davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
nrpEcToRY OF FARMERS OR
CARNATIONS.

.oerH CAROLINA FARMERS STATE ALLIANCE
Presidents. B. Alexander, Charlotte,
Yioe-President-T. Ivey, Ashpole, NC.
Secretary. l. Polk, Raleigh, n u
Freasurer-J. d. Allen, Falls, N: =.
Lecturer-Dr. D. Reid Parker, Trinity
College, N. G.
LAurinburg, n. G.
vile, n. G. >.
Door Keeper-W. r. Tomlinson, Fay
etteville, N. @.
Assistant Door Keeper 7. Rush,
Mt. Gilead, n. @. >,
Sergeant-at-Arms- s. Holt Chalk
Level, n. G.
State Business Agent-W. A -Darden.
rxpoUT1vE COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH oARo-
LIMA FARMERS sTATE ALLIANCE.
Elias Carr, Old Sparta, N. O.. Chair
man; Thaddeus Ivey, Ashpole, N. O.; j. 3.
Johnston, Rufin, N. c..
THE NORTH CA RoI1NA FARMERS ASSOCIATION.
President-Elfas Carr, Old Sparta,
Edgecombe county.
B. F. Hester, Oxford, Secretary; >.
OthO wilson, vineyard, anu W. L. D0n
bow, Oak Ridge, Assistant Secretaries.
VIRGINIA STATE ALLIANCE.
President-G. t. Barbee, Bridgewatar,
Virginia
Vioe-President-T. B. Massey, Wash
ington, Virginia. -
Secretary. J. Silvey, Amlssvllle,
Virginia.
Treasurer Printz, Luray, Vir-
ginia
Lecturer-G. Fl. Chrisman, Chrisman,
Virginia.
Asst Lecturer. S. Bradley, Luray,
Virginia.
Chaplain-Wm. NJ. Rosser, Luray,
Virginia.
Door Keeper-B. Frank Beahm, Kim
ball, Virginia.
Asst. Door Keeper-G. E. Brubaker,
Luray, Virginia.
Sergt-at-Arms-C. 81. Lillard, Wash
ington, Virginia.
State Business Agents.. P. A. Bru-
baker, of Lursy, Virginia.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
e T. Brumback, JAS E. Compton and
Geo. 81. Chrisman.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
RALEIGH, N. c., JULY %, 1889.

you burden those noble and generous
brethren who have st BOD up so nobly
and contributed SO freely and have
been expecting aid from you2 Have
you done your duty? Are you true
Alliance man? If you have not paid
anything to this great cause I fear
you have broughtFeproach upon your
self, and let me beg you as one who
feels great interest in you, and your
children after you, to repent in dust
and ashes and go and perform your
duty. Fraternally,
JANss GRAFT.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
A LETTER FROM MEcKLEN-
BURG,

July Z, 1889.
Mr.. EDITOR:-It has been some
time since you heard from Beach Cliff.
one of the Oldest, if not the Oldest
Alliance in Mecklenburg county.
There was new set of officers elected
some time since and we are moving
along harmoniously. Fine crops,
especially corn; cotton is off some
points, as they say, at the bucket shop
IN Charlotte; that is, the stand is not
extra, but what there is looks we'll
We are having fine seasons, but dam
aging the small grain a little. The
farmers of this section will have no
corn to buy next year; the crop is
better along the Catawba than it has
been in six years. More hogs listed
in this township this year than has
been in five years and the prospect for
pork is f1attering, All the farmers
are more cheerful than usual, and l
think it is from the working of the
Alliance. We are pushing to be
ready for Bro. Tracy on the oath of
this month, when we will turn out en-
naasse. AS that able journal, the
Charlotte Democrat has wisely said,w
will nominate our own president for
that important position which has
been SO ably filed by Capt. Sgd Alex
ander, think by far more important
than the one now held by Daniel G..
Fowle. Yes, we will have Simon
pure farmer for our next president
without any trading or lobbying, and
| would just say l think the farmers
of the western part of the State, pro-
vided it suits the eastern part of the
State, would be satisfied with Elias
Carr or Thad Ivey to lead us for the
next two years.
j. SPRINGS DAVIDSON.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
GOOD SUGGESTIONS.

