The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-08-04
A FINE SPEECH.
Extracts From an Address Delivered by
President Stokes Before the South
Carolina State Alliance
Last Week.

ing and Incalculable. It's arrangement
| alone commend it to our sympathy
and support. Yet, it's patronage by
| the order is not what it shOnld be; and
it is not in touch with the order to the
| extent that it's management desires,
and as is necessary to a realization Of
it's full possibilities. In my judgement
this is due to the fact that it's trade IS
restricted to stOckholding Alliances.
5. MORALLY-The masses of the order
| under the stimulus and the teaching
of the Alliance are occupying higher
ground than they did a year ago. The
sense Of obligation is approaching, and
a distinct tendency is observable to-
ward Interpretation Of contracts &C
cording to their spirit rather than their
letter. A greater caution is observable
also in the making Of contracts. Some
| explosions have occurred for breach of
contract, and conduct unbecOming
| AIliancemen; but the number Of these
| deplorable necessities has been small
as compared with the membership.
| There is a deep, moral significance in
the fact that 1000, 600 men meet
periodically throughout these United
States for the discussion of econ mic
cushions in a ~nOn-partisan splrlt-and
that these meetings are opened and
closed with prayer.
T.. EDUCATIONALLY-Here has been
wrought the greatest work of the Ali
ance. The evidences Of intelligent
thought untrammeled, as far as posi-
Die. by partisan Or personal prestige,
are abundant. The ~pertinence and
pungency Of observation and criticism
upon all matters Of public import, is
frequently surprising to him who
comes into actual contact with this
class of our people that hitherto has
taken little note of public affairs, and
rarely assumed to express an opinion
upon economic problems. Actual con
tact with the life of this people reveals
a keenness of perception and a dis
| eliminating sense of justice that pene-
trates adventurous circumstances and
! goes to the root of the matter with
startling precision.
The awakening Of this class of people
to an intelligent interest in and study
of economic problems, under the slim
illus of Alliance organization, is Il of
the most healthful and hopeful signs
of the times.
), SOCIALLY-This function Of the
Alliance has not realized it's highest
possibilities, and yet the results, in
adequate as they are, T still inTalu-
able. AS iron sharpeneth iron, so a
man the c~Ountenance Of his friend
Community of interest finds it's fullest
expression, it's strongest bond in freest
social intercourse, and in this field
finds it's fullest fruition.
Along each and all of these lines of
work projected by the Alliance, its
achievements have been marvellous
and in the highest degree beneficial.
A volume might be filled upon each
division; but this cursOry review must
suffice. l invite your attention to
some general considerations pertinent
to the time and order.
AS TO POLITICS..
The order has maintained it's integ-
rity upon these lines. It has adhered
to the prescribed line and discussion in
a nom partisan sense. The danger APP
pretended by many that it was devot-
ing undue attention to polite Il ques-
tions to the neglect of farming, is
amply answered by the suggestion Of
my predecessor a year ago, that it's
success in raising crops has been
steadily increasing-indeed last year,
which was marked by most extensive
and intensive application to politics on
the part of the farmers, during an I'M
precedented period, was also marked
by the most unparalleled results in
production of our great staple.
THE COTTON PROBLEM.
I. The growers of cotton are con-
frOnted with a most serious condition.
The most reliable statistics point to a
large surplus Of the staple-probably |
over a million bales. In view of this
contingency it is of the utmost import
an e that this body take some action
looking to am~elioration Of a condition
bordering upon calamity; and Irecom-
mend that a committee be appointed
to confer with other State Alliances,
with a view to securing the call of a
convention of the cotton growers
nOn-Alliance as we'll as Alliance col |