Southern Mercury United with the Farmers Union Password. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 1905 Page: 4 of 8
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B0TJTHE1W MEBCUBT AWD VABMEBS UNIOIT PAS8WOBB.
United with the
FARMERS UNION PASSWORD.
Weekly
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM.
Published every Thursday by the
FARMER8' UNION PUBLISHING CO
Entered at the Dallas. Texas, joatof-
flce as mail matter of the second class.
Main Office: 2*3-215 Commerce St.
(corner Lamar. Gaston Build ng). Dal
las, Texas
Change of Address—Subscriber" re-
ouestlng a change of I *
the OLD as well as the NEW address.
Advertising rates furnished upon ap-
plication. Address all communications,
and make all drafts, money orders, etc..
®ayaMfLTON PARK, MANAGER.
DALLAS TEXAS.
We take pleasure in correcting any
and all errors—don't fail to give full
particulars, dates, amounts, etc., when
making a eomplaint. Write names
plainly. This will reduoe mistakes to
the minimum. Our agents are re-
quested to ask their Postmaster to in-
form us of any oopy not taken out.
8eeretaries will please write ua for
•peeial terms to agents. *
Watch the label on your paper. When
your subscription expires the paper
■tops.
Send us $4.00 for four annual sub-
scriptions and get your own copy free.
Do It now.
Another county union was organized
In Georgia recently—DeKalb county, at
Columbus. Next?
The attorney for the Shippers' As
sedation made a upMch at New Or
leans the other day, in which he said
that the railroad rates should be left
to a committee of railroad managers,
lawyers and shippers! Yes, keep
everything as far from Influence by the
people as posible. It is too bad that
the people have a vote on anything!
What a nice thing It would be to have
the corporation managers, their attor-
neys and big clients have the whole
say about everything! And the people
sleep while they aro being robbed!Ex.
Demand that everything be union
made and union raised. That's the
Idea.
Renew your subscription In time,
so as not to miss a copy. Watch the
date on the yellow tag.
Organizers J. L. Stapp of Pickens
Co., Ala., and W. C. McCoy ot Blount
county are doing yoeman work In the
organizing field.
The Farmers' Union warehouse at
lAlbertvllle, Ala., is doing a thriving
business, and the locals of Marshall
county are nearly all on the up grade.
Wm. A. Morgan, former manager of
the Standard Oil Company at Sedalla.
Mo., in a hearing at St. Louis, testi-
fied under oath that he was Instructed
by the head of the Standard Oil in-
terests in Missouri to use false guagos
on competing oil, In order to discredit
the measure of other companies. This
Is a sample of what this "octopus" re-
starts to when necessary In order to
crush out competition and maintain its
power. This is the combination which
owns many of the big "statesmen" and
In divers mysterious ways "Influence"
others. And the saintly Rockefeller is
at Its head.
Bro. A. J. Carothers Is pushing the
organization of the Colored Farmers'
Progressive Union, and is meeting with
great success. While this organiza-
tion has no connection whatever with
the F. "E. and U. of A., it will prove a
valuable aid In securing the ends for
which we are all working. There are
thousands of colored farmers In Texas,
who. If properly organized, will be a
power In getting the uniformity In price
which the white farmers aro struggling
for. We are glad to note that the col-
ored farmers' organization Is receiving
encouragement from the active white
Farmers Union workers In Alabama,
Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Before the plow manufacturer sold
the plow with which the farmer pro-
duced the cotton he ascertained what
It cost him to make It, and then set the
price accordingly. Figures were made
likewise on the cost of the wagon In
which the farmer hauled the cotton to
market, and Indeed on everything
which entered in any way Into the
making of the cotton. And the plow
man, and the wagon man, and all the
others, have prospered. But the farm-
er—he didn't make a single flguro
on what It cost him to make the cotton. I strikes conscience from tho throne, and
He Just went ahead and mado It, and ruth,
men In other classes who do make fig- To win a dark, unplteous fame.
ures told him that 9 to 10 cents was a , • • « •
good price for cotton, and he took their ue builds the state who to that task
word for It. Whtrn will the farmer go | Brings strong, clcan hands, and pur-
A PEW FACTS.
Henry A. Castle, former auditor for
the postofflce department, writes in a
recent number of Harper's Weekly con-
cerning the deficit In that department.
Certainly he knows whereof he speaks
when he says:
"In the United States last year the
enormous sum of $46,000,000 was paid
the railroads for transportation of the
malls, of which sum $8,000,000 repre-
sented that inexcusable and scandalous
graft, the rent of mail cars, under
which item more Is paid annually for
the bare use of the cars than the cars
cost In the first place."
Calculating according to official fig-
ures moves the Detroit Journal to re-
mark:
Wtlh this graft eliminated the treas-
ury statement this year would show,
instead of a deficit of $28,000,000, a sur-
plus of $12,000,000 or $13,000,000, even
admitting that exorbitant express rates
were paid on mall matter."
