The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-10-17

present severed its connection with
the National Oder, and is governed
only by its own Constitution and regu
lations. Should it ever become desir
able to resume connection with the
National Alliance it can be done.
In some sections of the State there is
a contention for a few farmers or
ganization. Under the liberal charter
granted US by the State, the Alliance
can be made to accomplish anything
desirable we may wish. There is GER
tainly no need for a new organization,
1t will be far better to re organize the
Alliance, avoid the mistakes of the
past and live up to it's principles in a
spirit of fraternity and brotherly love.
Let it be understood that the farmer
ia in business" just as the merchant,
the banker, the manufacturer, or any
other business man, and is entitled
to the same consideration in the legal
and economical relations of the coun
try. But the farmer while an impor
tant class is not the only useful class
Of our citizenship. Every legitimate
business benz fi5s the whole population.
We therefore should labor in our
sphere, not az enemies, but as allies Of
other useful professions, and do moth
ing with the sole desire to ipjure
others.
There was a time when the farmers
were the happy contented class of our
country, and a yeomanry of prosper
Gus home owners, no matter how hum
BILE the home, is the bulwark of a coun
try. Oar farmers are not in a pros
porous condition to-day. There are
those who either deny this or attribute
it to laziness of the farmers, but in the
next breath contradict themselves by
attributing it to overprodUction.
The Alliance would afford opportun
ity for a study of the causes of this
condition and for exchange of views as
to the best methods of producing crops,
raising and tattening animals, prepare
ton of fertilizers, improving lands and
highways, marketing crops, and many
details in farm work, etc., and the best
ideas could be put into practical use.
1t could arrange programmes for far
mers' institutes to be held 10 the neigh
borhood. Among other things it might
also arrange for a system Ct storage,
warehouses, etc, or some means by
which the crops would not be thrown
on the market in a lump, but the sales
be regulated, 80 as to place the differ
ent o p~erishable crops, especially
cotton, on the market systematically
throughout the year. And last, but
by no mean least, and which we have
not hitherto appreciated and developed
as we should have done, is the social
feature of the order. We are more or
less isolated and need these gatherings
for the best development Of our young
people into noble and useful women
and men, as well as for the benefit of
the older people.
We meet few persons who we're ever
members Of the Oder who do not say
that they are ''as good Alliaucemen as
ever, out" They then relate some
grievance which is frequently imagi
nary or the result of their own con-
duct and whichScouId be easily RENE
died by their own action.
The Alliance elevated the farmers as
no other institution ever has done. It
them to think and by it they
more Of matters in which they
interested themselves than they had
learned in all the years before. That
there were some cranks and men hasty
to act was to be expected. The inter
ests Of C9e ar NAV in some cases have
overshadowed those of Rome, yet the
aim of the Alliance was the good of
the whole, not of the few.
The necessity for organic alton and
the advantage Of Cooperation have
only increased with each succeeding
year since we first joined hands in
1888 Every other class realizing that
union there ia strength, is united,
In this age of organization, wetoo must
organize.
We therefore cordially invite all
persons to unite with US in the
endeavor to rebuild the Alliance, with
the great objects set forth in u Dc
laration of Purposes-to develop a bet
ter state mentally, morally, socially,
and financially to educate ourselves
upon all matters affecting u welfare;
maintain law and order to suppress
PERSONAL, local, and national prejudices,
and to promote in every possible way
he best and highest Interests Of our
people and our country.