.
A few may be led away with the idea
that because a political party has
adopted our demands,our efforts should
now be concentrated solely for the
party. This would be a grave mistake.
We must perpetuate and strengthen
our organization as a bulwark for our
principles, present and prospective,
a tower “or strength to aid the party
adopting our demands and a terror to
the political party t lighting them. In
other words, we must remain indepen
dent of and superior to political par
ties. It is not enough that a political
party has adopted our demands. Po
litical parties are proverbially frail.
We must follow them up to see that
they perform. New issues, vital to our
interests, wil arise continually. With
out organization we would again be at
the mercy of other organized classes,
and would again have to go through
the laborious work of organization to
rescue ourselves.
Our only hope and safety is in per
petuating and perfecting our organiza
tion, pressing forward consistently and
persistently until victory is assured.
Fraternally, 11. L. Loucks,
President N. F. A. and 1. U.
Deplored in England.
London, August 17. —The Post says :
“It is impossble to read of the labor
troubles in America without feeling
the gravity of the crisis t hrough which
the great American republic is passing.
The moral should be laid to heart in
England, where unionism seems dis
posed to go to extreme lengths, if a
favorable opportunity presents itself.”
Two out of three of the militia
ompanies of Nevada have decided to
disband. The use of militia in labor
strikes is the cause assigned. Most
of the members of the Nevada militia
were members of or in sympathy with
labor organizations. Workingmen
will not be used to shoot and terrorize
other workingmen for the benefit of
millionaire labor-oppressing corpora
tions. If workingmen would quit
voting against each other and for the
corporations, there would be no de
mand made on them to shoot each
other.
A Rally.
There will be a People’s Party rally on
Wednesday, August 24, at 1 o’clock, at
Cave Springs, Floyd county, Georgia.
The following speakers will be with us :
J. Blanco, Miller Wright, S. J. Whatley,
W. T. Palmer, and others. Everybody
invited. Let all come with a day's
rations. D. S. Orndorff, Sec'y.
Macon County.
Members of the Executive Commit
tee of Macon county are earnestly re
quested to organize local clubs at con
venient points in each district at once
and report to the undersigned. Pre
pare a roster of all voters, People’s
Party, Democrats, Republicans and
doubtful. Be prompt, no time to lose.
W. T. Christopher,
W. L. D. Duncan, Chm. Ex Com.
Secretary.
Sumter County.
Americus, Ga., Aug 17.
By authority vested in me by Ex
ecutive Committee of the People’s
Party of Sumpter county, I hereby call
a mass meeting to be held in Ameri
cus on the 3rd day of September at
11 o’clock, to nominate two candidates
for Representatives of Sumpter coun
ty. G. W. McNeal,
Ch’m’n. Ex. Com.
From the Tenth.
Toombsboro, Ga., Aug. 17.—Hon. T. E
Watson will be with us on the 27th in
stant to make his first speech.
The Democrats had their primary last
Saturday and polled their full strength,
as they had two running for the same
office —one Alliance Democrat (if there
is such a thing) and one prominent
lawyer. They voted 660 out of 1,600
voters in the county. This county is for
Watson, and after he has been here it
will be twice as many more.
We are going to win everything, from
bailiff up. The Democrats in this coun
ty are like the label on the bottle —all
around it but not in it.
W. F. Cannon,
& Speaker’s Appointments.
W. L. Peek will speak at the follow
ing places:
Clarkesville, Habersham county,
August 22nd.
Calhoun, Gordon county, August
24th.
Ringgold, Catoosa county. August
25 th.
Newnan. Coweta county, August
26 th.
Perry, Houston county, August3oth.
In Alabama.
Southern Alliance Farmer.
Ihe Kolb people in Alabama seem
little inclined to compromise and con
done the great outrage that the “or
ganized democracy” of Alabama
committed in the recent State election.
The honest toiling wealth producers of
that state have made up their minds
not to bow down in humble submission
to ballot box stuffing and fraud. They
will tight it to the bitter end and appeal
to the honor of American manhood to
sustain them. There is no question
but what Kolb has been deliberately
and wilfully counted out. His majori
ty in the State was not less than thirty
thousand and yet the Jones conspira
tors, with the ballot boxes and the
courts in their hands, have succeeded
in defrauding the people out of the
election.
This demonstrates to what straits the
old moss backs have been driven. They
stand not upon the method, but they
must hold the positions at any- cost.
In Georgia they are in the same
condition. Nothing but steel back
bone on the part of the reformers of
Georgia will prevent them from repeat
ing the Alabama outrage. It is already
the scheme to count us out in the large
cities where they think we have few
supporters.
We appeal to the law abiding citizens
of Georgia to stand against such out
rages as have been enacted in Alabama
and which have disgraced the State.
In that State the democratic party
by its methods has brought anarchy
and discord. It is directly responsible
for the fearful condition of affairs
by its fraudulent suppression of the
people’s will.
We appeal to all lovers of liberty,
and law abiding people in Georgia to
join us in a demand for a free ballot
and a fair count in the coming election
and let us prevent the anarchy which
now reigns in Alabama from being
enacted in Georgia.