Here, then, are a few facts that those
who complain about an alleged deficit
In the postofflce department—and con-
ducted by money-grabbing capitalists
at that—ought to consider. With gov-
ernment ownership of railways the
present graft would be wiped out and
the surplus could be used to reduce the
cost of postage and better the condi-
tions of the men who do the work, in-
stead of further enriching a small band
of plutocrats and their politicians.
A BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.
Of the many American poets of the
present day there is not one whose
appeals to lofty patriotism or civic
spirit surpasses in high ethical tone
and moral virility the gifted Jersey
man, Richard Watson CHlder, as Is at-
tested by the following extract from
his "Builders of the State."
Who build the State? Not he whose
power
Rooted In wrong. In gold entrenched,
Mr'-.es him the regent of the hour;
The eternal light cannot be quenched:
This shall outlive his little span;
Shine fierce upon each tainted
scheme;
Shall show where shame blots all the
plan;
The treachery in the dazzling dream.
He builds the State who builds on
truth,—
Not he who, crushing toward his aim,
to figuring?—Abilene Farmers' Jour-
nal.
pose pure;
Who wears not virtue as a mask;
He builds the state that shall en-
dure,—
The discriminating reader will note
that this is the union paper whicli
keeps Its readers abreast of all Import-
ant current events.
There is money in good poultry when
given proper attention. Note poultry
"ad." of Bro. R. A. Davis, President
Collin Co. Union. He will treat you
right.
Do you watch and try to give the
Union an onward push at every oppor-
tunity? If not, you are not looking
after your own interests properly as a
farmer.
Market your cotton gradually. Don't
sell on a declining market. That's the
union doctrine. That's the doctrlnc on
Which we are winning.
Never waste a copy of the Mercury-
Password. Use every number to tlie
best advantage among neighbors and
friends. It is a powerful missionary foi
good, and you should utilize It to the
best advantage.
Don't let your bruin stagnate. Road,
reflect, swap Ideas freely with your
neighbors In your Local, and you will
Improve and brighten your rusty old
think-tank wonderfully.
President M. C. Fields of Fulls Coun-
ty Union is an enthusiastic and de-
voted worker, who lets no opportunity
slip for promoting the educational
propaganda upon which the success of
the Union so largely depends.
In another column will be found tho
advertisement of Dr. Ester's salve. If
any of our readers arc afflicted with
any of the ailments enumerated In the
_ad they will make no mistake In or-
dering a box. We know whereof we
Speak.
"Prairie Grove Union, No. 281. is
highly In favor of the parcels post sys-
tem, and we urge the Mercury-Pass-
word to place tho question beforo the
people so as to got unity of thought and
action." J. W. Stretcher, Secy., Mt
Vernon, Tex.
"Garland County is In tho lead in
the Union work In this State, and we
purpose to keep It there unless other
counties mnke extra strenuous efforts.
County Union meets Jon. 5-6, at Moun
tain Valley, Ark," W. S. Craing, Co.
Sec.,. Wlggs, Ark.
Much as the Farmers' Union has ac
compllshed during the brief period of
Its existence, a great deal more remains
to be done. You cannot Impress too
strongly upon the membership the
fact that this is, above all, an educa
tionai organisation.
Senator Burton of Kansas may not
be any worse than the average run of
his pals in the United States Senate,
but he certainly has been more indis-
creet and doesn't know how to cover
his tracks. In view of the downfall
of the Depews and the Burtons, the
McCurdys and McCalis, it begins to
like "greatness" in the "higher
s" consists in not being found out.
There la as great opposition by the
ruling few to electing Senators by dl-
reot vote, remarks the Ban Francisco
- Star, as there Is by the same piuto-
; element to the Initiative and ret-
urn. The fact that this opposition
by all the newspapers con-
lqr corporation Influences, la
' thsf
The state wherein each loyal son
Holds as a birthright froml true sires
KIND WORDS FOR THE UNIONS.
That sterling defender of tho rights
of the common people, tho Farmers'
Advocate, of Topeka, Kansas, pays this I of honor, nobly won,
merited tribute to the Farmers' Edu- | And fre0(j0m's never-dying fires,
rational and Co-Operatlve Union of
America: I A STORY ABOUT PULL.
