The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-05-05

OFFICIAL.
To the Brotherhood of the NJ F. A.. &

O44 &~&64AR
To the brotherhood Of the ~ F. A. &s
I. u:
We are now approaching the most
critical period in existence as an
Order. The demoralizing elements,
which always enter into a political
campaign, are already being mar
shalled by the enemies of III Order,
with a determined purpose to divide
and disrupt us, if possible. No de
vice or scheme will be left untried.
Every effort will be made to divert the
minds of the people from the great is
sues which are essentially the very life
of our great reform movement.
1t was this knowledge of the situa-
ton that prompted the action of the
National Legislative Council in matur-
ing a plan for a lecture system and
for presenting in to the Order for adop
ton. The ultimate, inevitable and tri-
umphant success of principles is
assured, if this system be actively and
faithfully prosecuted. For the Ameri-
can farmers and all other classes and
interests which are so intimately re-
lated to them, will not fail to stand to-
gether for right, justice and equity, if
properly informed. If prosecuted as
designed, this system will engage the
services during this year of not less
than 35, 900 lecturers in our cause. /
earnestly invoke the aid and co-opera-
ton of the entire brotherhood, in secur-
ing a faithful lecturer, for every subor-
dinate Alliance, and for every Congress
sional district, within the jurisdiction
of our Order throughout the whole
country.
Arrangements are also being made
for the holding of two or grand
Alliance mass meetings in each of the
Alliance States during the year, or as
many more as the brotherhood may de-
sire. Let us have your active and
earnest sympathy in making this the
great educational campaign year in
our history, and thus be prepared to
meet any emergency that may arise.
State and county officers especially
are earnestly admonished to push this
work in their respective jurisdictions
zealously and vigorously.
The enemy is actively on the alert.
1t is his purpose to buy or control the
press as far as possible. Failing with
money, he will substitute Office or it's
patronage. Failing in all this, he will
strive by every means, foul or fair, to
create divisions and dissensions in our
ranks.
If a convention of the enemies of the
National Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union was called to devise a plan
for the overthrow and destruction of
the Order, it would doubtless adopt, as
the most speedy and etfectual, such
methods as would create ~dissensiOn
and strife among the membership.
How eagerly and how exultantly they
hail the least indication of this! IF an
erring brother SO far forgets his obliga-
tions to the Order as to assail it's prin-
ciples publicly he is heralded by the
politicians and the partisan press as a
hero. If a paper which has been de-
signated a representative of the prin
ciples of our Order proves false to it's
most sacred compact and assails our
members, or I'll principles, it thereby
gains speedy admittance to the respect
and confidence of our enemies. If in
fuential or prominent members, disre-
garding their obligations to each other
and to the Order, engage in a public
personal warfare through the press or
otherwise, our enemies are abundantly
satisfied.
No member of our Order has the
right to assail another member public
ly, through the press or otherwise, so
long as their names are on our roll of
membership. Such an offense is a VIC
lation of the obligation and should
merit expulsion. No paper vested with
authority to represent our Order Off
cially has the right to assail our prin-
ciples or any member of the Order
while acting in such a capacity. Such
an Offense should cause all true Ali
ancemen to repudiate such paper
promptly. No member, while his
name remains on our rolls, has a right
to assail the principles of the Order