St. Landry democrat., 1889-07-20
The Farmers Alliance.

Editor DEMOCRAT :-One of the most
auspiciOus events which is now trans
piring in our parish is the effort that is
being made by the members OF the Far
mers' Alliance to promote and advance
the interests of their order. Certainly,
no one will undertake to deny the bene-
ticial results which must inevitably flow
from the formation and perpetuation of
such an order in our parish.
Following in the line of other States,
the people of our parish are thoroughly
alive to the necessity of establishing
and maintaining an organization which
has at heart the welfare of the farming
element.
To the farmers we owe the welfare
and prosperity of our country, and were
it not for them, stagnation IN all com
mercial circles would soon take place.
The farmers constitute the bone and
sinew OF our people, and 1t is their toll
and energy, their perseverance, and
pluck, which brings in the shape OF re-
munerative crops the substance through
which every man in every calling is
either directly or Indirectly indebted
for his livelihood.
Take the farmers from among us, and
let Mother Earth cease to yield her in
crease, and the sure consequence will be
that poverty, want and penury will. like
a dark cloud, hang over and envelope
our people. If, then, so much depends
upon the farmers, is 1t not emlnentiy
proper that they should adopt all those
means and measures which will tend to
build up and maintain their institution?
AS an evidence of the earnest man
ner in which the Farmers Alliance are
proceeding, they recently held a large
meeting and had fine barbecue at Pine
Prairie on "1ndependence day. This
anniversary day was fitting occasion
upon which to have the meeting. This
day is an auspiciOus one in our country,
being the epoch from which we date our
independence, and should always be
venerated and celebrated by our peo-
pie.
Mr.. Eli Clark was elected President
of the Alliance, and the committee COM
posed of j. j. Thompson, NJ. Robert, G.
". Ward, o. Lafleur and A. l.. Fonte-
not were selected with full powers to
take such steps as are necessary in the
furtherance Of the present purposes of
the order. With such men in the lead
we can confidently look forward to an
era of prosperity for the Alliance.
No right thinking man, who has the
real interest of his parish at heart, can
fail to give bis approval to the course
now being pursued by the members OF
the Alliance, and it is the duty of every
one to tester and encourage their efforts
so as to let them SEQ that they are meet
ing with the favorable sentiment of
the people. Every thing should be done
which has a tendency to dignity, emo
BILE and exalt the life of the farmer, and
the methods now being pursued by the
Alliance will go far towards attaining
this desirable end,
Let it be once known that to be far
mer means to e8alt your position and
to bring you in close union with that
large body of men who have embarked
in agricultural pursuits, and the time
will soon arrive W fen the rising gener
alton, instead of crowding the profes-
sions, or standing behind the counters,
earning inconsiderables salaries, with lit.
tie or no prospect of promotion, will
form the better resolution of becoming g
and in this way assist IN devel-
opipg that industry and in bringing
honor and respect upon the calling in
which they wil! have embarked.
Although the writer belongs to pro-
fession which prevents him from be-
coming member of the order, still it
does not prevent him from feeling an
interest in their achievements and wish
ing them SUCCESS in all their undertak-
Ings.
Very respectfully.
JOHN N. OGDEN.