The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-06-04
ADDRESS BEFORE OAKLAND
ALLIANCE.
BY BRO. G. Fl. BAINEs.

MT. ETSSIO6nC, bTeCHTen QnoSSGSLeTS OF
of the Oakland Suo Alliance:
It is a sCuVce of much joy and pleas
ure to me TO be with you all on this
occasion. This meeting might be
termed the Seventh Anniversary" of
this Alliance. Seven long years ago
the 31st day of this month, Oakland
Alliance was organized with eleven
charter members. l believe it will not
be exaggerating if I should say that at
least $50 persons have been members
here since our organization. Of cou1s
we have a determined little band of the
true and faithful yet remaining. Many
Others. too, have helped to organize
other Lodges, and are now doing gooc
work in their respective localities.
Alas! Alas! Since our organization
many of our friends and noble leaders,
not only in our Sub, but County, State,
and National, have crossed the dark
river, and r waiting, with the angels,
to welcome is on the golden shore.
PERHAPS, brethren and sisters, I am
depressing from the main subject upon
which l should mostly dwell, but as
my thoughts were led off in this direc-
ton, l am sure you will pardon me
for giving vent to my f6 elipgs.
Friends. whenever 1 have the priv
lege of meeting you all in a meeting
like this, [ feel like I have got home.
Mr.. President, when I look around
and see SO many vacant seats that
ought to be filed every meeting by the
honest yeomapry of Jul country, 1
fear we are not doing our whole duty.
Why is it that III meetings are not
so interesting. so instructive and SO
we'll attended as they have been and
especially by the lady members? Have
they become discouraged and grown
cold in the noble work9 Have the
brethren become lukewarm? What
is the matter9
PERHAPS there may be some (but
hope there are none present) who think
that when a certain party shall have
come into power, and shall have taken
the reins of government in hand, that
there will be be no further need or ex
cuse for the Alliance to exist.
Friends, in all seriousness, should
there be one here who believes such a
tallacy, you are making n of the
wo1s5 mistakes Of your lives. All pc
liticAl parties should be watched, and
the Alliance should be kept strong
enough to make all parties fear it, and
thereby force them to do right. The
Alliance must not die! You and T and
all Of us can't afford to let it die ]
see fourfold more reasons why the
farmers and laborers should be or
ganized now, than I did when I first
Joined the Order. This, alone, proves
the Alliance to be one of the best edu
Gators of the ags.
. Brethren, being surrounded by mo
nopolles, Trusts, corporations and com
Olnes on every hand, as we are, I Sc,
more need for the union of the labor
ing Glasses, the wealth producers of thu
land, than ever before in the history O
; our Nation.
Brethren, let me call your attention
to one other fact. 1t takes money t,
run any organization. Even the churcl
OF Christ can't get along well withou
It, Don't say you are not able to pa,
your dues, and then go and spen,
:. twice the amount for something er
tirely worthless.
~ Never let a good member he al,
" pended because he or She co,o.t -,
be their dues. Let the strong bolr -
the irfrmitias oe A. NWp O06