The Green Forest tribune., 1909-10-22
REBUILDING OF THE UNION
Prospects Excellent and Permanent Benefits to Occur to the People
 Were Never Better.

The Texas state union has just closed one of the most successful and harmonious conventions in its history, and the prospects for the upbuilding of the union and the permanent bene- fits to occur to the people were never 1 better, writes George s. Terrell, in Texas Farm Co-operator. In starting the battle for fair prices for farm | produce under the new administra- tion, few thoughts from man who has never held office in the union might be beneficial. I have watched the course of the Grange and the AL liance and have noticed their mis- takes, and we should always profit by the mistakes of others. have watched the movements of the union still closer than 1 did those of the other bodies, for I am older and feel the need of closer union among the farm CTS more than I ever did before. The union has made some mistakes at tributable partly to lack of sound busi' ness judgment, but more largely to to unavoidable obstacles, both within and without the organization. These obstacles are now fairly out of the way, and with the exercise of good business sense on the part of those in authority and by giving the official people proper support the union should grow and become a power for good that no outside influence could de- stroy. If the union is ever destroyed it will be by it's own ranks and mem- bership in not doing their full duty. All the means of infidelity cannot de- stroy the church of God when hurled from the outside, but let the devil get into the church and divide the destroyed it's influence for good is badly crippled. I would lay down the following fundamental principles, which, if observed by all the mem- bers, and especially those who under take to teach the people and build up the union, will strengthen our cause and give more confidence among the | business men and the sub substantial powers who think they can get along very well with the union:
 1. Let every man who goes out to i lecture for the union prepare himself l thoroughly and be able to show the | people just what the union has done and what it will do for the people | if it is thoroughly supported. Don't make statements that cannot be found ed on fact, as many speakers have done, but state the facts in the proper | way and they will appeal to all sensi ble men, and they are the kind the union most needs at this time.
 2. Support the officers of the union in all their efforts to carry on the great work they have undertaken. Never withdraw your support from them unless they prove to be corrupt Give them the benefit of the doubt in every instance.
 3. The union is a non-partisan or ganization in all it's principles, being | broad enough for all men who til! the soil to stand upon them regardless of all party affiliation. Therefore, Of ficial recognition should not be given to any candidate for office or the management of the Co-operator to commit the union to any man will be hurtful to the cause of unionism. It | is supposed that the union knows their friends and will vote rigSt without organized effort along that line.
 1. Reforms can be had in our own government along the lines alreacy laid down by our officials. Let t continue to send the best men wa can get to represent us before the | legislature and before the congress of the United States, and we will get results as we never have before, But they will come quicker and in larger packages than before. Let our public officials know what we want and ask nothing but what is right and | press our demands as other organ izations do theirs and we will come out victorious in the end.
 5. The coming year is going to try our membership is if by fire. The failure of the corn crop and an al most failure of the cotton crop, is going to make hard times, but we must stand by the union and our de- mands for fair prices stronger than ever before. We ought to have 15 for our cotton, and it will reach that figure probably by next spring or summer My advice to those who are compelled to realize some more on the cotton is to sell a few bales at present prices and then hold firmly for the union price fixed by the national union and the price will
 be reached before 12 months from now.