The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-12-25

Il 041 E0G@N ADG
God. from Whom all Blessings Flow"
and that every heart and every tongue
NAV watt to our bounteous Father on
high the grateful tribute that we bring.
Bro. President: Oar people have just
passed through one of the bitterest Pc
litical contests that has ever been
fought in this State. Many harsh
words have been spoken; many kind
and true hearts have been deeply
wounded, and thus former friends have
been alienated and estranged. Sir, it
is the hallowed mission of the Alliance,
it is our highest, hottest privilege to
carry the olive branch of peace to the
offended. It is our highest duty, not
only to forgive, but forget, and both
by precept and example AUS others
to perform such a duty. Go forth on
your mission of brotherly love from
this hall; carry the pure white banner
of peace and goodwill to every freside
and home now darkened by prejudice
and hate. Pour the healing stream of
the oil of love upon the wounds of hate
and let us be one people again, serving
the same God and loving the same
grand old State.
Bro. President, some think that the
mission of the Alliance was fulfilled
and ended, that its duty was performed
when a new party was ushered into
existence some two years ago which
embodied our every demand in their
platform; many others claim that on
the 9Th of this month its mission ended.
Sir, this is a mistake, and if we allow
such an idea to take root and cover our
alters throughout this State with the
obnoxious words of disunion, it will
prove a fatal mistake; one that will
make fruitless every victory, void
every effort and bring inevitable dis
appointment to III every hope. Sir,
l tremble in the depth Of my soul at
the responsibilities that by the late po-
litical victory in North Carolina de-
wolves upon the Reformers. A ques-
ton arises in my mind that will not
down at any mans bidding: Will they
meet that responsibility as promised9
The time is so short, and there is 80
much to do. All the elements of cor
ruption will be there, the foxey old
politician will be there, the lobbying
will be carried on as never before, their
guns will be shOtted with both grape
and canister; everything that can
bring forth friction or strife will be
resorted to, and above all, "OId Cloven-
Foot" will be there to combine all these
powers Of darkness against the people.
Can they escape? Can they go through
this furnace heated as V before
without the smell of fire upon their
garmentsl Sir, the Saviour, the human
and Divine, chose only twelve men to
aid Him in carrying forward the great
est reform Of that or any other age;
and yet, sir, amid this little band was
a Peter, a Judas to betray. God for
bid, sir, that one of those whom we
have put upon the outer walls o
Colum5ia's d~efences should deny the
faith or betray the people. IT'S here,
Bro. President, that the mission of the
Alliance has just commenced; here lies
u most sacred duty. We must stand
by and uphold until the sun goes down
the hands of those who're main true
and do their duty. We must, as one
man, condemn him who proves him
self a coward and a traitor. We must
brand the man who falters in this
supreme hour as a traitor. Sir, it
makes no difference what political
faith he claims, if he fails to do his
duty, we must condemn him; if he is
of our own household of faith, he should
be condemned the more. Let us do
our whole duty and fear not.
Bro. President: We must not forget
in this hour of triumph, our grand old
Order. Here, and here only, is our
safe mooring. Outside of yonder door
the storm is driving, the battle is
with unmitigated fury. Here
around this alter is peace and calm,
union and victory. AS long as we keep
the pure light of both political and
social reform burning brightly on the
alters of our beloved Alliance, as long
as the bond of brotherly love keeps us
united around that sacred alter, as
long as we remain an organization to
condemn wrong and uphold the right,
as long as we remain intact to educate
and uplift the masses, al long as we
keep a wall of true and united hearts
around our temple of liberty, tyrants