The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-05-09
WHERE ARE WE AT7
ST. LEWIS, N. @.

ST. LEWIS, N. @.
Mr.. EDITOR: Where are we? What
is the matter2 How about that boom
erang thrown out by the legislature at
the Farmers Alliance? Where and
whom will it hit when it returns in two
and four years hence! Is this America
ruled and governed by and for Ameri-
cans? If so, don't the farmers and
laborers and their property constitute
a part of the population and wealth Of
this nation2 And if they are, are they
not entitled, by the laws and Constitu
tion, to hearing in person or by or
ganization in representing their inter
ests in all matters concerned as Ameri-
can citizens of other trades and pro
fessiOns?
What is the farmers condition to day
compared with that of other trades
and professions? see the property of
my neighbor farmers being sold for
One-fourth it's former value. Are the
losses as great in other professions and
have their interests suffered as much?
If not, why not? Because they have,
by organizing, formed a power where
by they could better shape their bust
ness and shape a government policy to
conform to their interest. Is this not
enough to put the farmers to thinking?
What would the millionaires, money
lords and kings Of this nation think or
do if they were to lose three -fourths of
their wealth by discriminating Iaws9
Would they not soon be calamity howl
ers too2 What could farmers have
done under the past, or what can they
do under the present financial system
of this government to have retained or
to redeem their former wealth? They
certainly could not have done SO by
farming if money is necessary? They
have tried to better their condition
under the present system, but have
grown poorer and poorer until they
have almost despaired. Yet if the
farmers dare seek for relief and speak
out in meeting for their rights, they
are assaulted, abused and called
calamity hoWlers" Now, Mr.. Farmer,
you have ever been found in the front
ranks battling for the liberties and
rights of your country, but the time has
come when you are called upon to fight
your own battles. know the pressure
against you is great, but where is your
manhood if you dare not stand up for
your rights as you have for the rights
Of others? The cause is a noble one
and well worthy your consideration,
and the first thing to consider is this:
Is it to your advantage and interest or
not to organize? Is it to your interest
to act wisely and grant equal justice to
all men. Before passing judgment you
should note whether or not the farmers
as a class are as prosperous or doing as
well as other classes, and if they are
not, what is the reason they are not2
They second thing is: If farmers
are not doing as well, can't they better
locate the cause and give a remedy for
organized than disorganized? These
seem very important questions to me
and worthy the consideration of every
farmer. Let the farmers thoroughly
organize, become harmonious, then
they can form power which will enable
them to protect their interest to-day,
tomorrow, at home and abroad. The
trust, the speculator, the shylock, the
gambler and their servants all bitterly
oppose the organizing of the farmers.
Is this because they are such friends to
the farmers2 No. 1t is the power
brought forth by organization that
they fear. The farmers, like other
classes, divided are weak and easily
managed. but united they will bestrong
and difficult to control.
Now there are two things the farm
ers must learn to do before they can
expect to better their present condition,
whether they organize or not:
First, learn how to farm for their