The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-01-29
A WAKE COUNTY FARMERS
VIEWS.

OhhS1 WILLIE LALLAANOGJ NV w.
Col. j.. L. PoLK.--Dear Sr:-As [
have been appointed Corresponding
Secretary of our Alliance, I take it for
granted that something is expected of
me in the way of a short communica-
ton. What to say, or where to begin,
I hardly know, as there is so much for
US to look after and write about, if we
do our duty to each other.
The status of monopoly, by Mr..
OVERLY, is certainly worth our earnest
consideration, and Uncle Steve's me-
anderings ought to open our eyes and
make us see what a lamentable fix we
occupy, and all join hands and second
the resolve, "That we are a nation of
farmer-fools." Some of US, I am
afraid, cannot even boast of home
made cats, for l have seen them
shipped to u place, though they may
have been bred in our State, and [
hope they were 1t strikes me, Mr..
Editor and farmer brethren, that we
ought not only to take hold, but to all
pull together. We must not imagine
ourselves only a literary body with
nothing else to do. We want to find
out by meeting each other the cheapest
way to make and save all the crops
which we cultivate. We ought to
make ourselves familiar with the laws
of the country, and at the same time
enquire if there is not Legislation that
we need, and ought to demand. If
we continue to allow other people to
make our laws for us and do not de.
mand our rights, are we not to blame?
Can we expect anything if we lie idle
and do not demand what is due us,
the hardest working people on the
face of the earth? That we as a class
are getting poorer every day of our
lives, no one can deny! Is it not impera.
tive that something must be done, and
we can do whatever is best for us if
we will only continue to pull together,
and remember that, while it may be a
struggle for us now, that in union
there is strength, and that the day is
not far distant when by united effort
we a and will WELD a mighty power
in our land. EveryQvocatlon of life
seems to be well organized and against
us, but let us be careful and patient,
never responding never willing to
give up until we r properly recog-
nized and our just demands listened
to. Even merchants in our little one
horse towns have their organizations
and do dictate terms for us, and we
have heretofore been bowling in humble
submission. How on the face of the
earth we have lived and fed the world
as long as we have, is a perfect miracle,
taking in consideration how we have
been abused and every effort made by
trading men to reduce us to poverty;
and to think, brother farmers, that we
have submitted so1long to the out
RACES practiced upon us ! If we don't
already hold the balance of power, we
can by united effort, and it behooves
US to act and act. promptly. 1 don't
think it is right for us to bite a cent
in two to keep half of it, but LIDO
think, Mr. Editor, that our Subordinate
Alliances ought to look after things
around home, for they can accomplish
a great deal, and not to depend entire
ly on what our State or County Bus1-
ness Agent may be able to do for US.
AS a rule we lack energy and push at
home among sub-lodges.
In conclusion, I would state that we
organized with seventeen members,
and that now we have forty members
who r willing to roll up their sleeves
and go to work for anything that will
be for the good of our order.
Let us take hold of everything as
we did the bagging trust, that seeks to