The Farmers' Union has passed the Mercury-Password readers have not
crisis and is now a powerful organlza- forgotten the assumption ol Coal Baron
tlon in Southern States. It contains all Raer that ho and his class are "divine
the excellent educational features of trustees," co-partners with the Al-
tho Farmers' Alliance and avoids the mighty in the coal business."
dangerous partisan whirlpool which a writer In the Denver Times re-
stranded that splendid organization. jatea a conversation which illustrates
Its promoters have profited by the tho idea aptly:
mlntakes mado by the Alliance and My nttls niece had never been out of
other kindred organisations. Had tho the big city, and I was taking her far
Alliance kept out of partisan politics |„to the Country to visit relatives at
the good It could havo dono would bo Scranton, Pa. The train was close to
ard to estimate. ono 0f those huge culm piles so charac-
A11 hall tho Farmers' Union! It ■will terlstlc of the anthracite region,
educate the termers and those engaged scraper doing out there on the side of
In other Industrial avocations and pave the mountain?"
tho way for co-operative organization "That's not a sky-scraper, miy dear,"
in various business lines. i replied. "That's a coal breaker."
It will bo tho means of getting farm- "What is a coal breaker, uncle?"
ers together and further the extension "it's where the coal man takes the
of farmers' co-operatlvo elevators. coal, after he's dug It out of the mine
Svery stockholder in co-operative bus- and breaks it up Into sizes that your
Ines organizations should welcome, aid uncle can use beforo he sells it."
and assist In organizing tho Farmers' "ia that big hole the place where the
Educational and Co-Operatlve Union. COnl man gets the coal he charges us so
It will not only bo the means of in- much for?"
creasing farmers' elevators, but will in- | "Yon, my dear."
"Who puts tho coal there for him to
| dig, uncle?"
"God. my dear."
The little girl from the big city was
rease the membership and strengthen
those already In existence.
The co-operatlvo elevator move-
ment has been lacking in Its educa- o... ___
tlonal facilities. Tit has been short In I tl oughtful. Then she looked up.
its fraternal associations. Often tho "Say, uncle."
members do not know each other and "Well?"
only a few of the officers of a local know "How much does God charge the
Its stockholders and It Is frequently the to.al mar,?"
case not an officer or stockholder In a I "Nothing, my dear."
to a direct vote of the people. There
were 821.818 votes for separation, and
161 votes against. Then the Storthing
(the Norwegian parliament) was sum-
moned to carry the will of the people
into effect. When was an question,
great or small, ever referred to a di-
rect vote of the people in this coun-
try? Never! Is the government in
monarchlal countries closer to the peo-
ple than in this republic? Several
years ago, when our government was
negotiating with Denmark for the pur-
chase of the DanlVh West Indies, lit*
first thing that Denmark did was to
refer the question to a direct vote of
the people in the Island affected. The
people voted against the islands being
sold to our government, whereupon Den-
mark dropped the matter. This is gov-
erning according to the consent (the
will) of the governed. Isn't it ideal?
Why don't we do it? Why don't we
demand It? Members of Congress are
only our agents, not our rulers. Why
should not the people have the power
to revise the acts of their agents? The
same question arises In regard to the
government of the States. But a few
States have the referendum, and they
are all right. They can demand a di-
rect vote on any question whenever
thejr want to. The same question
arises in regard to the government of
cities—but a few cities have a modi-
fied referendum, which brings the gov-
ernment much nearer the people than
formerly. Why don't our people de-
mand the right to have a direct vote on
any question, whether local, state or
national, whenever they want It? This,
the referendum, is what purified poli-
tics in the Republic of Switzerland,
and It would purify politics in this
republic. Please thtnk about It."
CO-OPERATIVE S0CIETIE8 IN
GREAT BRITAIN.
The co-operative hovement Is be-
ginning to command considerable at-
tention in the great dailies and In the'
monthly magazines.
The great dallies and journals' are
beginning to recognize the co-operative
movement.
Everybody's Magazine, for instance,
has sent one of Its ablest men to Eu-
rope, to make a special study of co-
operation. The San Francisco Chron-
icle, discussing the progress of bus-
iness co-operation In Great Britain,
says:
"In 1883 there were only fifteen co-
operative societies for production,
based on the co-partnership policy. In
1903 these had increased to seventy-
seven, and now number 126. In 1883
the capital of all classes amounted to
$500,000. In ten years this had in-
creased to over $3,000,000, whilo now
It stands roundly at $9,400,000. In 1883
the sales were about $800,000; by 1893
they had Increased to $800,000,000, and
In 1904 to the sum of $16,500,000. In
1883 the profits were $45,000; in 1893
they reached $325,000, while in 1904 the
sum so set aside was above $900,000,
with a dividend further on wages of
$115,000. These figures as to the num-
ber of societies include those found in
Scotland, where are found several large
establishments, the Scottish Wholesale
and the United Baking being most
prosperous concerns.. In Ireland the
co-operative idea Is Strongly in force,
but co-partnership is recognized only
In the sotting aside of 10 per cent, of
profits for employees, and according
them tho right to become shareholders,
but none of tho Irish business is here
calculated.
On agricultural lines, both in England
and Ireland, the co-operative idea has
found successful adoption. In Ireland
the agricultural co-operative societies
mim'oer about 800, with 79,000 members,
and controlling a trade of $7,200,000.
