Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1911-09-14
FARMERS NEED
STRONG LEADERS
PRESIDENT cHAs. s. 1ARRETT's
ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE
FARMERS UNION.
COOP GRAFTON is NECESSARY
Greatest Need Of American Farmer
Today Is Effective
Leadership.
COOP GRAFTON is NECESSARY

Shawnee, Okla.-In a stirring ad-
dress delivered before the annual con-
vention of the Farmers union, Presi-
dent Charles s. Barrett stressed the
necessity of competent leaders for the
success of the movement. The ad-
dress follows in part:
During the past year, and especial
ly during the past summer, have
visited personally all the important
state organizations and all the state
conventions. And / come to you with
the message that the Farmers union
Is stronger, better drilled in discip-
line, in finer financial condition and
more inspired with stern enthusiasm
of sacrifice, of brotherly love and of
cooperation than since that never-to-
be forgotten day when Newt Gresham
launched it's rst great principles. The
states that were previously Indifferent
or laggard are going forward by great
strides. State treasures that once sqf-
Ter cd a.sva1 -fu1Iun nrss ga
upon solid basis. Everywhere -
North, South, East and West - the
farmer is waking to the opportunity
and the duty of affliating with his
brethren, and is learning the true
meaning of the creed to which he
subscribes when he takes the obllga-
ton of membership.
1--WE have accomplished all thus far
that the reasonable man could expect
and much more than our secret enc
mics and the pessimists hoped. We
stand upon a record that no similar
organization has remotely approached
And / bring to you the further import
ant message that America is SO wax
ened to the significance of our move
ment that limitless financial assist
ance will be tour disposal the mo
ment we bring this organization te
the high state of perfection it is now
rapidly approaching. The day may
come this year, or next year, when the
member of this order will find him
/ self backed by such large capital an6
so many resources as to remove his
last wavering doubt as to the coun
trys appreciation of the role OF the
producer, so long neglected.
"The greatest need of the Ameri
can farmer today, whether within Of
without this organization, is effectua
leadership. I know that for the SO
called rural problem there are ;
| thousand and one remedies and solu
tions suggested, some of them good
| oh nj
cious in intent and principle. None o
them touch the core of the situation
We need not remedies but leaders
Give us proper leader in every stat'
1 and we shall soon find the remedies
and apply them.
CAS- a matter of common justice,
want to pay tribute to the nationa
officers who have aided me in you
cause the past year. If 1 have faile'
to discharge my duty or to live up t.
your rights in any particular, it is no
their fault. Side by side, hand II
hand, they have worked with me, giy
ing their time and brain and strengtl
with free-heartedness that will re
main with me as a lasting inspire
ton. They have given me all tn
scope l needed, and they have eve
been ready to act boldly, in the caus
of the organization.
"We of us who have fought tn
good fight, and who, as God gave u
light, have kept the faith, are n
solved that the cause shall not fai
We know that the Farmers union
the last call for the American farm
er; that if it disappoints him, hal
century, perhaps a century, will elaps
before another farmers organizatio
can get on it's feet in this countr,
That is why we have pledged our yer
lives to the man of the acres. That
why, knowing that the man who fall
the Farmers union fails himself, W
rejoice over the suggles already VOL
and with the Almighty himself smi
ing on our efforts, greet with absolut
confidence the struggles lying as $
many challenges in our pathway.