The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-24

crack in their shoe-leather, if they are
paid for, and can afford no better, that
is all right. [ know from experience
poverty is a bitter draught, yet ii. may,
and can, be gulped down much better
than debt, although it takes conside-
able waU-poa0er to do it. ""The present
indiscriminate credit system is a laby-
rinth,". the entrance is easy enough
but how to, get out is the question.
1t is an endless chain of one link,
breaks in a particular community, it
degrades the whole, the conclusion
may break many more, create a panic
and the chain becomes useless. If this
misfortune would cure the evil it
would be a blessing in disguise, but
so deeply rooted is this system among
us that no sooner. is n chain de-
stroyed than another is manufactured;
an increasing weight is put upon it,
some of it's links snap another concus-
sion is produced and creates a new
panic; car after a rushes down the
inclined plane Of bankruptcy increas-
ing the mass of broken fragments and
general ruin also commingled that a
philadelphia lawyer aided by con-
stables and sheriffs can bring but lit
tie order out of the confusion" On
every hand we see people living on
credit, putting off pay day to the last,
and when that day does come, and
come it will, with what a desperate
effort to borrow, beg or scrape the
money together some way, then,
struggling on again with the canker of
care eating at their heart to the ineff-
able goal of bankruptcy. If people
would only make a push at the begin
ming instead of the end they would
save themselves so much misery.
Washington and his lady were exam
pies of industry plainness frugality
and economy, and thousands of others
of the wealthy labored in the field and
kitchen in older times before folly
superseded wisdom and fashion drove
comon sense off the track. A life of
full and constant employment is the
only safe and happy one. The best
capital in nine cases out OF ZEN a young
man can start out in the world with is
robust health, sound morals, a fine in
telligence and a aDaU to work his way
honestly and bravely, and it may be
possible a trade, whether he follows it
for a livelihood or not. The grandest
fortunes ever accumulated or possessed
on earth we're and are the "fruits of
endeavor" that had no capital to be-
gin with save energy, intellect and
the wiH. Work is the order Of the
day, we are glad it is, although we
may feel we are doing but little in
this great field, let us make sure work
as we 60 " one step and then another
and the longest walk is ended" The
world was not created in a day, Rome
was not built in a day." neither can
this Alliance do it's work in a day
but much may, and a be accom-
plished in a decade. We look back a
few years and we see what the farmers
have done, not benefting themselves,
tbs true but we see how they have
been building up almost every other
branch of trade. IT'S through the
farmer they are filing their safes with
gold, and by his honest labor and the
economy of his poor, tired wife they
are building handsome residences and
furnishing them in splendor, while as
a general rule the farmer must con-
tent himself with a mere shelted and
the wife have no conveniences scarcely
at all. I don't mean to say this is
done directly but tbs done indirectly,
and just so long as we farm on the
present system we will find we r
growing from bad to worse. Let us
rouse ourselves from this lethargy; if
we can do so much to build up other
homes and industries of course we can
our own. Put cotton in the back
ground and plant your best acreage in
grain. Let US all put our shoulders
to this great wheel, the Alliance and all
push with n purpose in view-inde-
pendence and freedom. We, as sisters of
this Alliance may feel we are silent
factors in this work; we know we con-
stantly need something to lean upon,
like the ~honeysuckle upon the tree or
fence. Let us so entwine ourselves
around our brothers that should we be
taken away they will feel they are
tottering and al hardly stand. Let
us be ready to consider, advise with,
and listen to every arrangement they
may feel interested in, and right here
brethren, we would say, advise with
your wives; tell them your plans and
prospects, you may all do that; hope