The societies are formed almost wholly
of the small working farmers, and they
are generally well satisfied with the
practical benefits that have been as-
sured in the past. With an increase of
about sevenfold In a comparatively
short time tho advocates of the co
-partnership plan feel decidedly hope-
ful as to the future.
* * * *
Later, when we were crossing tho
| summit of the Poeono mountains on our
way back to the big city, the little girl
coal
local elevator company knows who are
stockholders and who are not, without
consulting the register.
With the splendid educational feat-
ures of the Farmers' Union It will fur- I tugged at mv arm
nlsh the means of getting closer to- ..gay uilcje la that another
gethcr where they will know each other breaker?"
nnd It will bind them in a fraternal ,.No my ,lpap that.a where tho lce
and social relationship where they can man stores bis Ice before taking It into
reason together with system, nnd order. 0jty sejj >•
As stated before, this will result In ..Where does' he get the Ice, uncle.
Increasing the stockholders in co- that he puts in that big house?"
operative companies as well as estab- ,.From thB bl(? lake there> on tha top
llsh and extend the movement Into now 0f ^o mountain"
territory and new stations. ,.x dol).t Beo nny ,ce thore> noWi un_
I.iet there be an awakening nil along: cje •
the line. Renewed courage nnd energy ,.N-0 my ,,car but ,n the w,nter tlme
should permeate the souls and thrill tho freezes the lake for tho Ice man
hearts of every intelligent farmer In and the Ice man cuts H into big chunks
the West. Get together. Organise and to acll to th0 poor pcop,e ,n the ^ty."
see to it that you get a "square deal." ,Th# mt,e glrl from th0 ctty wa„ 8,.
The Farmers' Educational and Co- ,ent a ,ong lon? whIlp. Finally she
Operative Union has discarded the po- from deep thought and said
lit leal features that wrecked the Farm- ..Say uncIe what an nwfu, pull the
ers* Alliance, but contains all the good I ^ mnn and tj,e coaj must have
principles, Improved and broadened. | q0(j
It is Just what the Alliance should
have been. If you are famtllarwtth the
Farmers' Alliance, just imagine Its
good features with Its co-oporatlve
features strengthened and Its partisan,
political,, impractical features elimi-
nated and you have the Farmers' Edu
catlonai and Co-Operatlve Union
America.
FOREIGN NATIONS USING THE
REFERENDUM.
Tou often hear It said: Oh, yes
I am in favor of the referendum in lo-
cal affairs, but I do not think It shoutd
of | apply nationally. Such timid souls
should remember that Vie great ma
It is a secret organization. It la a I Jorlty of our people are wido awake to
plain, common sense, practical organ!- I national politics and are quite as able
zation. Every co-operator, every farm- to decide If railroad rate legislation
er and every laboring man should rally or tariff revision, or a ship subsidy
to the support and help In extending should be enacted, as they are on a
Farmers' Kclurr.tlonal and Co-Opera- question of the Issue of state or city
tlve Unions. bonds or on amending the organic law-
Talk to v. - .. l-j'abors, send for an I of their state.
organizer \t once. Organise. I In no other country are newspapers
Persons ' ?n bflnklng, mer- so generally read as In the United
chandislng, \ ' • t'eln? law, or belong- States, and yet we are far behind other
Ing to any trust or combine for the countries In allowing the people a voice
purpose of speculating In agricultural In Important national affairs. This has
products or the necessaries of life, or been well brought out by Dr. C. F. Tay
directly affecting Injuriously the agrl- lor, editor of the Medical World, in
cultural Interest are not eligible to the last Issue ot that magazine, when
membership. | he says:
AN EXPLANATION ttEMANDED.
I noticed In my last Mercury-Pass-
word an editorial notice about our
State minutes, "Unfortunate Delay,"
which I think very timely and abso-
lutely correct I represented my
ctfunty at the Waco meeting, and I
with many others, am greatly sur-
prised that we have not received tho
official minutes of the proceedings of
that meeting long before this. It was
the general Impression of all the dele-
gates that the minutes were to be
printed and distributed among the dif-
ferent Locals over the State within
sixty days. It is now nearly four
months and still no minutes. The
Mercury-Password well said that there
were many important matters dis-
cussed and determined at that meet-
ing, matters which affect the organi-
zation vitally, and which the member-
ship at large should have been fully
Informed on at the earliest possible
moment, by all means before the vote
on the constitutional amendments was
taken. Especially since each Local
would be called upon to vote on the
constitutional amendments as well as
to decide whether or not we should
form a national onion. It is our opin-
ion that every Farmers' Union mem-
ber In Texas is entitled to know just
what was done through printed min-
utes. I have written to our State Sec-
retary twice about the minutes, and
both times he answered, saying they
were In the hands of the printer (Bro.
