Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-07-24
FROM BEAVER DAM.
Annual Meeting Of the FaEmers' Protec-
tive and Joint Stock Association.
BEAVER DAM, Va, July 90

The Farmers Progressive and Joint |
Stock Association held its first annual |
meeting Friday, July 9th, at the Union |
Baptist Church. The meeting was
largely attended. At 1880 q. m, the |
president. Rev. o. II. Phillips call |
ed the injecting to order. Devotional |
Exercises were conducted by the chap
lain. Rev. p II. Graves, assisted by
Rev. w. ]. Thompson, The roll of OH
GERS was called and with few excep-
ltion all responded. Then followed the
presidents address. He spoke Of the
origin of the association, its object and
of the favorable outlook for future
success. Next followed the agents
reports, some of which were very
IgOod. Many new members were
drought in and the amount OF money
COLLECTED on stock was encouraging.
The following paper was read by Miss
Ann Maria Robinson:
Subject: eve ARE TO SUCCEED IN
PROPORTION AS WE HOLD TOGETHER"
The organization known as the Farm
ers' Progressive and Joint Stock Asso-
citation has for it's object the promo
tion of agricultural and mechanical
arts and to stimulate and encourage
business and enterprise among the col
ored people. But the grand question
is, how can this be brought to bear7
The answer comes to US in these words !:
1--WE are to succeed In proportion as
we hold together.
After having gotten the right start,
the next lesson is that of patience,
thoroughness of preparation and con-
tentment with the regular channels Of
business effort and enterprise. This
perhaps is the most difficult thing to
teach our people. Their minds will
naturally reach out for immediate re-
suits and when they fail to obtain them
at once they become discouraged and
: pronounce the organization failure.
Let us understand this one thing at
starting that the patient conquest OF
difficulties which rise in regular and
legitimate channels OF business and en-
terprise ia essential in securing sue
cess. We can not have success with
out difficulties arising. But then not
divide our minde nor overthrow Cur
plans.
/ know that beginning at the very
u foot Of the hill and working to the tor
e seems a very discouraging process and
Q at this very point have thousands OF
}, organizations been shipwrecksd.
9 As members of this association we
d should be as closely united as the
i joints are on the fingers.
nj II we read the history of the colorec
Is race we find that the colored people o.
~ this country now own three hundred
" million dollars worth of property
20 When we Judge them not from tn,
ls height on which they now stand, bu
d from the depths out Of which the,
5 have risen. we must admit that /
was done in proportion as they hel'
together.
Now to the President. officers an,
= members OF this association, IL you ar
= in the minority don't be discouraged
= TT is the minority that have vindicat
:. ed humanity in every struggle of life
~ 1t is the minority that have stood tn
~ van of every moral conflict and achiev
- ed all that is noble in the history g
- the world" Remember you are
- succeed not by majority only, but i
- proportion as you hold together; an
= that where right and truth are, Go
y Himself stands within the dim future
;, and keep watch over his own.
L Lives of great men all remind us,
3 We can make our lives sublime;
10 And departing, leave behind US,
II Foot prints on the sand of time"
t. 1t was listened to with marked u
le tention and at times brought fort
no great appliances from the audience
a. Everyone seemed 20 be benefited b
d. the wonderful thoughts expressed i
as it. Then followed addresses by MessrI
is r. +. Robinson, Reuben Gordon an
as - Green. At 2 O'Clock p. M, the q
lie ISOLATION adjourned for recess. Re-
n freshments OF all sorts were served
the Industrial Club.
After dinner all repaired to tn
church to listen to an address delivei
ed by Hon. George w. Lewis, of RicE
"A mond, Va. Mr.. Lewis is brilliant an
~, successful clear headed lawyer. II
as every act has personal significanc
- indicating vigor, independence ar
" self-reliance. He has that energy
a. OF will which is the soul Of every gre
40 character. In his address he shews
gs the many ways by which we as farm
81 ers must succeed ; viz. By raising Il
w best. cattle and horses, metink Il
ma best crops; having homes of our ow
Nv; ~ and by not allowing our expenses
n exceed our incomes. That we are
do business among ourselves and
trust one another, etc. Mr.. Lewis
truly an eminent speaker and !
would be glad to have him come to
real soon again.
The same officers were re-elect
with two exceptions. The are IS Il
'efS lows;
President, Rev. o. III. Phillip; Vic
President, J. T. Morse Secretary,
Z. VS. Graves; Assistant Secretary,
Of T. Lightfoot; Treasurer, r. r. RObi
Gu son; Chaplain, Rev p. H. Grave
rth Board of Directors, Rev.C. H. Phillil
ion w. L. Young, j, T Morse, Rev. w.
ge, Thompson, @ W. 8. Graves. Reut
ma, Gordon, M. 7. Lightfoot, r. F. Rob
, at son, Simon Scott, Reuben WashiI
c. ton Banking Com ulittee, J. T Nor
The e. w. s. Graves, W. T. Coleman.