The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-01-17
soME NU rs FOR YOU TO CRACK.
Bro Parker Writes q Letter Which
Should Put Every Farmer to Think
ing And Acting
O~orrespondenoe of The Progressive Farmer.

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practical lessons value we have learned
that can profitably be taken with US as
we plan our work for the incoming
year. Also note as far as possible the
mistakes and leave them behind. 1t
is in this way that we may be able to
turn our mistakes to profit, by not
committing them a second time. Not
only is this applicable in our daily
work, whether it be farm, shop or
household, but in our Alliance work,
as well. Is your Alliance in good work
ing older9 II not, Why3 There is
cause and by proper investigation, and
application of the remedy, a dormant
Alliance may be converted into an
active body, spreading it's il fuence for
good throughout the community. 1t
may be that it will require sacrifice
and humility On your part to get at
the true aus and properly apply the
remedy. If SO enter upon your duties
with a stronger determination and
never tire, until you have done your
full duty and your efforts crowned
with success. In this you will be made
stronger and better by having con,
quered self. No community or neigh,
borhood can fail to be benef1tted by an
active Alliance in it's midst, dissem
mating true Alliance principles. And
no people should withhold their en-
couragement from anything that tends
to elevate and place man on a higher
plane and enlarged field of usefulness.
Study the first and fundamental
principles of the Alliance until they be
come a part of yourself, 90 that your
everyday life will reflect them. In
this way the thoughtful and we'll in
tended will be attached toward US.
Then it will be that the Alliance, like
truth crushed to earth, will rise
again" and be stronger and purer and
better, having learned valuable lessons
from experience. There are plenty
good people in almost any neighbor-
hood TO form an Alliance, who believe
in it's true principles, if you will con
vince them that there is no obj@ct in
view but the declared purposes of the
Alliance, so beautifully enunciated in
it's constitution.
The great majority of our farmers
GEE and feel the need Of an organization
to bring them in close touch with each
other. This has been taught them by
the greatest minds in the State, and
proclaimed in every township, by our
best men regardless of party afilia-
tions. With such feelings, why can't
we get together as we once were, profit
by past mistakes and dwell together in
unity? Obliterate every vestige of
politics, carefully guard our halls, ad-
nit no one whom we suspect Of trying
to enter to SOW seeds of discord, or
who is actuated by other improper
motives; then we might again assume
proportions that we would be proud of.
We had better have no "demards" or
politics at all, than have them assume
a partisan hue, for it is then, that
divisions and diaintegration take place.
and we are shorn Of our power for
mutual help and protection. It is
when thus divided, that some octopus
that feeds and fattens on the labors of
the farmer, laughs and gives the screw
another turn that he may squeeze us
for more tribute.
How forgetful we are, and how soon
we lay experience on the shelf and
shut our eyes to its lessons! Il has
been but a few short years sirca the
cotton bRgging trust made a levy on
the farmers of the South. But then
we were a unit. We spoke az one man.
We struck with one mighty arm. The
bagging trust fell, trembled and was
dead at our feet. Today other trusts
are confronting US and demanding
tribute, that will lengthen your hours
Of labor to meet their re lirement. A
pillow that could have been bought a
few months since for less than one dol,
lar, today costs 81 IS. Castings have
been raised in proportion. One man
controls every pillow factory of any
size in the South, and North TOO so far
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features a single pillow. He formed a
trust, which pays him better. Nor is
this the only trust thRt is looming up.
Others will follow and make their de
mands as long as we quietly submit TO
taem. What are you going to do about
ia shut your eyes to the possibilities
of o~rganization9 Plant an increased
acreage in cotton7 Work longer hourk9
Spend less for reading matter2 Cur