Pyle), and would be out in a very
short time. That was over two months
ago. We received the proposed amend-
ments to our constitution, unanimous-
ly indorsed same. Somebody is re-
sponsible for this unnecessary delay in
our minutes, and I feel that our people
are entitled to an explanation. I hope
that every Local in the State will en-
dorse all the amendments to our con-
stitution, and thereby possibly defeat
the purpose for which those minutes
are withheld.
Llano County Union will meet with
Valley Springs Union on the last Fri-
day and Saturday in December, and
we expeet to have a good meeting
and a fine time.
F. C. WILLBERN, Secy.
Babyhead, Tex.
ADOPT A SCALE OF PRICES.
We, the members of Bangs Local,
do agree to fix the following schedule
of prices for the products of our toil,
and agree to maintain the same as
near as possible, not only by the mem-
bers of our Local, but by all Union
members, as also persons not mem-
bers, but engaged in various agricul-
tural productions. These prices to be
adhered to as near as may be until
changed by a majority vote of those
affected within this order: Cotton,
15c per lb.; corn, 50c per bu.; wheat,
$1 per bu.; oats, 40c per bu.; cane
seed, $1 per bu.; millet seed, $1 per
bu.; mllo maize, $1 per bu.; Irish po-
tatoes, $1 per bu.; sweet potatoes,
$1 per bu.; peaches, $1 per bu. Hay—
Sorghum, $8 per ton; milo maize, $8
per ton; cafflr corn, $8 per ton; mil-
let, $8 per ton; alfalfa, $12.50 per ton;
beans, $2 pe* bu.; peas, $2 per bu.;
cotton seed, $15 per ton.
Unanimously adopted.
LOUIS GARMS, Secy.
Bangs, Tex.
AN OBJECT LESSON.
At the recent State Fair at Jackson,
Miss., there was on exhibition a bale
of cotton, (market value $55.00), and
right by the side of it was the product
of a simlliar amount of cotton made
into lace, the market value of which
$500,000! One thousand dollars a pound
for cotton made into lace! Just think
of it, brother farmers! Who got the
difference in the price? Isn't it time
we were figuring a little to see why wo
should not have our just share of'what
we produce?—D. E. McNeil, Jones,
Tenn.
STRICTLY BUSINESS.
The Farmers' Union people in Chil-
dress County mean business all along
tho line. Their Locals are vigorous
and active; their members wide-awake
and thoughtful, and are letting no op-
portunity slip to secure every advan-
tage possible for the membership. In
their county paper, the Childress Post,
their business agent advertises a Price
List of goods he has for sale. An ex-
amination will show that money can
be saved by placing orders with him.
Here is the Price List: Lunnber, per
M., from $16 to $27; shingles. H. cy-
press, per M'., $3.60: flour, highest pat-
ent, per 100 lbs., $2.35; coal, domestic
lump, I. T., per ton, $6.60; salt, fine
Michigan, per bbl., $1.35; sack salt,
200 lbs., 85c; Sugar, standard grade,
per 100 lbs., $5; choice T. C. sugar,
per 100 lbs., $4.30; syrup, pure East
Texas ribbon, per gal., 35c; open ket-
tle, Louisiana, choice, per gal., 30c;
rice. Japan, per 100 lbs., $6; roasted
coffee, per lb., 12*6 to 18c; tobacco,
per lb.. Star 39c. Horseshoe 39c.
Hardware.—Riding listers and plant
er# combined, $23; riding cultivators,
6 shovels, $23; riding disc cultivators,
discs, $19.25; wind engines, 8-foot,
$15, 9-foot $17.50, 10-foot, $20; disc
drills nnd seeder attachment, $27.50;
sulky plows, 14-inch, $27.50; wagons,
3-lnch, complete, $50; wagons, 3-Inch,
bola d'arc wheels, $60; family car-
riages, full leather top, $69,75; bug-
gies, full leather top, $50; sewing ma-
chines, 20-year guarantee, drophqad,
$15.22. Every article I sell Is guaran-
teed. I can sell you dry goods at one-
half the retail price in Childress.
sell everything from a cambric needle
to a steam engine. Write me or see
me in person. J. W. Coker, Business
Agent Farmers' Union, Childress, Tex.
DECIDEDLY THE BEST.
"I find the Mercury-Password strict-
ly O. K., decidedly the best of Union
papers. Enclosed find subscription
list. Will send more every little while
The movement Is progressing nicely In
this section." J. A. W1L.LIAMS.
Conway, L T.
T
of county
this
"Norway, has never known any other I and
DO YOU WANT SOME?
My SYRUP is made for QUALITY,
I make and sell the BEST STRICTLY
PURE RIBBON CANE SYRUP and
leave all tha sugar ia it. I want to sup-
ply tho man who eats it with tha beet
Him money, too. I
THE FARMERS' UNION IN KANSAS.
