The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-01-08
No. 40
THE MEETING AT MERIDIAN.

In its report of the proceedings of
the meeting of the National Farmers
Alliance and the National Wheel, the
Daily Morning Neaos, of Meridian, has
this to say of the public reception
which was held at night, at Sheehan
Hall:
"In accordance with previously pub
ished notice in the Neacs Of yesterday,
a public meeting was held in Sheehan's
Hall last night, in which the delegates
of the several organizations now in ses-
sion here, and the citizens participated.
The large hall was brilliantly lighted
by Mr.. Reneau, the superintendent of
The Thompson-Houston Electric Com
pany, who kindly placed magnificent
arc light in the centre Of the hall.
This hall was densely packed to hear
the distinguished gentlemen who were
announced to speak during the evening.
President Macune, of the National
Alliance, called the meeting to order
and briefly announced the programme.
Senator Walker, of this city, was then
introduced to the assemblage as the
gentleman selected by the committee
of arrangements to deliver an address
of welcome to the delegates Of the
Alliance and the Wheel, which he pro-
ceeded to do in his usual able and elo-
quent manner.
Senator Walker was followed by
Col. L. L. Polk, of North Carolina,
who was introduced by Gen. S. D.
Lee in an appropriate and eloquent
manner.
Gen. Lee took occasion in his intro
ductory remarks to discuss, in an able
manner, the present economic con-
dition of the agricultural interest of
the coutry and necessity of the farm
ers of the country being organized to
contend against the powerful trusts
and rich corporations of the country
as they now existed
The distinguished gentleman also
contended that there was no disposi
ton upon the part Of the farmers to
undervalue the great transportation in
terests Of the country, stating also that
he was opposed to any measure which
would have tendency to cripple its
interest.
General Lee closed his eloquent and
practical remarks by introducing Col.
Polk as the distinguished gentleman
selected by the convention to respond
to the address of welcome, on the part
of the members of the Alliance and
Wheel.
Col. Polk expressed his high appre-
citation of the honor conferred upon
him IN being selected for this pleasant
duty. and after paying glowing trib-
ute to the hospitality of the people of
this city, ne proceeded to deliver an
eloquent and eminently practical ad-
dress, a detailed account of which the
Nes0s reporter greatly regrets will have
to be omitted for want of space and
time.
Col. Polk sustained most admirably
his reputation for being fluent, forci-
BILE and eloquent speaker, and it is not
saying too much to add that both the
address of welcome by Senator Walker
and the response by Col Polk, were
most admirably spoken and evinced
clear conception by both gentlemen,
of the situation, as it now affects the
agricultural interests Of the country
Col. Polk was exceedingly felicitous
in his remarks and his illustrations
were both interesting and striking.
The Ne,cs feels sure of rejecting the
sentiment of the entire audience in
hoping these distinguished speakers
will furnish the newspapers with their
able speeches in full