The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-08
LETTER FROM NORTHAMPTON.
The County Meeting---The Ex-President
Gives Way to His Feelings
and Goes for Bi1kins.

The County Meeting he Ex-FreSloenI
Gives Way to His Feelings
and Goes for Bi1kins.
GARYsBURG, N. @.
Mr.. EDIToR:-If you have space to
spare l would like to say a word in re-
gard to Gumberry Alliance, No. $40.
Like lots of others she went down dur
ing the campaign, but we have rallied
her again. Some time the last of May
a few of we clodhoppers commenced
talking about reorganizing, so we met
with only four brethren present, but
we didn't give up, and now we have
about twenty-five members n good
standing. We restore and initiate
members at every meeting. At our
last meeting we elected four, had SIX
applications and restored n
want to say to the brethren of old
Northampton, let's bestir ourselves,
let's not be behind every one; we can
have ten or twelve good Alliances IN
our county if some five OF six brethren
at the different places would make an
effort. Now, brethren, where your
Alliances have gone down please make
an effort to reorganize them at once.
See how our Alliance commenced, and
if you don't believe what I say, come
to our Alliance and we will prove 1t.
Now, brethren, let's put on new life,
forget tie past and push forward. W.
must organize or we will be slaves to
the money kings and the landlords.
Don't let's be defeated by the enemy;
they are rejoicing over u weakness,
but let's show them we a rally, and
we can with a little effort on u part.
Now, Mr.. Editor, 1 want to say a few
words about oUr county meeting. We
met on the 18th of July. We had a
small crowd, but the greatest consola-
ton was they were in earnest. They
elected a new set Of officers from first
to last, and I amSsure the Alliance will
pro sper under their administration.
They are men who are deeply inter
ested in the Alliance movement. Our
| Hon. W. E. Harriss was unanimously
elected President; H. T. Griffin, Vice
President, and J. M. Grant, Secretary.
1 was very much surprised at our ex-
President. After the election of officers
he rose and stated that he was not in
sympathy with the Alliance now. He
| said he was an Aliiancemen from irs5
principles and he was solidly with the
farmers, but stated that the leaders Of
the Alliance had strayed off and would
finally kick it from under them. He
said the Alliance was dead in this
county, and to prove it he said look at
the crowd here to-day. He also said
the Alliance would soon play out
everywhere, then we would have to go
back and reorganiz9 under first princi
pies. He held up THE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER, and what do you think was
his objection? 1t was because Zeke
Bilkins carries that rake and is not
pretty. He said that Bilkins COM
pared himself to the farmers of North
Carolina, and also said that he ought
not to be recognized by the farmers.
He said that the idea of that old, ugly
man carrying that rake, comparing
himself to the farmers of North Caro-
lima! He said that the farmers were
smart and learned people and did not
like to be compared to such an ugly
man as Zeke Bilkins, and that he held
himself above him.
Well, I think if we were half as
smart and half as we'll posted as Zeke
we would be in a much better condi-
ton than we are today. I viii say in
behalf of Zeke that I have met him and
his picture is not a fair representation.
He has a red head, Twill acknowledge,
but he is a good looking man and looks
much better than some of his accusers.
1 will close by saying to you, Mr..
Bilkins, that if you will get Betsy a SIS
dress and a 500 gold watch and get
yourself a SIS suit and a beaver hat
and throw away your rake and join
the Democratic party, you will be
recognized by all the farmers. You
will neither be in politics or partisan.
Very respectfully,
j. J. STEPHENSON.