If you want to keep up with the work
in Kansas you should have the Farm-
ers' Advocate, tho mouthpiece of the
Union In Kansas. We can vouch for
the Advocate. It Is wide-awake and
newsy. Send $1.50 and get It and the
Mercury-Password one year. Do it now.
WHICH CLASS DO YOU TRAIN
WITH?
There Is a Judge In New York City
whose wife's father Is a fanatical
churchman. In the course of an ani-
mated discussion of the fatherln-in-
law's views, the Judge said to his wife,
"Molly, I'll tell you what your father
is. As a man, he is a good natured
Irishman, but as a theologian, he is a
savage."
Why is it that so many good people
hold atrocious opinions? The reason
Is that the goodness Is their own. but
their opinions are Imposed upon them
by others.
A man traveling In Rome was sur-
prised to find an old school mate In
the garb of a priest, exhibiting holy
trinkets, and telling Incredible tales
about them. Taking the priest aside
he told him who he was and they
talked over old times.' Then the man
asked tho priest: "How ca*t you be
lleve these things about these trink-
ets?" The priest answered: "My
church tells me .so."
A good Catholic, as well as a good
Protestant, will regret that the In-
fluence of all churches has been used
or rather misused in behalf of a doc-
trine which is the very essence of men-
tal slavery. Men have been taught
that faith is a matter of the will and
that It is a man's duty to believe what
he Is told to believe. Just as a man
can say to his knee, "bend;" Just as
he can say to his head, "bow;" so he
can say to his mind, "believe." That
Is the doctrine. Therefore men have
been reproached for their unbelief.
But it is not a question as to what
a man ought to believe, or what he
would like to believe, or what he Is ex-
pected to believe. It is a question as
to what he «nn believe. It Is blas-
phemous for a man to club to death
the independent thoughts that ariso
within him and try to make himself
believe what Is repugnant to his soul
William Lloyd Garrison said: "The
one distinction and emphatic lesson
which I shall teach my'children la to
take nothing upon mere authority—to
dare to differ in opinion from their
accept or reject It according to their
own convictions of duty."
Nothing that keeps thought out lv
safe from thought.
For there's no virgin-fort but self-
respect.
And Truth defensive hath lost hold
on God.
Ask the priest why he teaches the
ancient error. He says, "My church
tells me to." Ask the soldier why he
hews and hacks his brother, he says,
"My general commands me to." Men
are forever thinking what priest and
politician say, what is written In the
creeds and constitutions, as though
that were more important to them than
what is written in their hearts and
what their own good sense tells them
to be fair and right. They Justify
their conduct by external rules and
silence, reason by appeals to authority.
Progress lags because there are so
many who dare not trust themselves
but submit to the tyranny of other
people's thoughts. This undue defer-
ence to authority is the quagmire in
which the world sticks. ,
HERBERT S. BIGELOW.
Cincinnati, O.
COME, LET US REA80N TO-
GETHER.
In my mind's eye I see a farmer
leaning on his hoe, meditating. On
his left I see politicians by the score
offering him advice, while on his right
I notice various labor unions endeav-
oring to attract his attention by a dis-
play of labels. Directly on front I see
an Incongruous gathering, with out-
stretched hands holding documents to
prove what they have done for the
farmer.
I don't like to question the honesty
or purposes of any of these groups.
The question is, can the advice eman-
ating from these various sources be
harmonized? Let us turn on the search-
light.
I? it to the Interest of the money-
lending institutions and large bond-
holders of this country to aid or en-
able every farmer to own a home—
and thereby get loose from the iport-
gage and credit system? Does that
class actually wish to abolish land
rent, usury, etc.? Does not the farm-
er's inability to pay, place him at the
mercy of the large landholder and the
money lenders of the land?
If the commander of an army during
a fierce battle were to send a dispatch
to the commander of the opposing
forces that the latter's soldiers and
gunners were aiming accurately—
neither too high nor too low—what
would you think? Anyone who will
tell you that this is not a fair illustra-
tion of the case in hand is either a
perplexed philosopher or a traitor to
humanity.
But some will say, "Do not antago-
nize the financial interests of the capi-
talists." We know that they are rid-
'ng on our backs. We seem to want
to pec them off, nnd icave tham un-
der the Impression that they are still
on our backs. On the other hand, the
capitalists are practicing the sarnie de-
ception.
The Farmers' Union must steer clear
of the Southern Cotton Association
and all unnatural alliances of conflict-
ing economic interests."
J. J. DEAVER.
Bel ton, Tex.
A MUTUAL RELATIVE.
A late story of Irish wit is located
in New Orleans. An Irishman boarded
a train in which every seat except one
was occupied by two people. This seat
had as occupants a young sport and a
large, shaggy dog. The Irishman stood
by the seat expecting that room would
be made for him. The young man did
not take the hint, but regarded the
other, who was poorly dressed, with 111-
dlsgul3ed scorn. At last the Irishman
remarked:
"That's a foine looking dog ye have
with ye. What breed is it?"
