The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-01
DIR THOMPSON IN FRANKLIN CO

drive all the way from Ralelgn, a ols-
lance of 35 miles, to make the appoint
ment. After an address by the County
Lecturer, adjournment was made for
dinner. The good sisters of the district
had provided a good, substantial din
ner which was much appreciated by
all present.
After dinner DR.. Thompson addressed
the public. He made a capital speech
defending the Alliance against the
many accusations which have been
made against it, such as ~partisanship,
going into politi IS, etc. He showed by
the Constitution, principle 1, that it is
the object of the Alliance to labor for
the education of the agricultural classes
in the science Of economical govern
ment in a strictly non-partisan spirit,
Now, the doctor argued, the science of
economical government is politics pure
and simple, and the Alliance is only
following out its mission, as laid down
by it's founders, when it goes into poll
tics. The doctor drew a sharp line be-
tween going into politics and going into
a political party. It is the duty Of the
Alliance to teach the science Of eco
nomic government. This involves the
examination of existing laws and OF all
measures proposed or advocated by
any person or party with the view OF
finding out whether they are beneficial
or injurious. By such examination we
hope to arrive at clear conclusions as
to the causes Of the evils under which
We are suffering. Having clear ideas
as to the causes Of the evils, it is the
duty Of the Alliance to formulate rem
edies whether in the form Of advocating
the repeal of bad laws or the passage
of good laws, such as has been done in
the Alliance demands" The demands
being formulated it is the duty Of the
Alliance to endeavor to get some p0liti-
cal party or parties TO accept and adopt
as a part of their platform. The adop
ton of such demands by a political
party would not mean that the Alliance
as a body would give its support to
that political party, for the Alliance is
compose3 of men of all parties, who
were promised when they joined the
Alliance that they should not be asked
to do anything which would conflict
with their political views. But it does
mean that any political party which
adopted the Alliance demands would
not only get the individual support of
those Alliancemen who were of the
same political complexion as itself but
would also get the individual support
of those Alliancemen who put princi.
pies above party and who are ready to
go anywhere for relief or reform
Farmers who want relief should unite
to put pressure upon the POLITICAL par
tjes@.=7E~E1n1eT8 need not expect
mat any political party, neither Re
publican, Democrat, Peoples party or
Prohibitionist will give them relief IN
less they are strong enough to demand
it. When the farmers are strong enough
to demand relief they will probably
find that more than one political party
will adopt all or part Of the Alliance
demands.
The doctor examined some Of the
theories which are put forward as
causes of the distress among the farm
ers. Diversifcation is no cure for our
suffering, for in those States where
they diversity most, as Indiana, Ohio
and Kansas, their debt is greater than
in the South. It is an axiom in politi-
cal economy that a division Of labor
produces wealth. 4 man may do one,
two or even three things we'll, but no
ordinary man attains excellence in a
dozen things. Why don't the bankers,
lawyers and doctors diversity? They
know better. A farmer may grow cot
ton we'll, or he may grow tobacco well,
and perhaps a few other things, but if
he attempts to grow everything he re-
Quires his time and attention will be so
much divided that he won't be able to
give that minute attention to detail
which is necessary to success. But so
long as we are, every time We buy or
sell, forced to buy and sell at prices
over which we have no control and
which are not regulated by fair compe-
tition, just so long must we continue
totry to live at home" even though
we expend so in raising something we
ought to buy for S.. There is no such
thing as overproduction, for not only
are there millions of people lacking
food and clothing, but the worlds sup
ply never reaches a years supply
ahead. If God was to withhold the
worlds harvest for a single year the
following year would witness the death