The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-18
ORGANIZATION THE FARMERS
GREATEST WEAPON.
President Barrett Urges That Organ
izatlon Is the Surcst Method for I'M
proving the Farmers Condition, and
Shows Some Reasons Why 1t Is
Difficult To- Organize the American
Farmer.

Farmers Union
Organization Is today the greatest
weapon and the most achieving tool
at the disposal of the American far
mer.
l have stressed. in previous appeals,
the almost magical value of organi-
zation, as shown In great and small
business. State and federal govern
ment, accomplishment generally the
world over.
But one could write volumes and
yet leave many features Of the SUBJ
ject unhandled.
1 am. moreover. extremely anxious
that every American farmer not
member of the Farmers Union iden-
tify himself for this organization; for
his own sake. first. and, necessarily,
for the good Of the organization.
There is not one American State in
which the Farmers Union is we'll or
ganized. but the lot of the farmers Of
that State generally has been i'm
proved.
Why?
For the simple reason that instead
of working singly, or in pairs, for the
local, the county or the State i'm
provements and reforms they needed
they have worked as q unit.
That is the secret of organization
and its wonderful efficiency every
where.
For instance: If it were to the in
terest of the farmers of a certain
State TO secure a larger educational
appropriation that there might DC
more little red school houses" what
would be the plan under the old sys-
tenn.
A farmer or two would write his
representative in the State legislature,
the latter would laughingly read the
letter and there the matter would
rest. SO
1t would continue to rest for months
and years, until gradually the feeble,
scattered voices got together and
made such an impression upon the
law-making body that action was
Forthcoming.
Had organization existed the result
would have been fastened by as many
as there was numerical power and
wise leadership to the organization.
That Is what organization does
hastens results. reduces scattered
public sentiment TO a focus, ana
makes II beat hard, loud and perss-
tently upon the ear-drums of sleepy
legislature.
We have proved II in so many
States, that cannot undertake to
enumerate them.
Politics is just one feature.
IL organization is effectual in that
field. II Is no less effectual in creating
conditions that will lessen the farm
ers' debt, make his living conditions
more pleasant. give him good roads,
put him into more friendly relations
with his neighbors. and. finally, solve
what the wise men call the rural
problem"
Organization is the weapon Of the
many put into the hands of few
responsible, able and devoted men.
That is why l am preaching it's
value.
But organization can be most ef-
fective if you insist that your leaders
be chosen for fitness and for ability
II suffer and sacrifice rather than for
jollying and Misunderstanding ability.
So 1t will be an excellent plan for
you to spend much of your time this
year In looking for men who answer
this qualification, then giving them a
square deal. If they fail, and you still
believe them honest and capable, give
them another trial. it doesn't mat
ter IL they turn out dishonest or graft.
ers. Drop that special kind, and so
at 1t again with another set.
The American farmer is the hard
est fellow i'm Christendom to organize
because of his independence. He
carps about his rights" Even when
surrendering few of them for n
while to better his condition he is
often stubborn as n Missouri mule.
Organization has gone forward