To the reformers we appeal especial
ly to see io it that there is a fair elec
tion in every precinct in the State and
that every man who is a legal voter has
the priviledge of casting his vote, and
then having it counted as cast.
No honest man could demand less
and no party which values its reputa
tion for fair dealing could afford to
offer less.
From Oli io.
[Special to Southern Alliance Farmer.]
Athens, ()., Aug 12.—The People’s
Party of Ohio will assemble in State
Convention at Massilon on the 17th,
inst. The gathering promises to be
one of magnitude and enthusiasm. .
° I
There has been a large amount of
careful and quiet organizing work done
in Ohio and the first visible results, as ■
shewn by the State Convention, are I
likely to prove alarming to the old par- '
ties. Already they are showing signs I
of discomfort over the presence of the
People’s Party in the arena and they
will watch the outcome of the conven
tion with more than curious interest. ,
The farmers of Ohio have steadily j
lost wealth and power for the last ten
years. This is conclusively shown by
figures of the census.
Look at this showing for Ohio:
Value of farms, 1880, $684,000,000
Value of farms, 1890, $569,000,000
Loss in ten years $125,000,000
Is it not about time that the farmers
who are being robbed by our financial
system, to the tunc of $12,500,000 per
year should take some action and radi
cal steps to end this infamous system
of stealage?
i
Here is a dead loss of seventeen per
cent of what they possessed ten years
ago.
In the meantime the value of real
estate in the cities of the State increas
ed thirty-eight per cent —showing the
superior class privileges accorded to
those who manufacture, finance and !
barter, over those who toil and sweat
and eat the dust of the fields!
If these figures do not form the solid
platform for a People’s Party in Ohio
where shall we look for justification for
any revolt against robbery?
Keep your eye upon the State Con
vention next week and then watch for
the voters in November. There is a
big revolution on—and a part of the
wheels are moving over the broad area
of Ohio.
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
I found there was also a more than
sporadic interest in the great cause of
the people; the laboring people and the
agriculturists are coming to understand
the identities of their positions and suf
ferings because of the false, fraudulent
and bandit financial policy of the gov
ernment.
The Homestead troubles are not
settled. They will not be until the
outraged men who have felt the Car
negie tyranny have had a chance to
speak at the ballot-box. It will not do
to try to quiet these men by yelling
“pio'.ecticn” or ‘tariff reform” at them.
They know that their condition of sla
very, spoliation and poverty has been
artificially produced, in spite of “pro
tection,” and that it will not be changed
by “Tariff Reform.” They know
more about “what is the matter” and
“where they are at” than all the old
party yawpers in and out of con
gress.
They propose to help change the
whole financial system of the county
and re-organize the money and meas
ures of government in the interest of
the laboring masses instead of, as now,
running the machinery of the Republic
for the benefit of the luxurious mil
lionaire classes.
Hon. Samuel M. Taliaferro. '
Relow we give a brief sketch of the
Hon. Samuel M. Taliaferro, the worthy
nominee of the People’s Party for con
gress from the Fifth district. He is a
farmer of unblemished character and
a gentleman in every sense of the
word. lie was born in Fulton county,
this state, in 1847, within one mile of
where he now resides, and devoting
his time and talents to the best inter
ests of the people of his native state,
enjoying the respect and esteem of his
neighbors, he is eminently fitted to
represent this district in the halls of
congress. He is a son of the late
Judge Edward M. Taliaferro, who
came to Georgia from South Carolina
when a mere boy, locating in this coun
ty near where the subject of this
sketch first saw the sun light.
His mother was a Miss Margaret
Pool, whose family is well and favora
bly known to the people of Georgia.
His ancestors were originally from
Virginia where they won distinction
in revolutionary times for their valor
and patriotism. They have always
been on the side of justice and against
all forms of class legislation. Where
ever there was a principle involved,
all who knew the Taliaferros could tell
where they stood, although it made
them temporarily the subject of ad
verse criticism Throughout a long
line of ancestry no one ever knew
them to stoop to do an unmanly act or
betray a trust reposedin them. Loyal
to their convictions of right and jus
tice they never sacrificed principle
upon the altar of successful wj-ong.
During the reconstruction period
that followed upon the heels of the
late war, Judge Taliaferro was elected
to the legislature from Fulton county,
and took a firm stand in behalf of local
government. In every position he
assumed through life his conduct was
marked by his uniform adherence to a
conscious discharge of duty.
The subject of this sketch has been
one of the most active workers in the
Alliance movement in this section of
the state. For several years he has
made their interests his study and
their cause his cause. Never radical
in his views, he has all the while mov
ed forward with cautious regard for the
rights of others. He believed that the
masses had been imposed upon by class
legislation in both state and national
affairs. That while they created a
majority of the wealth and paid most
of the county, state and national taxes,
yet they had no voice in the adminis
tration of affairs and no recognition by
the politicians who fed upon the reve
nues tilched from their unwilling and
depleted pockets. He saw that the
time had come under the enlighten
ment of our advanced civilization
when the agriculturalists and mechan
ical class must unite their forces and
through the ballot box inaugurate
those reforms so greatly needed to
ameliorate their impoverished condi
tion. This has been his aim and
object for several years.
