The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-02-05
N. c. FARMERS STATE ALLIANCE
RALEIGH, N. c., Nov, Is, 1894.

NAOOI -OOACSCGGCOJ 4SAtCtBIG, Nv. ~
DEAR SIR-Per your request I write
you, though hurriedly, in regard to
the Alliance organization in North
Carolina. The Order has gained in
strength since I wrote you one year
ago, and but for the depression In the
value of all farm products, causing
money to be so scarce among our PEG
pie, the Order would be very much
stronger. For the past two and a half
years a very great struggle has been
made by it's foes to crush the organiza-
ton out of existence. No one knows the
amount of uncLeGn work that has been
done to weaken, to destroy it, and it is
sad to say that many of those who
have been raised to places of trust and
prominence by 1T have done most of
this diabolical work.
The Alliance organization is non-par.
tisan in a political and religious sense.
Its members belong to all political par
ties, and while a majority of the mem
bers may be Of one political faith, it is
simply because that political party
dared to place in its platform and ad-
vocate the very reforms this organiza-
tion has been demanding for years of
all political parties. Some believe they
can get the demands through other po-
htical parties, and are yet true ALI
ancemen, advocating the same prin,
ciples, and doing all in their power as
they believe to advance the interest of
the organization. In our lodges we
know no political party, no religious
denomination. The Alliance is work
ing for the upbuilding Of every branch
of legitimate industry. 1t teaches ODE
dience to the laws, it teaches sobriety,
it teaches charity, it teaches it's mem
bers to help bear n another's burdens.
1t does not teach the members to do
anything contrary to the Divine Will,
or to the laws of the country, as is
charged by its enemies. The progress
made in its teachings of economic ques
tions has been the greatest ever known
in the history of our country. The
masses have learned more in regard to
the financial condition Of the country
In the past four years than for any
period of twenty years preceding.
The Alliance is a political organiza-
ton, a business organization and a
social organization. AS a political
organization it is non-partisan, and it
condemns any system of government
which the people cannot control. It
believes in economy in expenditures,
both in State and nation. It believes
that Incorporation should not be granted
privileges not granted to every indi-
vidual. It condemns the national
banking system or any other system
that gives the power to a few corpora
tions to control the prices of products
of the. soil and manufactured, by Civ.
ing them complete control of the cur.
rency. 1t believes in a lower rate of
interest. It, believes in government
control or ownership of railroads, teIe
graph and telephole lines. It believes
in sub treasures in which to store our
currency, and that the money of the
country should be made and loaned by
the government to the people direct, at |
a low rate of interest without the in
tervention of national banks as now in
vogue. It is opposed to the issuing of
interest bearing bonds. 1t is in favor
of free coinage of silver at the ratio Of
16 to I, as of old. It favors more money
for the common schools. 1t believes
that in times of depression, like this,
that salaries of county, State and ma
officials should be reduced.
AS a business organization it has been
4 great blessing to those who had the
benefit of the trade arrangement, be
cause it has been the means of trading
direct for such manufactured. articles
as the people need, thereby saving an
immense amount of money for them.
At an annual expense in its business
department. not exceeding SIS, 600 it has
purchases for the members for I
he past four years amounting to more
han one third of a million dollars per ,
7ear. It has caused a reduction in :
,uanos, agricultural implements, etc., ,
whereby the people in the State have
aved millions of dollars. In fertilizers
lone the price has been reduced in +:
hat time from five to ten dollars per
on, saving to the purchasers in North .
on the 500, 900 ions sold here !.
lot less than 50, 500, 900. While it has :
aved the farmers in their purchases
o much, the Business Agent has been !.