"It's a cross between a skunk and
an Irishmun," was the sneering answer.
Sliure then, it's a relative of both
of us," was tho Instant retort.'
A LIVE COUNTY UNION.
"I have Just drifted In from Bastrop
County. Glad to report a county or-
ganization with thirteen Locals. Wo
are up-to-date, and Unionism is still
on a boom. Bro. Davis of Elgin, Tex.,
is organizer for Bastrop County. Jliosa
wishing his services can sing out. The
writer will rest up for at least a few
weeks, and will work for the grand
old educator, the Mercury-Password.
May the Lord help us, and continue to
bless us in our efforts for the right."—
Joseph Howe. Gano. Tex.
They said you couldn't—but you did!
They said the American patriots
couldn't win their freedom—but they
did! They said the French revolution
wouldn't, revolutionize—but it did!
They said the Russian serfs would
never assert their rights—but they
did. They said that kingcraft would
never perish from the earth—but it Is
perishing! They said that right would
never triumph—but it sometimes does!
They said that the Farmers Union
would never amount to anything—but
it is revolutionizing the methods of
marketing one ot the world's greatest
staples. And the Farmers Union has
"Just begun to fight." Nacogdoches
Plalndealor.
An Interesting sketch of the success-
or of the lamented "Golden Rule" Jones
to the office of Mayor of Toledo, Brand
Whltlock, will be found on page seven.
Mr. Whltlock is a novelist of distinc-
tion, and if he can attain toward the
high political standard set by his noble
predecessor, his chances will be excel-
lent for making an enduring name as
an absolutely honest, fearless official,
who truckles not to wealth, corporation
Influences nor political combinations in
the slightest degree.
ARKANSA8^0VING UP.
We are moving now. New members
are betng addeded every meeting.
Everything Is In a prosperous condi-
tion. Crops are about gathered. Our
cotton turned out very well. Most ot It
has been sold. The Mercury-Password
Is one of the best papers published.
No Union man should be without it.—
Luclen Vfcater,J3ecretaiy. Carotan. Ark.
Better file this number. Ton may
General Headquarters, Dallas, Tax.
E A. Calvin, President, 250 Elm
street.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
F. W. Davis, Woodbine, Chairman;
J. D. Jameson, Whitney, Secretary; Ck
M. Garner, Snyder; M. A. Clifton. Cliff}.
J. R. Luce, Grapeland, Rt. S.
J. A. Wheeler, Vice-President,
B. F. Chapman, Secretary.
J. D. Montgomery, Organizer.
D. J. Neal, Lecturer.
J. P. Lane, Chaplain.
J. T. Mahon, Dook Keeper.
A. C. Neece, Conductor.
John T. Garner, Business Agent.
FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL A
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF
AMERICA.
;/
>
INDIAHOMA STATES UNION.
Headquarters, Shawnee, Okie.
S. A. Daws, President, Cordell, O. T.
J. P. Connors, Vice-President, Cana-
dian, I. T.
J. W. Harrison, Sec.-Treas., Shawnee,
Okla..
Rev. P. C. E&stls, Chaplain, Snyder, O. T.
J. H. Keltner, Conductor, StonewalL
I. T.
J. E. Gunter. Doorkeeper. Muldrow. L T.
EXECUTIVE COMMTTEE.
J. W. Corley. Chm'n, ft i «re, I. T.; W.
H. Lancaster, Secy., Roff T. T.; Camp*
bell Russell, Hereford, 1. T.; R. L. Nes«
bit. Lexington, I. T.; R. J. Ward, Oak
Lodge, I. T.
LOUISIANA STATE UNION.
L. N. Holmes, President, Bernice.
J. E. Bullard, Vice-President, Belmont.
J. W. Boyett, Jr., Sec.-Treas., Tannehllt,
S. T. Williams, Organizer, Grand Can*
J. A. Ambrose, Chaplain, Rnston.
A. B. Cole. Conductor, Doyllne.
Thos. McCain. Doorkeeper, Brown.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
W. T. Field, Chairman, Dubberly;
H. Wise, Secretary, Bernice; W. L. Par*
ker, Paragon; N" A. Culberson, Blene
ville, Rt. 1; L N. McCollister, Rattan.
ALABAMA STATE UNION.
« Headquarters, Gala. Ala.
