Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

ganization. Never has corporation or
ganization met farm organization in
conflict but that corporations have gone
before the strong bolts of right and JUS
tice hurled by the farm forces.
The fierce industrial war waged on
every hand drives the farmer into or
ganization to protect his own His iso-
lation and the evils attendant upon that
force him into organization for social
and intellectual benefits. Organization
of corporations and trusts who strive to
wrest our Government into a plutocracy
for the building up of privileged classes
and special interests, compels the farm
ers to organize, so as to perpetuate our
free institutions and government by the
people. Should the farmer organize?
He must organize. That alone is life.
How should the farmer organize? The
farm organization, to accomplish its
work, must recognize the conditions OF
the farmer. 1t must be social organi-
zation into which may .come the farm
er, his sons, his wife and daugh-
ters. 1t must be practical
school where is taught agricult-
ure; VIII ere is discussed all the farmers
needs. Consequently it must be an or
ganization which will diffuse knowl-
edge. 1t will take up and discuss the
thousand questions the farmer digs up
in the field. It must break down the
isolation of the farmer. 1t must bring
in confidence and good will as against
suspicion and jealousy. 1t must give
farm leadership and farm reliance.
Organize for social, for intellectual,
for financial and political benefits, and
the organization is on the right basis.
Do practical work in improving the
mind and heart, in helping one another
to be better farmers, better citizens and
better men, and the organization Is on
the highway to success.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ELSEWHERE.
Extract from report of the State Sec
retary of Iowa, September 8, 1889:
Not only have we been blessed by that
Giver of all good gifts with bountiful
harvest, but we as Alliance members
have just cause to feel both proud and
thankful for what we have accomplish
ed during the year.
Ourlast stGeneralAssembly saw the lead
ing principles of the Alliance crystal
lied into law, and the elections last fall
spoke in thunder tones that the laws
enacted through the influence of pub
lie sentiment created largely by the Al
lance and in securing the passage OF
which the Alliance proved potent
factor, shall and must be obeyed so long
as they remain upon the statute books,
though the political heavens fall.
The future is equally bright. Much
is expected from this annual meeting,
the result of which is awaited with
great interest by all classes as giving
the clearest expression to the agrlcult-
ural sentiment. 1t is of the utmost i'm
portance that our deliberations on pub
lie questions should be wise, reasona-
BILE, moderate, just and in accordance
with exact truth and righteousness.
We can not afford to demand unreaSon-
| able and unjust measures, which, en-
acted into law would deprive any other
class of any rights or privileges they
enjoy, nor can we afford to neglect to
demand the repression of any wrong
doing by which the humblest
farmer suffers damage. Our strength
and power and influence and
ability to promate the agricult-
ural interests lie not in the vehemence
of our declarations, but in their Inherent
| Justice. If we would lead agricultural
opinion we must espouse and advocate
such measures as commend themselves
to the good sense of right and fairness
which characterize the farmers as a
class. Directly in the Alliance work
the progress during the year has been
marked and stable. Steadily has the
growth of the Alliance gone forward SC
that during the year there have been
27S new Alliances, twelve of which are
county organizations, and an addition Of
2, 424 members.
In the matter of cooperation, while
the direct purchases made through the
Alliance were not so great, yet the ef
feet of prices secured through the State
Agency was felt throughout the whole
State and alike largely benefited mo-
only the membership but outsiders al
well, as the pressure brought to beal
upon local dealers whereby they were
compelled to reduce prices could not hell
but be enjoyed by all.
Noticeably was that of binder twine
which, beyond question, the Alliance
reduced the price of from three to hV'
cents per pound by its timely and system
attic resistance. This fact is now con
ceded by twine operators.
Socially the Alliance has proven al
Iavalanche of power, feature the re
suits of which are too apt to be under
valued and overlooked. In many Al
liances this has been made the leading
and prominent feature with reported
gratifying results.
Another great strength OF the Alliance
and a potent power that has been felt IL
MANY a community and county, is th'
effect had upon local reform and abuses
What has been accomplished by th'
State Alliance upon State affairs ha
been similarly done by county and loca
Alliances upon county and township al
fairs. Many has been the death knel
of county or township ring sounded D.
agitation begun in the local Alliance.
All things being so auspicious let u
render thanksgiving to the Giver OF al
good gifts we are enjoying. and as W
are about to pass over the threshold O
the expiring Alliance year teach and b
taught, draw inspiration and imbib