The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-05-23
BIG MEETING AT HIGHLANDS.
DR.. Thompson Writes Entertainingly of
the Meeting---Co1. SINNERS
Speech---The Dinner.

| ldC6 VI u CulIu whose sorrows are Tor
gotten. This was the day fixed upon
by Richlands Alliance for a grand rally
of the Order in this community. Evil
predictions had gone forth that rs
would number the crowd; estimates
made after the company assembled
ranged from 600 to 1000. The most
| prominent noE-Allianceman in the vii
lage estimated the company at 1000.
So did some Of the old soldiers among
US. This estimate was probably too
high both sides being struck with ex
cess at the magnitude of the assemb
iage. For some of our people were
afraid the company would be small,
| and some Of Cur enemies, who had
said the Alliance ig dead" hoped it
would be smaller. So both sides were
| astOnished; and I, who had less fear
and better hope would figure the num-
ber at 700. And while there was fair
spriukling Of non Alliancemen in the
audience, exceedingly few Of whom,
however, we're kindly enough disposed
to bring baskets ard spread a dinner
"tth as, the most of the company were
men who, Notwithstanding some of
them have been inactive, are loyal in
their love for our principles, ard are
now reused to the necessity Of the &c
c0mplishment Of our beneficent pun
poses.
The speaker for the occasion was, as
you know, Col Harry Skinner of Pitt.
He was met By a company of horsemen
and escorted into the village. He BE-
gan speaking at15 minutes to - clock
and spoke p hours. He was listed TO
with unusual interest and marked az
tentiOn He delivered "a magnificent
address, the effect of which has never
been surpassed in this community,
Briefly rev,ewingexisting conditions,
and noting their inevitable tendency in
everE age and country, not less in this
than ia others-the destruction Of
homes, an aimless populace without
patriotism; ignorance, bondage, bar
barism, succeeding III this land Of lib
erty q day Of gilded splendor, he pro
ceeded to discuss politics from the
standpoint OF the popular need and
without reference to the particular
point of any political party. The most
intensely partisan found: I believe,
nothing along this line to criticise As
was to be expected, he devoted some
time to theSu Treasury. He presented
strong arguments in it's favor, and he
discussed the objections urged against
1.-THE cost of it: The farmers, he
said, would gladly be taxed to build
the warehouses for the ruin averted
and the benefits accruing from the
system-the array Of new office hold
ers. A cry is never raised against any
other extension Of the public service,
except this where the farmer seeks to
avert impending ruin-paternalism. It
is no more paternal than the national
banking system, and there is paternal-
ism everywhere since the doctrine of
States rights was shelved in 81, (and
it was thought parentheticaIly that
paternalism is always better than in
fernalismD its impracticability-what
is impracticabIe2 It might have been
thought impracticable to control the
| lightning for the transmission Of news,
for purposes Of l0comOtion, for light
ing cities; its practicability was proved
by its being done; its unconstitutional
ity-the recent legislature was willing
to waive that objection in their resolu
tions Of instruction, especially as to the
Nicaragua Canal, etc This was the
only unkind thing he said; invidious
reference, thought, ought not to have
been made to the deed. It would have
been kinder to praise the Legislature
for the one good deed they did-they
adjourned, and they need the credit oi
that good act Let it be their only
epitaph. Glass legislation he named as
a serious objection; but class legisla
tion, he said, is a term used with refer
ence to laws that benefit one class tC
the injury of other legitimate callings,
and it is therefore inapplicable here
But am not attempting a synopsis oi
Col. SINNERS very remarkable ad
dress. 1t was strong in argument and
consummate in oratory. 'Tis years
since have heard it's equal in point OF
eloquence. And this estimate Of his
effort was not confined to those who
agreed with him. The audience was
delighted, and several Democrats, de
claring it the best speech they ever
heard, sought to be made acquainted
with the speaker. The ladies who
were present in goodly number, and