I. A. Worley, President, Guin. .*
H. Pearson, Vice-President, Farmer.
E. J. Cook, Sec.-Treas., Guin.
W. A. Morris. Organizer, Sulllgent.
T. E. Plnegar, Lecturer, Sterling.
G. H. Bean, Chaplain, Adger, Rt. 1.
J. N. Hutto, D. K. Lincoln.
Geo. W. Short. Cond.. Drlfton.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
H. T. Nation, Chm'n., Cordova; J. A
Fanning. Secy., Hanceville, Rt. 4: I. N«
Bishop, Eatonton; E. Hughes, Annisto%
Rt. 2; J. W. Sorrel, Jemlson, Rt. 2.
GEORGIA STATE UNION.
Headquarters, Tbomoston, Ga.
C. S. Barrett. President. Atwater.
W. P. Quinby, Vice-Pres., Cartersvlllo.
R. F. Duckworth, Sec.-Treas., Thomaaa
ton.
C. L. Gowan, Organizer, Waleska
Robt. L. Barron. Lecturer, Hendricks.
J. C. Venable. Chaplain. Lawrencevilla,
J. W. Gill. Conductor. Woodbury.
Jno. D. Morgan, D. K., Sycamore.
R. A. Wilbanks, Sergeant-at-arms, Bu«
ford.,
Executive committee.
S. S. Barrett. Chm'n., Zebulon; S.
Smith. Seo'y.. Silver City; J. D. Anders
son, Batesville; J. H. Doyle, ThomaM
ton; W. T. Hogue, Draketon.
• ARKANSAS STATE UNION.
Headquarters, Conn-ay, Ark.
J. T. Batten. President, Tuckerman. ,
H. B Walker. Vice-Pres., Mixon.
Ben L. Griffin, Sec.-Treas.. Conway.
J W. Comer. 'Chaplain. Greenwood.
J. H. Keith, IX K.. Malvern.
John A. Blackford. Con.. Jonesboro.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. •
R. H. McOulloch. Chirm. Beebe: A. R.
Austin. Secy., Oilkey; J. Coleman Pal-
mer. Blacltton: O. P. Nixon, Clinton; U
A. Reece, Shover Springs.
COUNTY UNION MEETINGS.
Llano Co., Dec. 29-30—Valley Springs
Local.
Garland Co. (Ark).—Jan. 5-6, Moun-
tain Valley Local.
San Augustine Co.—Jan. 5, at Ma«
cune Local.
Rockwall—Dec. 9. Blockdale.
Eastland—Dec. 13. 14, Eastland City.
Robertson—Dec. 8, 9, Easterly, nine
miles north of Franklin.
Rockwall County, Dec. 9th, Black-
dale Local, four miles south of Royse.
Marlon Co., Ala.—Dec. 7-9, Hulsey,
S. -H.
Blount Co., Ala.—Nov. 24-25, Pin#
Bluff.
Angelina—Dec. S, 9, Dunn.
Brown—Dec. 8, 9. High Top.
Polk—.Tan. 11-12, Caney Creek.
Johnson—Jan. 5, Lee's Academy.
Pickens Co., Ala.—Dec. 5. Flatwoods.
Anderson, Jan. 11, Sulphur Springs.
Boyd Dlst. Union (Wi3e Co.)—Dea
23 at Newark.
Jack—Dec. 22-23. Kaiser S. H.
Hood—Dec. 15, Granbury.
Garland Co., Ark.—Jan. 5, 6, Moun-
tain Valley.
Faukner Co., Ark.—Jan. 2-3, Horse-
shoe.
Garland County Union (Ak£.) will
meet with Mountain Valley local, Jan-
uary 5 and 6. 1906.
THE PROUD AMERICAN.
(From the Newark News.)
The man is boasting.
He says American produces enough
food to feed the whole world.
Having spoken, he goes to the mar-
Kct.
And pays forty-five cents for a plcca
of beefsteak as big as your hand.
And thirty-five cents for a peck of
potatoes.
And walks home because he naa
spent all his money.
It is wrong to boast.
father and from all the worM—to un
- need to refer to tho article on rents
A BIG BARGAIN.
I have 30 head of thoroughbred reg-
istered Red Polled Cattle bulle, heif-
ers and calves—thoroughly acclimated
and first-grade in every reepect. If you
want a start now is your chance. Write
for particulars. MILTON PARK.
Gaston Bldg^ Dallas, Tea.
ROWDEN COTTON SEED.
Great reduction In price of Rowden
cotton seed. On account of short crops
and hard times with farmers, we havo
reduced the price 60 cents per busheW
Catalogue free. Address
ROWDEN BROS.,
Wills Paint, Tex.
If there is a man In your community
whom you feel should become a mem-
ber of the Farmers Union, see that bo
reads a few copies of the Mercury-
Password. It would do the work. Tho
locala who have tried the experiment
say It rarely ever tells.
There Is no better way to make
local llvety and Interesting that by get-
ting every member to subscribe for tho
-Pasaword. Those who
V,
11
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Southern Mercury United with the Farmers Union Password. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 1905, newspaper, December 7, 1905; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186220/m1/4/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .