The farmer and mechanic., 1910-09-27

-aDtatiye" and most significant Ma
+:oraI President c. S. Barrett has is
sued a circular letter to the press of
America. reaching through it the Off
Gers and members of the Farmers
T-ui0n. From the deep local interest
f4I4 in this State because the meet
ING was held in Charlotte the state
ynrnt issued is significant and will be
~ead with interest by all who realize
fh,, importance of the part which the
tanners play and the more important
part which they are yet to play in
the economy of modern civilization
The statement follows:
Sir. Barrett's Views.
..To the officers and Members Of the
Farmers Union:
Largest in point Of attendance.
most representative from a geographi-
cal standpoint and most significant for
the serious and determined air Of
business methods under which it was
conducted, the National Convention
Of the Farmers Union Just closed in
Charlotte, was unquestionably the
most successful of the national gath
yrtncs in the history of our order
From year to year | have watched
the organization develop into greater
proportions as reflected in these na-
tiouai conventions. 1t has remained
for the one just held to record new
most for the permanent good both to
the actual membership and to the
farm rs generally of America
All organized States We're repre-
sentcd, and the personnel Of the rep
rostntaton was Of the highest posi-
ble order. We have had sore-heads
and trOuble-makers in previous con-
NeNUonS. There were few or none in
the convention that has just reached
its conclusion. A spirit of brother
hood and Of unity which prophesies
spl ndid things for the future, gov
ernod the deliberations of the organ
jzej farmers of America.
"One of the most significant features
o. the convention was the absence
of foot resolutions that used to cause
ne misgivings in previous conven-
t0us, som etimes members, with the
best Of intentions burt wrong headedly,
would introduce resolutions looking
to eNtraVa CANT expenditures, or chim-
erical schemes or altruistic and i'm
possible ventures. The fact that these
phases were cOnspicuously missing
from the recent convention is conclu-
siNe evidence that the membership is
Durg ng itself Of folly or of unprofit-
able dreaming and directing its driv-
ing force instead at practical ends by
practical means.
"The legislative program framed
by the convention largely parallels the
ISSUES and measures heretofore ad-
vanced by myself and by your board
OF directors and legislative commit
tees, though minor amendments and
additions will cause a slight revision
ol policies 1t is our intention to
prosecute this winter at Washington
the most aggressive fight in our his
tory for legislative measures and re-
ioTmS of interest to the mem berShi D
Of the American farmer without re-
gard TO location. / promise you that
my utmost influence and energies will
be employed in giving execution to
the mandate handed down by the con-
ventiOn, to the end that the national
government shall take more actual
cognizance Of the needs and the rights
OF the American farmers.
Self-PreservatiOn.
I'm this connection, it Will be Of in
terost to the mem bership to learn that
We took a thorough census at the con-
FontiOn of Congressional candidates
defeated by the efforts Of the Farm
ers JnlOn-I refer to the COngreSsme an
VINO were Indifferent to our request
lor aid until they came up for re-
election, and who then went down on
thelT knees to us. We have observed
the policy of helping those who help
US, and | assure you the list of aSplr-
Ing politicians whom we were instru-
III ntal in defeating for their indiffer-
ence or treachery was truly formida-
Die. Our work along this line has
however, merely begun I have al
ways and will always decry and de-
nounce partisan politics within the or
DER But this is not partisan politics;
II IS preservation of the highest
ordef, and it is fighting the devil with
nfe Only to the extent we make pol
tuClans appreciate the power Of ou1
ballots, lrresp ective Of partisan align
Hent' will we succeed in securing leg
33SlNe redress along the lines mos
helpful to our cause
All Sections Represented.
notable feature of the conven-
toh IS the fact that your official fam
ny lhere selected comes from every
pdFt or the country. We did not Sc
oul by design to have geographical
presentation as a basis for the ma
ta'naI officials. but it happened thai
OF fn