Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-13
aAistellansuus Readina.
BARRETT ON POLITICIANS.
Can Best Serve Farmers BY Staying
Out of Politics.

Out of Politics.
Charles S. Barrett president Of the
National Farmers Union, in his )'tes;
open letter to the organiZa 1on
stresses unselfish service in both poll
| tics and within the farmers own or
ganizations.
1t is interesting at this point to note
that recently compiled statistics OF the
Farmers Union show that the organi-
zation Is growing steadily in numbers
and influence, with the exception of
very few states.
1t is perhaps the first time In the
history of any purely farmers organi-
zation this condition has prevailed.
For a time the union appeared to be
doomed to the same fate that has
overtaken practically every similar or
ganization-slow disintegration.
While there was a sagging for
time, the union has taken on fresh
life and Is unquestionably growing In
strength, numerically and in infiu-
ence.
Here is President Barrett's latest
statement:
To the officers and members Of the
Farmers Union: Selfishness Is the
bane of politics and of every organiza-
ton. the Farmers Union not exclud-
ed. We are gradually scourging 1t
from the Farmers, Union. There
. 4, lnQ1nrS than
before. But the purging must be COM
olete before the order reaches the ef-
fectiveness destined for 1t by the ma
tional needs 1t seeks to supply.
Here Is an illustration: l know poll
ticians high in favor and in office who
could have served the people with
twice the efficiency had they stayed
out of office. The minute a man be-
gins to run for office, his nobler and
broader qualities are likely to sufrer.
He finds himself compromising with
his convictions, when they run coun-
ter 10 his opportunities. He finds his
mouth closed in denouncing abuses
that work to the harm Of the people,
because those who perpetuate them
may be able to injure him. He makes
countless enemies Of powerful and
good individuals that otherwise he
could have kept in line for the public
good, had he not injected the bitter
virus of partisanship.
The man who would serve the farm
er can most often do 1t best by re-
naming out Of politics. You will have
no difficulty recalling men Of powerful
mentality who could have been Of in
estimable service to the public veal,
had they not tied themselves to the
wheel Of politics.
l. 10 fnc n
ship in private life. The leader Of the
farmer, in or out of organization, must
train up to that sort Of craftsmanship,
the first requisite of which is the sub
merging of selfish ambitions for the
general welfare.
You leaders among the farmers,
have you kept this faith? Has your
every effort and energy been directed
toward bettering the condition OF the
farmer or yourself? Would you make
for the farmer the sacrifices you have
made for yourselves? If you have
not, and would not, 1t is unlikely you
will ever be able to give the brand of
service that will be truly effectual and
that will write your name In history.
Are you in the order for glory and
selfish advancement, or to so strength
en- 1t by your devotion and abilities
farming masses of this country? You
would not allow yourself to become
easily discouraged If you were work.
ing for your own aggrandizement or
prosperity. Will you allow yourself
TO become discouraged when you are
working for the aggrandizement and
prosperity Of the farmer?
Here Is this man Of the acres who
has suffered and been neglected these
centuries, and who Is just coming into
his own. Are you able to point out to
him his frailties, and have you the
courage to do It? Have you the brav-
cry to stick to his cause when. In mis-
understanding and temporary pettish-
ness, he smashes you? Are you broad
enough to remain fighting by his side,
when you believe he Is In the wrong,
but know he needs you none the less?
We have solved some big problems
for the farmer in the past six years.
We will need to solve still larger ones
I'm the future. You must strip for the
battle. UnselfiShness must be your
guidon. Hanging on In the face of de-
feat and keeping your head In the
flush of victory must be your pro-
gramme.
l admit the programme is a hard
one. But when you consider the i'm
mensity Of the field you are working
in, and that in this particular vine
yard the "laborers are indeed few"
you will understand more thoroughly
the necessity of the qualities I have
outlined.
CHARLES s. BARRETT.