The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-24

its own Constitution and regulations.
Should it ever become desirable to re-
smne connection with the National ALI
ance it can be done.
In some sections of the State there is
a contention for Il new farmers organl-
cation. Under the liberal charter grant
ed us by the State, the Alliance can he
made to accomplish anything desirable
we may wish. There is certainly no nerG
for a new organization. lit will be far
better to re-organize the Alliance avoid
the mistakes of the past and live mp to
its principles in a spirit of fraternity and
brotherly love.
Let it be understood that the farmer
is 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 regulations of the country
But the farmer while an important class
is not the only useful class of our ctr
zens. Every legitimate business benefits
the whole population. We therefore
should labor I'M our sphere, not as enc
mics. but as allies of other useful profess
sions, and do nothing with the sole de
sire to injure others
There was a time when the farmers
were the happy contented class of our
county, and a yeomanry of prosperous
home owners, no matter how humble the
home, is the bulwark of a country. Our
farmers are not in a prosperous condition
today. There are those who either deny
tnds or attribute it to la2iness OF the
farmers, but in the next breath contra
dict themselves by attributing 1T to over
production.
The Alliance would afford opportunity
for a study of the causes of this condl-
ton and for exchange of views as to the
best methods of producing crops, raising
and fattening animals. preparation of
fertilizers, improving lands and hIgh-
ways marketing crops, and many details
i'm farm work, etc, and the best ideas
could be put into practical use. 1T corid
arrange programmes for farmers institI-
arrange programmes for farmers instl-
tutes to be held in the neighborhOod.
Among other Things it might also arrange
for a system of storage, warehouses, etc.
Oh. some means by which the crops world
not be thrown on the market in a slump,
but the sales be regulated so as to place
the different non-perishable crops, eSpe-
ciaIIy cotton, en- The market systematl-
cally throughout the year. And last but
by no aneans 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 fer the best
development of our young people into
noble and useful women and men, as
wen as for the benefit OF the older people.
-i1p
members of the Order who do not say
that they are las good Alliancemen as
ever. burt" They then relate some
grievance which is Frequently imaginary
or the result of their own conduct ana
which could be easily remedied by their
own action.
The Alliance elevated the farmers as
no other institution ever has done. 1t
taught them to think, and by it they
learned 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 he expected. The inter
ests of Caesar may 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 organization and the
advantages Of corporation have in
creased with each succeeding year slDae
we first joined hands in 1888. Every
other class realizing THAT tn union there
is strength, is united. In this age of or
ganization, we too must organize.
We therefore cordially invite all clgi-
bic persons to unite with us in the en-
deavor to rebuild the Alliance, with the
great objects set forth in our Declaration
of Purposes-to develop a bette" state
mentally, morally, socially, and fna1-
cially to educate ourselves upon all mat
ters affecting our welfare; to maintain
law and order; to suppress personal,
local, and national prcjudices, and TO
promote in every possible way the best
and highest interests of our people AMI
our country.
w. a. GRAHAM,
VN r pARI[FR