ORMoND N. O., July 10, 1889.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Very timely and we'll
put are your editorial remarks upon
the necessity of educating our mem
bers upon the great problems of politi-
cal and industrial economy which now
confront. US. 1 can conceive of no
better way of effecting this than by
putting in the field a number of lee
turers, as you suggest. Did the state
of our treasury permit, four lecturers
could be employed to advantage, but
as this is doubtful, we should at least
put two State lecturers in the field at
an early day. Divide the State into
eastern and western fields then select
the very best men we have for the
work, men thoroughly acquainted
with the condition of the people and
possessing full acquaintance also
with the manner of growing and mar
keting the staple crops in their re-
spective fields, pay them a reasonable
salary and require them to devote
their whole time to the work Sup
plement the labors of these State lee
lures who can only make county ap-
pointments, by a system of county
lecturers, who shall visit and lecture
to each Alliance in their respective
counties at least twice a year; also
pay them a reasonable per diem for
each day devoted to this work, out of
their county treasures. Then require
each lecturer of Sub Alliances to give
notice, one meeting in advance, of the
subject to be discussed at the next
meeting, that the members may pre-
pare for an intelligent participation in
the discussion. Very important is it
for these laborers to be furnished with
the very best tools for their work, in
the shape Of their State and National
organs also with one of the best gen
eral newspapers of the county that
they may keep themselves thoroughly
posted upon all questions of the day.
One of the chief causes of the many
ills affecting us is to be found in the
Observation-Disclosures
pursued by the farmers. Leaving
other classes to do the thinking, has
resulted in their shaping all legisla-
tion to their advantage and our detri-
ment. We have reached the most
critical period in the life of all organ
izations. The excitement incident to
the work of organizing has in a great
measure passed, and we now have in
the State splendid army of $4,000
Alliance men, who must be kept
actively employed or else they will
fall prey to inaction, that most
deadly foe to all organized bodies.
Fraternally,
J. B. Smith.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
A WORD OF ADVICE.
FALLING CREEK ALLIANCE, No. 445,
Wouno oo11ptU limo 2 100

FALLING CREEK ALLIANCE, NO. 440,
Wayne county, June 3, '89.
Mr.. EDIToR:-It has been a good
long time since you heard from our
Alliance. 1t has increased in number
considerably. We are getting up
more life and energy in our work
than we have had heretofore. Corn
and cotton are looking well for this
season of the year; small grain not so
good. Rain is not so plentiful as last
year.
l said you had not heard from US
in some time. Now, brethren, hear,
one and all. The first meeting in this
month is the time to electnew officers;
look out and get good ones. Your
best men are needed to lead you over
rugged ways and through dark ra-
vines.
Brethren, see that your Alliance
does more good work in the new ALI
ance year now coming in than it did
in the old year now going out. Stand
firm to the order and victory is ours.
The Business Agency Fund, O my
Fifty thousand dollars wanted, eigh-
teen thousand collected What are
we all doing, brethren? Are we all
asleep, or are we prostrated in negli-
gence and reposing in slumber that
knows no waking -? Something must
be done, and the sooner the better.
Now, let us try plan that cannot fail
and ono RI of mill olaor o,,r ooreo;orooe
This is it: Every person who sub
scribed last year, and failed to pay,
come forward the first day of Novem-
Der next and pay the amount he sub
scrlbed over to the Secretary and he
will forward it to the Trustee.
Let new member and members
who have not subscribed come forward
and subscribe freely and literally;
and, furthermore, let every Alliance
in North Carolina that has any sur.
plus treasury money contribute that
also. We must sleep no longer
We must have the required amount
or short will be our race.
The Alliance is the greatest move
ment for the laboring class of people
that has ever happened in this coun-
try, and is the only remedy by which we
can save ourselves from destruction
OF these internal monopolies and CON-
blnes. Why, with the Alliance for
our guide, we see "the wide, the un-
bounded prospects which lie before
us" the prospects of a happy life of
undisturbed repose. L imagine I see
some few little sap-headed, so-called
members of the Alliance who are
members and who are not dead,beats
dead-heads, SO to speak, who would
contribute to the Agency Fund. but
they don't believe the Alliance will
ever do much.
You, my brethren, are dishonest if
you are that kind of men; you do steal
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
FARMERS CELEBRATE THE
FOURTH.
GLIDEN, n. c., July 5th, '89.

