The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-18

The Advantages of the Alliance Are
Set Forth.

A condition and not a theory now
confrontS the tobacco farmerS-a con-
dition that is largely due to the lack of
intelligent organization and co-opera-
ion. We had as we'll look the situa-
ton squarely in the face. and govern
ourselves accordingly. 1t is we'll known
that the American and Imperial Tobac-
co Companies, after they pooled inter-
ests last fall, gave the farmers a fore
taste of what they might expect this
season in the way of low prices, which
caused tobacco men generally to adj
wise planting a small crop for 1903.
Had there been active organization
and cooperation among the farmers
at the time n a full and free discus
sion of the situation and pending dam
ger, the tobacco crop for this year
would, in all probability, hav been
ever smaller than it nov is, and pro-
vision could nave been made to thWart
the of the combine to get to-
bacco for less than the cost of produc-
ton. AS it was, some needed the warn
ing and reduced acreage while others
did not. Those who did not are the ones
who are now suffering most from the
demoralized conditions of the market.
And yet these need not feel discour-
aged beyond endurance. They need
only to look back at the days of the
jute bagging trust and remember what
unity OF purpose n action did then.
The same unity of action on h part
of the farmers now toward the tobacco
trust would accomplish for them results
equal to those accomplished then. De-
termination not to sell at a sacrifice.
backed up by concert of action will
make them victors in their fight for bet
ter prices. However the farmers O
seem to be determined to come together
in organization; the spirit is abroad in
the land.
1t is gratifying to those who stood
by the Alliance in its adversely as well
as in it's prosperity, ever faithful and
true to it's declaration of purposes, to
fell hat the fruition of their hopes is
so neal at hand-that the farmers OF
the state are again to be knit together
by fraternal obligations. The fires have
been kept burning on the altar, and a
light in the window awaiting their re-
turn. When the farmers have again as
sembled in the Alliance halls, and re-
dedicated themselves to its work, may
there be no looking backward, but only
a determination to push upward and
forward until they shall stand in the
frOnt ranks of American citizenship. II
the order has made mistakes heretofore
IL has profted by them, and their inju-
rious effects have put it on guard
against repeating them.
The Alliance is not the porcupine
briStling only with thornS, offensive and
| defensive. that many suppose II to be
It is not a rigid, fixed, infleXible insti-
tuition; but it is pliable and will be JUS
What the membership makes il. Il
stands for much; its purposes are no.
bic and inspiring; its mission a great
grand n good one. While the Alliance
should ever be ready to resist the at
tack of the oppressor, it also cultivates
the virtues leading to good n progress
sive citizenship, encouraging its mem
bers 10 higher ideals and better meth
DDS in whatever they undertake. Il
stands for better schools, better roads
better literature and everything thai
makes country life purer, happier, and
J more attractive. It wants the farmers