The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-09-28
AN ADDRESS,.
To The Farmers And Former
Members of The Farm
ers' Alliance in North
Carolina:

a general revival and reorganization
of the Alliance in this State, the
undersigned were, at the recent ses-
sion Of the North Carolina State
Alliance, appointed committee to
draft an address to the farmers Of the
State.
This is an epoch Of organization
and cooperation. The class that re-
mains unorganiZed is at the mercy OF
those united in organization. Eleven
year. ago the farmers of North Caro-
lima, realizing this fact, joined hands
in an effort to promote their interests
..mentally, morally and financially"
When the jute bagging trust at
tempted to Cypress US, the farmers
defeated it and it was glad to sell its
product at the old price or for less.
We could deal with any trust now ex-
isting as we did with the jute bagging
trust, if we had the same united CO.
operation of the farmers of the
country.
The social condition Of the farmers
and the period of neighborly good
feeling for an association with each
other which then existed has never
been equalled in the history of the
State. Families that had lived near
each other for years because ac-
quainted, unfavorable opinions of
neighbors were found on acquaint-
ance to be unfounded and their
worth learned and appreciated. The
people by associating together and
exchange of ideas were benefited in
their business in all departments.
By cooperation the 100 per cent. for
a few months credit was destroyed
and needed supplies bought at
reasonable prices for cash or good
security.
The different state of feeling now
existing among the farmers was oc-
cassioned to some extent by differ
ence of opinion on political questions.
The merchants, bankers, railroaders,
mill men, lawyers, ETC., have or
CARNATIONS to promote the interests
of their respective line Of business.
When their assemblies convene no
account of difference of political
views, but their consideration is
directed to the advancement Of the
business in which they have a COM
mon interest. Why should it not be
so with the farmers? Is there any
thing beneficial gained by rejecting
the example given us by the wild
horses on the Western plains, which.
when attacked, turn their heads
together and use their heels upon
their enemies, and in initiating the
conduct of an animal that ''has
neither pride of ancestry nor hope of
posterity "turning our full length to
our enemies and using our heels
upon each other? The evil of this
course is now bearing fruit and the
Alliance has determined that the
pledge that members religious and
political views shall not be in any
way interfered with shall be strictly
enforced.
AS to the course of our organ, the
Progressive Farmer, we are assured
by the business manager and the editor
of the paper that it shall be an in
dependent, unmuZZled farmers and
Alliance journal and while it will I'M
hesitating ely commend the right and
fearlessly condemn the wrong it shall
be done as to the matter in question
per Sc without reference to the
political party advocating it.
And financially the Alliance is in
healthy state. Although some mis-
takes have been made, our Executive
Dammit 90 opJ RucinoCc Araucv boya
Strengthened out our business and we
now have over 100000 in North
Carolina per cent. bonds and cash,
besides our property at Headquarters
near Hillsboro. The Alliance also
owns the shoe factory machinery,
costing over 100000 and the build
ing in which it is located, all unem-
cum bered. This property, security
and machinery is for the benefit of
all, new as well as old members.
Evidences that the farmers are
awaking to the benefits such as Or
ganization as the Alliance should be,
and would be to them, come to us
from many sections of the State.
We anticipate a considerable revival
in the near future. There were
other causes than political rancor
which have been injurious to the
Order, among them the membership
of unworthy men. During the first
year or so of the Alliance few except
good men were admitted, and that
one was an Allianceman was gen
orally evidence that he was trust
worthy person, but as the greed for
membership grew nearly every one
who applied was admitted, and many
bad members were received. The
conduct of some of these in business
matters caused many good Alliance
men to quit the Order for their own
personal protection.
In reorganization there should be
vigilance as to the reception of mem
bers. The Committee on ENamina-
ton should examine carefully, and
the Alliance protected from the en-
trance of unworthy embers, who
would be of no benefit and whose
membership would prevent desirable
persons from joining.
The n. {. +. S. Alliance has for the
present several it's connected with
the National Order, and is governed
only by it own Constitution and
regulations. Should it ever become
desirable to resume connection with
the National Alliance it can be done
In some sections of the State there
is contention for a new farmers
organization. Under the liberal
charter granted us by the State, the
Alliance can be made to accomplish
anything desirable we may wish.
There is certainly no need for new
organization. 1t will be far better
to reorganize the Alliance, avoid the
mistakes of the past and live up to its
principles in spirit of fraternity
and brotherlv love.