The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-10
President Graham to the
Farmers Alliance
ITISA GREAT ADDRESS
Broad in Scope, Logical in Tres >ent,
the Essay Shows the farmers vitaN
Interest in Transportation, Cor
porations, Labor, Education,
The Race Problem
Especial to News and Observer.)


Especial to News and Observer
Hillsboro, n. c., Aug. 9.-The Far
mers' Alliance convened in annual ses-
sion here today, many delegates be-
ing in attendance and unusual interest
manifested in the work and aims. of
the association.
The event of the day was the ad-
dress of the president of the associa-
ton. John Graham, of Warren county.
In calm. thoughtful words be exposed
the sophistry that the farmer has no
concern with things outside of the
farm-citing how vital the interest of
the farmer is in the markets Of the
world, the means of transportation, Ia
bcr, education, the race problem and
many other things.
The Presidents Address.
His address follows in full:
Brethren of the Farmers Alliance:
Allow me- to congratulate you that
we meet at this our annual session
under such favorable auspices. Pre-
judice towards the Alliance seems to
be disappearing by degrees and it is
to be hoped that the farmers of
North Carolina. and not only of North
Carolina but of the whole United
States at no distant date will be found
again united and striving for the dis
semination of their views in reference
To the basic principles OF sound gov
ernment as established by our fore
fathers and embodied in our motto,
''euual rights TO all and special priv1-
legeS to none.
1t is claimed by some that you have
no right TO discuss matters other than
those pertaining to agriculture, and
fT,r.t rf N a
voice in reference to the monetary
affairs of this country or In reference
to charges for transportation is pre-
sumptious ana can result only in harm
to your own interests and those or
the country at large. The business
interests of this country must be con-
sidered at all times and the agricul-
tural classes, composing three-fourthS
of our citizenship and paying direct
ly and indirectly the bulk of taxes
and in time of war furnishing the
rank and file of our armies their in
terests are not to be considered buSi-
ness interests, when they come In con-
flict with the great money power as
represented by the railroads. national
banks and trusts. Men or your class
settled this country, cleared its for
eStS drove back the wild savage, grap-
pied with the crowned ruler of the
greatest empire on earth and eStab-
lished your country's independence
and proclaimed in terms Of thunder
that taxation without representation
is unjust" Controlled and governed in
great part by Southern farmers and
their sons these United States pros
pered AS never a country prOspered
before. Politicians precipitated the
war between the States. The farmers
of North Carolina did all that they
could to prevent that unfortunate fra
tricidal conflict. out when the Aboli-
tionists of the North and the Seces-
sionists oc the South precipitated that
terrific battle between the white
American of the South and the white
American of the North. the farmers
of America furnished the bulk OF
those who served in the ranks and
with their fellow cO-DatriotS of all
classes placed America upon the pin
nacle of nations.
Now, are you not vitality interested
in other things than the mere pro-
duction of crops: Are you not con-
cerned as to whether this fall you
shall receive ten cents for your cotton
or eight? Are not the manufacturers
thoroughly organized. both in this
country and upon the European con-
tinent. and if they combine will not
you cotton farmers be as helpless as
your brother tobacco farmers are to-
day unless you thoroughly organize?
Are you not interested in longer school
terms for the education of your chill
dren? When you were well organized
did you not have a potent influence in
the establishment of the State Normal
and Industrial College and the Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College? Did
you not reduce the rate Of interest to
six per cent in spite OF the cry that
you would drive money out of the
State and ruin the basiness interests
of the country DID you nos cstao-
lish railroad commission and as a
result comfortable waiting rooms have
been built at most stations, and there
is promise of greater benefits in the
future.
The Transportation Question.
No public question concerns you
more than that of transportation.
Some one has said that .'hc who con-
trolS the transportation of a country
controls that country Your fore
fathers projected great railroad
system for North Carolina That sys-
tenn was built by the State and it's
citizens, but its control has passed
into the hands OF aliens And the
little remnant that is left, extending
from Goldsboro to Beaufort so greedy
arc the corporations for ii that not
content with what they already have
they even dare to invade the temple
of Justice to deprive North Carolina
of her own property. Thank God we
have a Governor. bred on a farm. aid
ed by "A Chief Justice. bred on a farm
who has convinced Federal officials
that North Carolina knows her rights
and knowing dares maintain them y