The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-11-04
A PLEA FOR ORGANIZATION.
Essay Read Before the storeville Farm
ers' Club, by T. L. Clinkscales, and Pub
lIshed by Request of the Club.

Mfr. President and gentlemen Of the
Farmers Club: In compliance with
your request, I have made the effort to
say something on the subject Of organi'
cation. It is a subject in which l feel
great interest, and about which I have
much anxiety. Farming is one of the
noblest occupations of our land, and we
should feel proud of the name. If we
could only persuade our farmers to be.
lieve that there was necessity for us to
organize, we could begin to rise to the
position that we should occupy in life.
There is no necessity for me to say that
in 'unity there is strength" That, you
all know. For instance, if you want
money out of the bank, you have to get
two men to unite With you to get it, and
if we can get money, or the necessities of
life by two or three uniting together, can
we not accomplish more by neighbor-
hoods, or townships uniting? Suppose
that this or any other neighborhood
would unite, could we not buy our goods
cheaper? That is not all, we could come
together and talk about farming, give
our experience in managing our farms,
care of stock, cutting and curing hay-we
can learn from one another. The other
day freedman came TO my house to
grind an axe. learned something from
him about keeping water on the
grindstone, and we can always learn
something from oneanother, however
humble one may be. Gentlemen, do
wish that we could get the farmers 10
unite, not only for saving money, but to
be social with one another. That is one
thing We need. We should not be so
much for self. Lcok at men of all other
professions, the merchants, mechanics,
doctors and all others, even those who
make theil living by hiring" knights
of Labor" are all organized, and yet we
are the back bone and sinew of the
country, and have no concert of action
among US. Come, brother farmers, let us
not be laggards, let us rise to the position
ne should occupy. Do not let us be afraid
of each other. We will not do you any
harm by organizing. Don't be afraid of
loosing half a day or one day by attend
ing your club. You will gain in several
ways. Don't wait for some one to lead
off, go at it yourself, get q few together
and let others see what can be done, and
do not be discouraged if your numbers
are small and some are careless about
coming to your meeting.
What can we accomplish without
patience and perseverance,? "Large
streams from little fountains how," so
let few of US try to accomplish some-
thing by organization. A few of us
know what the grange did for US, and
because some one made few dollars out
of it more than the private; they fell out
with it, or rather fell back into the
merchants hands.
Gentlemen, We cannot run any bust,
ness and make it a success without money,
and we, as farmers, seem to be content to
let things go without any effort to help
ourselves. We can accomplish some
thing, let US rise and do it. One reason
we farmers do not unite, I am tempted to
say, is from ignorance. 1 heard a
person slandering our club the other day,
by saying our object was to put labor
down 10 six dollars per month for grown
hands, and three dollars per month for
plow boys. The object of organization
is to benefit all and iDjure none. 1 want
US to try to do something in our club to
redeem the name of farmers.