The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-09-24
ORGANIZATION NEEDED.
An App al to the Farmers Of the
State.

4 condition and not theory now CON
fronts the tobacco farmers-a condition
that is largely due to the lack OF intelli-
gent organization and cooperation. We
had as well look the situation squarely
in the face and govern ourselves accord
ingly 1t is well known that the American
and the Imperial Tobacco Companies,
after they pooled interests last fall, gave
the farmers foretaste Of what they
might expect this season in the way OF
low prices, which caused tobacco men
generally to advise plantinga small crop
for 1903.
Had there been active organization
and cooperation among the farmers at
that time, and full and free discussion
OF the situation and pending danger, the
tobacco crop for this year would, in all
probability, have been even smaller than
it now is, and provision could have been
made to thwart the purposes Of the
combine to get tobacco for less than the
cost of production. is it was, some
needed the warning and reduced acre
age while others did not. Those who
did not are the ones who are now suffer
ing most from the dem Oralized condition
OF the market.
And vet these need not feel discouraged
beyond endurance They need only to
look back at the days of the jute bag
ging trust and remember what unity OF
purpose and action did then. The same
unity of action on the part of the farm
ers now toward the tobacco trust would
| accomplish for them results equal to
those accomplished then. Determination
not to sell at a sacrifice, backed UP by
concert of action will make them victOrs
in their fight for better prices. However,
the farmers now 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 III its adversely as well as in
| it's prosperity, ever faithful and true to
| its Declaration of Purposes, to feel that
the fruition of their hopes is SO near at
hand-that the farmers OF the State are
again to be knit together by fraternal
| obligations. The fires have been kept
burning OH the altar, and a light in the
window awaiting their return. When
! the farmers have again assembled in the
| Alliance halls, and re-dedicated themselves
to it's work, may there be no looking
| backward, but only q determination to
push upward and forward until they
shall stand in the front ranks OF Ameri-
can citizenship. If the Order has made
mistakes heretofore, it has profted by
them and their injurious effects have put
it on guard against repeating them
| The Alliance is not the pOrcupine hrist-
ling only with thorns, offensive and defen-
sive, that many suppose it to be. 1t is
not a rigid fixed. intiexible institution;
| but it is pliab!e and will be Just what
| the membership makes it. 1t stands for
| much; its purposes are noble and inspir
| ing; it's mission great, grand and good
| !, tJa 81, o,,ll Il
| ready to resist the attack Of the oppres-
sor, it also cultivates the virtues leading
| to good and progressive citizenship en-
couraging it's members to higher ideals
| and better methods in whatever they IN
dertake. 1t stands for better schools,
better roads, better literature and every
thing that makes country life purer, hap
pier and more attractive. 1t wants the
farmers to know their business. to study
it from a business-like standpoint, that
they may cultivate, buy and sell to the
very best advantage. These things can
be accomplished only through co-opera-
| ton; hence the advantages of the Ali
ance should appeal to the thinking farm
ers of the State. It's doors are wide
open to all good people who are eligible
to membership therein and to such it ex-
tends Il hearty welcome and helping
hand.
This truly is a day of organization and
the farmers should not be an exception
to the rule, thereby leaving themselves
exposed to the tender mercies C!) Of or
ganized greed.
The present seems to be an suspicious
time for organization; the people are
| ready. Wherever there is an organized
Alliance let it's members bestir themselves
and get their neighbors to come in and
be one with them. Where there is no
Alliance let the neighbors come together
in mass-meeting and reorganize one. !
trust some progressive farmer in each
neighborhood will take the matter in
hand and push the work to completion
The writer will gladly send any informa-
ton at his command to any one inter
ested. Do not delay, but take up the
work at once For further information.
| address I. b. PARKER. Sec.
Raleigh, y. c.