GLIDEN, N. c., July 5th, '89.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Albemarle Grange,
No. 574, and Mintonville Alliance,
No. -- of Gates county, n. c.,
came together in a farmers meeting
at Warmack church to celebrate the
old glorious Fourth, by having a
pleasant time and showing their appre-
citation of the independence of our
great nation.
Between nine and ten o'clock large
bodies of people had assembled at the
place appointed, with provisions of all
kinds, AMI by arrangement of COM
mittee, a splendid dinner was lavishly
handled. By the programme as
agreed to by both orders of farmers,
at or near 2 o'clock p. M A. J. Ward
called the meeting to order, and to
open the work, Rev. NJ. L. Green led
off in stirring prayer to Almighty
God for our deiverence, after which
A. ]. Ward read the declaration of
independence which was listened to
with strict attention, after which Miss
Emily L. Bergman read an essay on
the farmers banding themselves to-
gether for their own protection.
Then John M. Trotman, Esq, of
Mintonsville Alliance, made stirring
speech by presenting the cause of
independence and the cause that the
farmers were aiming at. Then Rev.
M. L. Green being brought forward,
made a noble speech, taking in the
work of Providence and this great
nations progress as tillers of the soil.
On motion, it was ordered that
committee of each order be ap-
pointed at their next meeting to confer
together in regard to celebrating
the next Fourth of July. The
exercises being over, it was ordered
the proceedings be sent to The Pro
GREssIvE FARMER with the request to
publish. The meeting closed by prayer
by NJ E. Green.
Truly, A. ]. WARD,
Chairman.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
THE BRETHREN IN BURKE.

CoNNELLY SPRINGS, Burke Co., N. C.,
July 8, 1889.
Mr.. ED1ToR:-At a meeting of
Berry's School House Farmers ALI
ance, held on the 10Th of June, 1889.
it being the time for the annual cleo
tion of officers, Bro. W. A. Wilson
was elected President, A. P. Sally
Vice-President, and your humble
scribe Secretary and Business Agent
for the ensuing year.
The meeting was conducted very
harmoniously, and the brethren seemed
imbued with the Alliance spirit and
are resolved to get all the good pos
sible to be derived from being Ali
ance men. The following resolutions
were discussed and adopted:
RESOLVED, That weadopt the articles
of incorporation as passed by the last
Legislature of North Carolina for the
State Farmers Alliance.
Re8vIoed, That we approve of the
cons olidation of the Alliance and
Wheel as one body corporate, and in
dorse the proposed Constitution and
Bylaws of the Farmers and Laborers'
Union of America and instruct our
delegates to the County and State
Alliance to urge the consumation of
the same We have not taken any
stock in the Business Agency Fund
yet, but expect to contribute the sur.
plus in our treasury at an early day.
Wishing THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER
much success, we remain,
Yours fraternally,
W. w. AIKEN, Sec'y-
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23

from yourselves and all othAr labor
ing men in the whole South every day
of your lives, but still you claim to be
an Alliance MAJ. You are nothing
but a drawback and a load of dead
weight to be dragged about. You
had better be out of the Alliance than
in it. You are calculated TO Lead
some one else astray. Some Of thes" So
called Alliance members say they had
better quit the Alliance until they
get done their crops. Lord have
mercy on such membersI What
trifing excuses |! Such members can
attend all other assemblies in good
faith, except the one on which the
prosperity of their whole future de-
ponds. ....
Now. brethren, we should look at
things as they are. We should make
new and strong resolutions and stand
by them and the principles of the
Alliance.
would be glad to know that |
have not reached any ones case; and,
further, l hope you all think about
these matters as l think: "Sink or
swim, live or die, survive or perish,
let us resolve to stand by the
Alliance
Yours fraternally,
J. F. F., Lecturer.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
A SUGGESTION WORTHY OF
CONSIDERATION.
THoMAsv1LLE, N. c., July 8, 'S9.

