The progressive farmer., 1901-07-02


Correspondence Of The Progressive Farmer.
cline upon line and precept upon
precept," is maxim often quoted.
1t is upon this principle that l write
this article. There may be good
deal of threshing over of old straw,
but If we get single kernel of truth
that shall be planted and bring forth
q harvest, it will be time well spent.
The time for the July county
meeting is rapidly approaching This
is the most important meeting of the
year for the wisdom or lack of wis
dom exercised at this meeting will
affect the Alliance for it's good or
hurt throughout the year. In con-
sequence of this, caution and pru-
dence should be exercised in our de-
Hberations. Officers for the ensuing
year will be selected at the July
meetings. In the selection of the
proper persons, suitable for the posi-
tions that they are TO fill, much care
should be shown for remember that
the Alliance will be judged by it's
representatives.
Let me suggest that the subject,
"The best plan to re organize the
Alliance" be discussed at each
county meeting; then instruct the
delegate to present the plan at the
State meeting. By this means there
will be definite ideas from all parts
of the State introduced at the State
meeting that may result in a plan by
which the Alliance can again be
made strong.
It might be we'll before taking up
the subject of reorganization at the
county meetings, to discuss: ''Why
am 1 an Allianceman?" This will,
or should develop the fact that we
have for our purpose the uplifting
''of the 1aboring classes, reformation
and economy, and the dissemination
of the principles best calculated to
encourage and foster agricultural
and mechanical pursuits. With
such purposes as these we should
not be content to stand still, but be
imbued with missionary spirit TO
go out and help others, thereby most
effectively helping ourselves.
We should not forget the fact that
we are part of the State of North
Carolina, for the people that we rep
resent comprise more than 80 per
cent. of her population, and that our
purpose is to build her up into a
great State by building up her peo-
pie into a great citizenship with lofty
and noble purposes. AS has been
said before, the Alliance has no war
to make on any people who are do
ing legitimate business, willing TO
live and let live; all such we bid
God speed. The field is large enough
and our interests are such that we
can be mutual help to each other,
thus strengthening the cord of
people together, proving that indeed
we are brothers with but a single
purpose, that of lifting up the whole
of our people to a higher plane
mentally, morally, socially and
financially" In this we are unwill-
ing that the farmer should be one
whit behind, and made hewers of
of wood and drawers of water for the
other classes. If he does so, it is his
OWE fault, for opportunity comes to
him as to others. If he will only
grasp it, success may be his reward.
In this, organization is only another
word for opportunity.
The farmers of North Carolina
have a history rich in deeds of dar-
ing and patriotism, proving their
loyalty to their State, and develop
ing her wonderful resources. Let
Us not fOrget this, nor yet be content
with it, but let US continue to write
and have it's pages still richer and
better filed with history that gen
erations TO come will be proUder of
than any that has yet been written.
This is neither an idle dream nor an
impossibility. 1t can be accomplished
by wise organization that has for it's
only purpose that of carrying out
the principles of the Alliance.
This is an age of progress; but
who or what class is making most
progress? 1t is men with well-de-
fined purpose and who come together
to discuss their purpose. That is
the first step toward organization.
For this nrngress to be renL urnnrnsa