The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-17
ABOUT ORGANIZATION
Address to State Alliance by
W. B. Fleming, President.
Delivered at Hillsboro at The Meeting Of The
North Carolina Farmers State
Alliance,


the North Carolina Farmers State Al
lance. delivered at Hinsboro, N c..
August II. 1902:
We are thankful that we have been
permitted to meet in annual session the
sixteenth time as a State Alliance. We
congratulate the sub-Alliances that have
furnished delegates to compose this body;
it is evidence that there is continued
faith in the order.
Nothing of special note in Alliance mat
tiers has occurred since our last meet
ing. A quiet has prevailed which indi-
Gates that a large per cent of the farm
ers are either contented in their condi-
tion of poverty or they have no confidence
in union Of strength through organiza..
tion to better their condition.
The official reports of the several de-
partments will be submitted at the pro-
per time, which will put you in posses
sion of all necessary information as to
the condition of the Alliance numerical
ly and financially.
There are evils of a political nature
that affict our State and reforms needed
which I shall not mention; there are
indications that each will have the at
tention of the people before great while.
For several years there have been efforts
which encourage the disposition on the
part of many farmers to organize and
CO. operate on different lines to secure
some specific object. These organizations
at best are temporarily entered into under
stress of circumstances and are local, if
not selfish, in their nature. Those who
engineer them know that it takes an i'm
mense amount of faith courage and hard
work to convince their fellow farmers that
results beneficial to all can be obtained.
Oftener than otherwise such associations
dissolve without accomplishing anything,
except possibly to put some leader in
county or State office. After awhile
necessity again arises to organize for
protection against low prices or some
other grievance and then the same
amount of work must be done again,
which is a trying and expensive pro-
cedure and should be abandoned, for the
Alliance, which is a non-political and
permanent organization, Offered by the
voice and votes of the order, is we'll
equipped and always available. At
critical moment valuable time and money
need not be spent to create public opin-
ion, but being in touch through sub
Alliances, any emergency may be con-
sidered and acted upon in a few days
or weeks that would otherwise require
months or years.
We will say, however, in passing that
every true Alliance man halls with joy
the spirit of organization that prompts
such efforts for protection and regrets
that they have so signally failed, for we
believe the successful organization on
any agricultural line would benefit the
Alliance, and the membership of such
associations finally drift into its ranks.
But every time such efforts fail it is
victory for those who wish to keep the
farmers scattered and the old song is
repeated Farmers will not stick" We
cordially invite our fellow farmers who
are or have been members of the recent
temporary associations to join our order
and stand with us for mutual protection.
We assure them that they will be re-
ceived with warm hearts and may have
the machinery and experience of the AL
lance to right their grievances though
they may be many.
At last, public education is first and
foremost in the minds of many political
leaders and prominent educators, which
is pleasing thought, though these men
are years behind the Alliance in this
movement. The founders of our order
realize that to better the condition of
the agricultural classes, education should
be encouraged and fostered by the organ
ization; therefore, in the declaration of
principles the first clause reads: ITO
IF
tural classes in the science of economical
government in a strictly nom partisan
spirit" Hence with the Alliance sprang
up an educational interest which gave
needed aid and encouragement to the
State and county officials who were en-
trusted with the direction Of public edu-
cation This interest fostered the A. and
NJ. College, which was brought into ex-
istence by farmers clubs which preceded
and were converted into the Alliance
when it entered this State, and also es-
tablished the Normal and Industrial COL
lege at Greensboro. This interest mas
grown and circumstances connected
Herewith have developed an educational
campaign IN the State such as we nave
never before had. The Governor is pos
sibly spending more time to arouse the
people on educational lines than
has ever been spent on any
line in the past and many
prominent educators are working mar
moniously with him to accomplish one
great end, namely that more of the young
people may have higher education and
all the children have an opportunity to
read and write. We feel that the ALI
ance will aid and support every reason
able effort that may be made to ad-
vance education.
In like manner the Alliance has en-
couraged other essentials to progress,
leading to better citizenship, and no or
ganization has accomplished so much in
developing that independence OF thought
and action necessary in free govern
ment.
AS an organization we are not as hys-
terical at the mention of trusts as we
once were, yet they are more numerous
and have grown greater in evil doing.
We recognize the fact that there are or
CARNATIONS, corporations and trusts that
stife competition, injure our people and
interfere with the development OF lndl-
vidual enterprises. Knowing that these
forces are at work in our land the farm
ers should connect themselves with the