TOWNSVILLE, n. c., July 8, '89,
Mr.. EDITOR:-l beg little space IN
the columns of our organ, The Pro
GREssIvE FARMER, to call the attention
Of the brethren to the advisability OF
having meeting of all the county
Business Agents of the State, to be
held as some time during the days OF
the annual meeting of the Farmers
State Alliance at Fayetteville. l think
such meeting would be very profit
able to the order / think | could
give some points to the brethren in
council, and know / could gain
some points from them. This meet
ing together, face to face, and inter
changing the plans and methods of
conducting our agencies, is worth
more than writing a hundred letters
to each other and far more satisfac-
tory. And, besides, our State Busi-
ness Agent would be with us and we
could gain all the information he has,
and we would more thoroughly under
stand each other and be better pre-
pared to accomplish our great pur-
pose and act together more as a unit
| will digress a little and remark that
l have accomplished, by far, more
good financially for the brethren Of
my county by the frequent calling to-
gether of the Sub b-Business Agents
than l could have done by trying to
post them up by writing-hence
l am proud to say that we thoroughly
understand each other, and are work
ing with perfect harmony and as a
unit. The strength of a County
Agen; depends upon the efficiency of
the Sui Agents, the success of the
Sub-Agents depends upon the united
action of their respective Alliances,
and the power and strength of the
State Agent lies in the grand and
united efforts of all In Union there
is strength, but the greater the
union the greater the strength and
greater the victory-greater the
united efforts the greater the benefits.
While the moral, social and intellec-
tual features of the Alliance are grand
and noble, I do not agree with some
of the brethren when they say that
the financial feature is the least of
them ALL l think the financial fea-
ture is the greatest-for, benefit a man
financially and you prepare him bet
ter, If he as q true Alliance man, to
enjoy the moral, social and intellec-
tual features. If the financial feature
of the Alliance had been left out I
don't think there would be quite l,847
Alliances in the State, as there are to-
day. Therefore, brethren, we see the
necessity of raising the Business
Agency Fund-at must be raised-we
cannot afford to fail in the attempt.
Bro. Darden and the County Business
Agents shall we have the meeting l
have suggested +?
Fraternally,
J. W. UPCHURCH,
G.. B. A. of Davidson.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
ALLIANCE NEWS FROM HERT-
FORD.
. W1NroN, N. C., july. 1889.

W1NroN, N. c., July, 1889.
Mr. EDIToR:-Our County Alliance
convened last Friday pursuant to ad-
journment with full delegation from
all the Sub-Alliances, though fewer
in attendance than expected. The
usual order OF business was taken up
and disposed of regularly. Our
actions with reference to Vice-Presi-
dent Jno. W Faison in meeting as
sembled On the lst Friday in January
at which he was impeached for
charges improperly founded, and for
which all that pertaining to the
charges preferred against him is to be
expunged from our minutes. Presi-
dent Vann, by request of the body,
offered an apology to him expressive
of regret for having acted so rashly,
which was accepted by Mr. /Faison
with all the kindness Of a. true gentle
man. May we ever in the future be
more cautious not to wound the feel
ings, nor in an way detract from the
good character of our fellowman
without good reasons therefor. l
mention this from the fact that it
was made public then.
Mr.. Jno. F. Newsom was elected a
delegate to attend the State Alliance
with Capt J. Fl. Picot as alternate.
Mr.. P. W. Magitt was appointed a
delegate to meet with the National
County Alliance in Suffolk on August
lst, the object of which will be to de-
wise some plan for the better handling
of the present growing peanut crop,
also Mr.. J. B. Vaughan was appointed
to meet with the brethren at Peters
burg on July 10th, relative to bags
for the same. The action of the Bir-
mingham convention was endorsed as
to the non use of jute bagging, and
we resolved to use cotton instead re-
gardless of cost. 1t being the regu-
lar or fixed time for the election of
eficers, we proceeded to the task.
With the exception of Mr.. n. j. Har-
rell for Vice-President, the present
incumbents with some few changes
in the Offices of minor Importance
were reelected.
For want of time our Lecturer, Capt.
Picot could not address the body and
many were disappointed at not hear
ing him. He offered during his
school vacation to visit the different
communities if the brethren so de-
sired, and already an invitation has
been given and no doubt the Captain
will be off occasionally for our people
know Of his ability to give them
good speech. Will meet again the
lst Friday in October.
GEO. A. BROWN, Sec'y.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
MORE THAN ONE OBJECT.
Grove, n. c., July 8, '89

