The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-08-25
ADVERSARY REPORT OF FOR
SYTH COUNTY ALLIANCE.

q
SYTH COUNTY ALLIANCE.
Correspondence of The Progressive Farmer.
This, the third quarterly session OF
the Forsyth County Farmers Alliance
for the veal 1896, marks the eighth an
niversary of the County Alliance. On
the 14sh Of March, 1888, Colonel G. B.
Pickett. of Texas, delivered an able,
conservative, even an unpreJudIced
address in the old court house in Win
ston on the condition of our country
and the need of organ'z atiou,' and set
forth the principles, objects and pur
poses of the Alliance as ad tpted to
meet this much felt want il a clear
and comprehensive manner, which was
readily received by the already organ
iz9d farmers. whereupon the frs ALI
ance in the county was organized, we'll
known as Pleasant Ridge. From this
nucleus light began to radiate. Lee
turers went forth TO all parts of the
county declaring the principles of the
order and organizing Alliances until
in due time there existed in the county
more than thirty such Alliances. But
from this height of members there
soon followed a falling away; scm9
came in for the purpose of being bene-
flied financially at once, others for the
purpose Of advancing the interests of
their political parties and some for the
sake of position and some for popu
larity. So that the same fate overlook
US which we find in the history of all
organizations, the Church of God not
excepted. We soon learned that our
strength lay not in numbers, but in the
faithful who are devoted tt principle
and love and truth While there is
much to deplore and discourage, there
is more to cheer and encourage. Prior
to the existence Of the Alliance prejI-
dice reigned supreme from father to
son without knowledge. Ohe political
party was loved and the other despised.
Then there was continual war and con
tentiCn. Through the inf leGCe Of or
ganiz alton prejudice hiss been to great
degree wiped out. An Alliance com
munity stands upon a higher plane Of
intelligence than a non Alliance com
munity. An individual member of the
order is often recognized at once by his
conversation by outsiders. Humble
laborers and backwoodsmen have been
brought to the front rank Of thought
and can discuss any question equal to
the legal profession.
Early IN the history Of the Alliance
it taught that money was clothed with
power to Cp2reas. This was sneered
at, discarded and notreCognjz d, but was
advocated firmly until it has become
the foremost issue Of the Nation, and
in many untold ways have we been
bentf5od by the existence of this or
ganiz alton, and as it has been benef-
cial in the past it may still be more 80
in the future.
Your committee would then insist
that the order be perpetuated, and that
every member be faithful in the dis
charge OF duty. Our declarations Of
principles say that we labor to educate,
etc. then let us labor. We can &C
compli,h nothing without labor; it is
the only law hat ,btains, and no or
ganization, institution or enterprise
can succeed which does not keep it's
object in view. Keep the obi ct of the
order.alwsys before you, Yes, educate,
teach ard be taught. Martin Luther
said the prosperity of a country de
ponds upon the number of it's ci6iz2ns
of education, enlightenment and
churches. Be true to your obligation
be bound together.
Henry Grady in his great Boston
speech, the last Effort of his life, said if
there is any human force that cannot be
withstood it is the banded intelligence
and responsibility of a free community
and corruption cannot prevail against
it. Avail yourselves of every oppor
tunity to know the truth. Seek the
light, turn on the light.
God said let there be light, and may
all people say let there be light.
A E. PFAFF,
r N. BOOsE,
j. l. CRAFT.
J. L MARSHALL Sec'V.