The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-09-13

any 13ltn, us H1SlOIy UcCOiiOS Spiiie
stirring, noteworthy.
For more than a generallOn the
average citizen has been content to
move along the well-beaten highway
trod by his forefathers He had plen-
ty of for the multitude was
travelling that way. If a great DOulO-
er o~bStructed the road and lmpeded
his progress, he climbed Wearlly ONef
it or wendell his way slowly around
it. If a Quagmire had gradually
formed in the way, he waded through
it Just as those before him were do
ing. Over hills and valleys he plOd-
ded along with bowed head, scarcely
noticing that the way was long and
tortuous. Ever and anon he would
stop and lift his eyes to get his bear
ings; perhaps thinking the while, that
he was long in reaching the goal Of
his hopes. Sign boards placed with
i'll design directed him into d lOnger
and more circultOuS rOute-a route
on which he was halted at every turn
by a toll-gate that relieved him of a
part Of the products of his labor. At
times he would come to himself and
resent the action of the tOli-gatherer
as an unjust imposition, only to be told
that he could pay the fare and travel
that way, or else turn aside and blaze
out a new way for himself. He was
not familiar with the He
hardly knew the points OF the COM
pass, round about him, great noun
tainS seemed to loom up on all sides.
The task was too formidable for him
to undertake single-handed. He paid
the toll, took up his burden and again
fell into line with the masses. The
tiny spark CT ambition was snuffed
out. Hope italf was all but dead.
He didn't have time to read and was
90 tired to think. His political
views, if he had any, were either in
nerited or made to order-the order
Of the political bosses-and handed
down at every election. 1t did not
occur to him that the government
was made for the people and not the
people for the government. He did
not realize that the laws and regula-
tons making possible the existing
commercial conditions, were man
made and if unfair and ineQuitable
could be changed (provided this great
multitude united their efforts to that
end.)
1t is true that spasmodic attempts
were made to establish concerted and
united action on the part Of this great
multitude. But the masses were ig-
norant and had not yet learned to do
their own thinking. They were easily
led astray by leaders who were either
deluded or designing. The final re
suit was disruption Of the organiza-
tons.
But thank God, the sun of a new
day has arisen. This great multi
tude of the wealth producers of the
nation is no longer Flooding along
with downcast eyes in the footsteps
of their fathers. With head erect
and every faculty on the alert, they
are studying conditions and watching
men. They are thinking for Them
selves. They have discovered that
the long, billy, cooked highway with
the burdensOme tolls, a be greatly
improved. 1t can be Strengthened.
h hills can be brought low and the
valleys made level. The majority Of
the toll gates can be eliminated; and
where one is necessary, the keeper
of the gate can be made to demand
toll only in proportion to the service
rendered the travelling public. This
can not be accomplished by one man
nor by a hundred men. But by the
union and cooperation of all this pro-
ducing multitude, all Of these things,
and more, can be accomplished. And
it is going to be done for it is right
and this multitude has Willed it.
No longer can it be said hat here
is a people content with just VIVA
1T can eat and handle"-Without
faith, without hope, without am bition.
This people is alive and has a vital,
living faith. It is making history,
"spirit-stirring, noteworthy" history.
The truth Of this statement is being
demonstrated in the city Of Charlotte,
September 9Th to Sth, where repre-
sentatives Of the great agricultural
class Of twenty-five States, have gath
cred in annual convention Of the Ma
t1onal Union. This body will
be both aggressive and conservative.
Its pickets will be constantly posted on
the line Of %efense: but it will not
hesitate to assume the offensive when
occasion calls for such attention.
Its leaders are men who have been
tried under fire and have never vet
hoisted the white flag, or sold out to
the enemy. The rank and file Of the
membership are sturdy, determined
men, but men who are earnestly seek
ing light, that they may know and do
y ~:-A4