The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-07-31
A WE GO

issue of The Progressive Farmer the
fourteenth annual session of the
North Carolina Farmers State Ali
ance will begin. We hope that every
delegate and alternate and many
other wide-awake brethren will be
on hand. A State Alliance meeting
is worth seeing, whether or not you
are a delegate. IF every Sub. could
have one representative at the State
meeting to get in touch with the faith,
the enthusiasm, the determination
there exhibited, the influence for good
could hardly be over-estimated.
The meeting of this year is one
| of unusual Importance. 1t is to
determine whether or not the order
shall go forward. There is no doubt
that the farmers of North carolina
realize, more keenly, perhaps, than
ever before, the need Of thorough
organization. The trusts and com
bines that have taken advantage of
the farmers unorganized condition
to plumber him-the grinding OPP
preston of the tobacco trust, the
revival of the jute bagging trust,
and the organization of trusts
in nearly every industry-ren-
der the organization of the far
mers a matter of absolute necessity.
Those hitherto unwilling to acknowl-
edge this have at last been forced to
a realization of the self-evident fact.
There are many other facts that
have rendered the organization of
the farmers a matter of more vital
importance ever before. The rapid
development of manufacturing en-
terprises in North Carolina has made
profitable branches of agriculture
hitherto undeveloped a more pro-
gressive and profitable system of
farming must be adopted. For edu-
cation in all matters, for a better
social life among our people, for the
general uplifting of agriculture and
agricultural interests the Alliance
is needed.
The charge of partisanship so of
ten brought against the Order for
years prevented reorganization, but
this charge was completely knocked
out at the last State meeting and
with proper work on the part of the
State Alliance and it's officers there
seems to be nothing to prevent a
general Alliance revival. While, OF
account of the campaign, there has
been little progress made as to an
increase of membership this year,
there has been perhaps less scatter
ing than usual during a campaign,
while the change of sentiment
among outsiders from that of indiff-
erence Or opposition to the Alliance
to that of avowed friendliness has
been quite marked and general.
Shall the Alliance seize the oppor-
tunity presented and by wise and
judiciOus action and earnest work
grow again to the strength it should
have? Let the delegates to the State
Alliance take the problem now and
study it. So far as we have heard
from, they are good men-men anx-
iOus to build up the Order upon the
principles of the Declaration of Pur-
poses, who will go to Hillsboro with
out prejudice, unhealthy rivalry,
or selfish ambition and work for
this great purpose. The opportunity
is ours. Let us LAY aside every
weight and run with patience the
race that is set before US" No time
must be lost. AS Bro. Parker writes
us:
1.-The more I think about it, the
more 1 e the need of vigorous
work Immediately after the State
meeting. If we are to be tenants
for the trusts, the sooner we realize
it and adapt ourselves to the situa-
ton, the sooner we will get used to
it and stop lamenting."
There is a tide in the affairs of
men, which, taken at the food leads
on to fortune; omitted, all the voy-
age of their life is bound in shadows
and in miseries. On such a sea are
we now afOat and we must take
the current when it serves, or lose
our ventures" Let US act wisely.
1t is evident that the great fight
in the election Thursday will be
over the Legislature. Each party is