He saw that by uniting they could
become the leading factor in all legis
lation, and that a reckless expenditure
of the public revenues would no longer
stain the pages of history. To this
end he has toiled without the hope of
reward, save a conscious discharge of
duty. He lost sight of himself in
working for others. Wherever a
meeting of alliancemen was held, in
this and adjoining counties they could
always count on Sam Taliaferro being
there advocating their principles. Ila
never advised independent political
action until he saw that Wall street
controlled the legislature in both
houses of congress. But at last when
the industrial classes from all over the
Union met in St. Louis to unite their
forces and wipe out all sectionalism
and demanding relief in legislatisn, he
went with his brethren into the Peo
ple’s Party. He stayed with the dem
ocratic party until he saw it refuse to
keep it pledges to the people.
The only thing they can say against
Sam Taliaferro is that he is a poor
man. No one can deny that he is an
upright and honest man. No one can
successfully attack his character. He
is a Christian man of spotless reputa
tion, of perfect integrity and tine abil
ity- '
He never solicited his nomination,
and was called from his farm near Cor
nell to represent the industrial masses
of this district in the lower house of
congress. The mails every day bring
assurances of his election next
November.
There will oe a grana rally of the
People’s Party near Ringgold, Catoosa
county, Georgia, on the 25th of August.
Let all of the People attend.
Mass Meeting iu DeKalb.
Subject to a call of the chairman
of the People’s Party Executive
Committee of DeKalb county, the
People met in Decatur August 15.
The object of the meeting was to
nominate candidates for the People’s
Party to represent the People in the
General Assembly of the State of
Georgia. The Executive Committee
met and nominated John E. Ma
guire and John W. Singleton as
representatives, unanimously. The
choice was then submitted to a mass
meeting of the People, and was
unanimously ratified and endorsed
by a rising vote. Mr. M. D. Irwin
then made one of the finest speeches
that was ever made in this county.
Many thanks to Judge Clark for
his courtesy in ajourning court for
two hours that the People might
have the use of the court house.
Everything was conducted in per
fect unity and harmony.
There were fully three hundred
voters present. J. B. Holland,
, - Secretary pro-tem.
Picnic and Public Speaking.
There will be a grand rally of the Peo
ple’s party at Acworth, Cobb county,
August 31st. All persons friendly to the
reform movement are earnestly requested
to be present. Also, those unfriendly,
and those who claim to be neutral, are
cordially invited to be present. Matters
of grave and vital importance, in which
every citizen is interested, will be dis
cussed. Our colored friends have an in
terest in those issues and we invite them
to be pres°nt.
Barton, Paulding and Cherokee coun
ties are requested to assist us with their
presence and baskets. Let all who can
bring well filled baskets, and let us have
a jolly day. We have invited, and ex
pect the following speakers : Thomas
E Watson, W. L. Peek, M. D. Irwin,
Joseph Blance, C. M. Jones, J. A. Sibley
and others. Speaking will begin at 10
o’clock a. m.
B. Rainey,
D. D. Barrett,
G. W. McMillan,
S. J. Tippin,
Committee from Ex. Com. and People’s
Party club.
East Tennessee in the Fight.
Louden county, in mass meeting as
sembled on Saturday, August 6th, dele
gated and instructed the undersigned to
call a floatorial convention for Louden,
Polk and Monroe.
Therefore I call upon the counties of
Louden and Polk to select delegates to
meet us in convention at Madisonville on
Monday, September 12, at 1 o’clock p. m.
for the purpose of nominating a floater
to represent us in the lower house of the
general assembly, and transacting such
other business as may come before the
convention.
The counties of Polk, McMinn, Bradley
and James are requested to confer with
the undersigned to arrange time and
place for holding senatorial convention
in the seventh senatorial district.
By order of the committee.
Tom. Brenan,
Central Committee.
May be a Democrat.
People’s Voice, Norman, Okla.
A man may be a Democrat and
favor free silver.
A man may be Democrat and op
pose free silver.
A man may be a Democrat and be
a nationil banker.
A man may be a Democrat and op
pose national banks.
A man may be a Democrat and
favor free trade.
A man may be a Democrat and
favor a protective tariff.
A man may be a Democrat and
—but time would fail us to tell the
things a man might favor or oppose
and yet be a Democrat. The only
requirement, the only test of fellow
ship is to support the nominee and
vote the ticket straight.
Missouri World for the Campaign, 10
Cents.
The Missouri World, published
weekly at Chillicothe, Mo., will be
sent during the campaign for ten
cents. The World is a straight Peo
ple’s party paper and is as good for
one State as another, giving the gen
eral news ; makes a specialty of Peo
ople’s party telegraphic news. Pub
lishes letters from the reform work
ers everywhere showing the great
enthusiasm of the people, and grand
progress of the new party. Take it
and do a little missionary work by
sending it to others.