GROVE, N. c., July 3, '89.
Mr.. EDIroK:-If you will allow me
space in your valuable columns, that
| may cast in my mite, it may be of
some benefit to the brotherhood. A
great many Alliance men as we'll as
outsiders are not properly apprehend-
ing the real objects of the Alliance,
but regard it merely as means by
which they shall be enabled to sell
high and buy cheap.
This is very desirable in itself, but
there are some other interests whose
objects, aims and purposes command
our attention Yon are aware that
we farmers, as class, do not sustain
the power and influence in society
which properly belongs to us, nor
have we that equal voice in the legis-
lative halls of the State or Nation to
which we are properly entitled (if
we had had there would have been a
Railroad Commission law in North
Carolins today but are regarded by
other classes as being in some sense in
ferior to them having no rights or privi-
leges, except to pay taxes, and are re-
quired to submit like lamb to their
dictation and control. To elevate and
restore our profession in society de-
mands and should inspire the highest
ambition Of every Alliance man; and
to do this each member has a good
work to do. You, my brother; you,
my sister, remember that " Intelligence
is the great lever power that moves
the world"
Education, then, in its broadest and
most general sense-thorough, prae-
tical and completes what we need
to secure to US our proper standing in
the world.
The principles as set forth in our
declarations of intentions adopted by
our State and National Alliance is
enough to convince the impartial OBJ
server that the Alliance is well calcu-
lated to accomplish this desirable end.
In what way does the Alliance pro
pose to educate its members I? By
mutual interchange of thought, opin-
ion and ideas, by meeting together,
talking together, consulting together
and acting together for our mutual
protection ard advancement; employ
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
A WORD OF ADVICE.
BLAND, n. c., July 5, '99
y. w. UPCHURCH,
@. B. A. of Davidson.

BLAND, n. c., July 5, '99.
/. Mr.. EDIToR:-I will say to you that
our Alliance is No. S72, our former
name was Bland, but at our last meet
ing it was unanimously agreed that
we change the name from Bland to
that of Jackson, and we would like
to be recognized hereafter by that
name, for just reasons known to our
selves We number 80 male mem
bers. | must say that our boys are
doing all they can to roll this great
Alliance wheel along. We are, as a
general thing, very poor people in
this section, and when the brethren
will consider that our turpentine and
tar is nearly worn out and we have
for the past few years had to resort to
cotton for our money, and that our
last crop has long since been ex-
hausted, and we can and did put our
hands down low into our pockets and
raised $50 in cash to pay on the en-
dowment of our State Agency Fund,
I think the brethren who know our
standing will say, "well done for
No. 872." Now, brethren, it will not
make your shoulder sore to push this
wheel. If you will all work together
as unit you will all grow stronger
and better every day. Why, 1 was
talking to one of my brothers the
other day and asked him the question,
if the Alliance should come to
naught where or how would it leave
him? He told me it would leave him
a better man by far in every respect
than it found him.
"In union there is strength" +" and
let me beg you for the welfare of
yourselves, you who have contributed
nothing to cause which just God
is directing, take shame to yourselves
for not performing your duty sooner,
and resolve never to meet in another
Alliance meeting without doing your
duty to this. great cause. Why will
-t- -
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
No. "a

ing our energies, our efforts and our
influences in our combined as well as
IN our individual capacity to utilize
those means which will best promote
our interests developing higher
manhood and womanhood among us;
by educating ourselves in all that is
real great, noble and good, discard
ing all that is unreal and fictitious; by
systema atizing our labors, ennobling
and dignifying our pursuits, beautify,
ing and adorning our homes, making
attractive the dearest spot on earth to
our sons and daughters.
Fraternally,
L. E. Cole.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23

The favored class of men who can
fairly wallow in easily got millions,
under institutions as they now are,
will fight all needed reforms to the
death, for if they make but single
concession and agree that one evil
exists that should be stamped out,
where will the movement toward
more of justice for the producers stop?
1t would not stop, but, gathering
increased power and momentum from
every righteous victory, would at last
take away from vested privilege "
every one af its iniquitous franchises.
The millionaire monopolists are
very sharp and well know such would
be the inevitable end. Hence they
will keep the door locked and barred
against all reforms, and thus make
themselves dead safe.-Earmer's
Voice.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-23
HoPEwELL ALLIANCE FORSYTH q

HoPEwELL ALLIANCE, Forsyth Co.
On May 3Ist, 1889, this Alliance
was organized with seven members,
and Notwithstanding the near prox,
unity of Eden, Flat Rock, and other
Alliances, our growth has been very
tiattering. We held weekly meetings
during June, and at the end of the
month our number had increased to
28 male and 4 female members, with
seven applications for membership.
We have secured seal, paid all dues
to the County Alliance, and have
money IN our treasury. We intend
to subscribe for few copies of The
PROGRESSIVE FARMER and the National
Economist, and if you editors will give
US sufficient light on the subject. we
intend to make our little Alliance a
lively factor in the grand army which
has been so justly arrayed in battle
against monopolists and extortioners.
Fraternally,
Il. L. BEcKERDTTE, Sec'y,-
y