The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-02-26

yet highly important in republican
form of government. What is it7 1t
is to use the power and influence of
their organization in the legislative
halls, and at the ballot box to prevent
hostile legislation against the class of
citizens which their organization rep
reaents. So far, such use of their
power is proper and necessary, and it
is our duty to use our organization for
the same purpose. But prompted by
selfishness and greed these organiza-
tions often go further. They use their
power to inaugurate and execute hos
tile Legislation against other classes
not organized. or poorly organized
and weak. The latter exercise of
this power in defiance of right, but
too often under the cover of law is the
snake in our body polite, and the curse
of our civilization. This is the fright
full game where the big fish eat the
smaller fish, and then turn to eat each
other. We have this game played
with growing force and intensity, and
for the last few months we have seen
it in its most frightful aspect.
None have suffered more from this
evil condition, as a rule, than the in
dustrial and agricultural classes-the
bone and sinew, the wealth producers
of the land Yet, viewed from the
standpoint of numbers, none were, and
are to day better able, not only to pro-
tect themselves, but to force justice to
be done to all other classes alike.
That we have failed in this, is little
short of a crime-a crime not only
against those dependent upon us, but
against all oppressed and suffering
humanity.
But why have we failed2 The basic
cause lies in the cumulative hereditary
defeat of ourselves. The isolated lives
we have lived have resulted in each
one following his own way, unaided
and unguided by the wisdom. that
comes from the association of ideas.
We have not pooled our intellects and
manhood 1--WE have fought single handed
and alone have been beaten in detail.
Past organizations and lodges of the
present organization, the Alliance
have disbanded because every man
could not see alike and agree. Our in
tellects are made different. We were
intended to differ and in differing to
find the truth, or at least safe line of
action between our divergent opinions.
All other classes and organizations
have learned the use and value of
divergent opinions, and have learned
the perfection of human wisdom from
organize alton, by acting as unit on a
line of action, that was the combined
wisdom of all, though it did not repre-
sent the individual opinion of a single
member of their organization. They
have practiced CO operation them
selves, but have preached competition
to us.
Competition is destructive-it is the
DEVILS game. When we learn this les.
son; when we overcome this fatal de-
feet in our own organization, and un,
learn the false education that has been
taught us by selfish and designing mo-
nopoly; when we begin to protect CO
operation, we will not only be able to
protect ourselves, but to advance our
mutual interests. Then we will not
only be prosperous, but also we'll nigh
invincible.
And though every effort at organjza-
tion in the past has failed, yet every
effort has done good. Every effort has
to a certain extent overcome the fatal
defect, and taught us the folly and
danger of competition and the value of
possibilities of CO cooperation. The same
cause that produced the other organi
cations produced the Alliance, but the
cause is intensified. The same defect
that made the other organizations fail
may wreck this organization, but the
defect is growing less-is disappearing.
I trust that the time has come, that the
hour has struck, when the peoples or
ganization, under the guidance of a
Divine Providence, will be successful
will become permanent. But let this
be as it may; let every reformer feel
that it is his duty to press forward
the Lord helps those who help them
selves. Let every reformer buckle on
his armor with new zeal. The struggle
will be great, but the results will be
greater. The result will be either JUS
tice and liberty, or oppression and SER
vitude.
We have so long allowed other