The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-02-25
The Chosen Farmers Of America.

sive to a conscience conscience
which despite of desperate conditions
cannot be impeaehed or wholly ami
Inflated. AID it is this conscience
which we believe to be the important
factor for sustaining the integrity OF
free government and upon which the
structure of an adequate enancipa-
ton for equal privileges to all and
special privileges to none can and
shall be erected. For history disclOses
that all successful reforms have ever
originated, been endured, maintained
and eventually secured more partic-
ularly by the agricultural class (knoWn
in history generally as peasantry).
And it needs not the words of his
tory to affirm the creation of the peo-
pies party reform structure: for that
it was established upon the foundation
designed by associations of agIicul-
turists is known of all men. How well
we remember the majestic force and
power of the farmers alliance and the
farmers mutual benefit association
and the keen welcome extended by the
long discouraged men, Of want for ade-
quately paid wor1, that their destitute
families might be delivered from the
gaunt specter of starvation, disease
and death.
A squad or battalion of thirty or
sixty men with guns and bayonets
and marching all shoulder to shoulder.
With what precision they drive before
them mob Of thousands Of passion
ate, angry people and scatter them as
the wind drives autumn leaves! That
power of the few in battalion column,
which quells the wanton spirit of the
thousand is organization" the few
are drilled, educated; they battle with
system of acton, knowing that each
is supported by every comrade in the
company, in the regiment, division,
corps and the whole army if need be.
Have the patriot millions who would
dare and do, rave they wanted and
waited for organization
organization? OF what other inspir-
alton to act have they lacked?
Yes, friends, our sincere belief is
the monitor, that to imperfect organi-
cation must we appropriate that de-
reform, which millions of patriots
have wanted and waited opportunity
through adequate organization to dare
and do.
| Adequate organization must include
every possible available auxiliary in
aid of the cause. Membership of or
| afIiliation with this or that political
party is in no considerate sense the
condition of being organized. AS we'll
claim you are organized because you
live in house or have the privilege
or right to be upon the highway!
To be organized, consists in having
a cooperative relation with Others in
a work or duty Of some specific char
acter to be pei formed; therefore Or
ganization means not only member
ship, but duties and obligations to
sustain. With this view, reformer
to be of worth and strength to the
cause should seek no rest or peace
until he becomes united with neigh
bors, acquaintaEces and all who may
be, through any worthy mesns, per-
suaded to join in an association Tor
organization Auxiliary requiring adj
herence to the principles enunciated
in that American utterance which de-
clares wealth belongs to him VINO
creates it and every dollar taken from
industry without an equivalent is rob-
berry"
Such an auxiliary organization is
that of The Chosen Farmers Of Amer
lea. with subordinate associations OF
the national refer endum, the divi-
slonal referendum. the county refer
endum, and the home union
This farmers association plan il
dedicated to the purpose of improving
the moral intellectual AID pecuniary
advancement of its membership ant
the safeguarding Of the farming com
munitics' general welfare with specis
} reference to a promotion of those in
terests which contributes relief to th,
poor mans most imperative necessi
lies, particularly the farmer In debt
the hard worked and struggling ten
J ant, the young man just beginning fei
himself with scant means. and th'
farm hand laborer. The origin of thu
/ association was the outgrowth OF |
! conference Of farmers, most OF whom
were experienced In public reform