Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-10

IN THIS GREAT ERA OF READ
JUsTMENT THAT HAS ALREADY
BEEN SOME YEARS IN PROGRESS
THE FARMER CANNOT AFFORD TO
lBE AN EXCEPTION FROM THE
STANDPOINT OF ORGANIZATION +
GETTING ONES RIGHTS.
We may think that the country al
large congress, whether Democratic or
Republican, and the president, regard
less OF the parties or the influences that
put him in the White House, will not
overlook the worldwide tendency to-
ward equalization and that, therefore
the rights OF the farmer will be secure.
That sort OF thinking is putting ones
trust in Providence; but 1T is not Keep
ing powder dry.
A certain amount OF confidence in the
other fellow is indispensable to pros
perity and development for, after all, we
are in the same boat
But IL. as conditions in this country,
whether as regards the tariff or the
cost OF living, gradually readJust them
selves and the farmer does not get ex-
actly what Is his due-it Will be the
faul Of the farmer.
The boy who knows he is entitled to a
lcertain sized slice of pie when the pie
lis being cut, is foolish TO stay away
from the cutting process. He must be
right there when the knife gets busy,
and he must have ready a vigorous pro-
test IL the knife. deliberately or acci-
ldentally. slips in the direction Of cutting
down his portion.
The only manner in which the farmer
can get his share Of pie in this country
lis through organization, not Mandy
panby organization. but intelligent, ag-
gressive organization.
WE'RE IN EARNEST.
with every class organizing and plan
ming to enforce the demands for what
Ii regards as its rights, II is Incumbent
upon the farmer TO pursue the same
course. We need not expect the nation
to voluntarily accord US all that is our
due. unless we indicate by actions rather
than words that we are in deadly earn
est. And when the country does find
out that we are determined to exact
what are our rights-no less, no more
1T will very quickly accord those rights.
Take politics as you take business.
cooliy, without prejudice. ready always
to ignore the politician who has betray-
ed in the past and to put in his place
the candidate whose words have not
been merely empty promises.
NO USE FOR PESSIMISM.
need not tell the men assembled here
before me, that there is little use for
widespread pessimism. or broadside de-
nunciation. In the past too many Of our
members have been, given to viewing
with alarm" or TO following the fellow
who makes the largest noise.
We are getting out of that habit rapid
", and you men before me, who are lead
Il ers in your separate communities, can
be of material aid I'm greater progress
in the right direction by discouraging al
legiance to the leather-lunged stump
speaker who promises everything, but
who may redeem nothing.
In politics. as in the organization, a
good plan is to watch the leaders who
have really kept us thriving, 10 see how
they size up men bringing promises and
to do some sizing up on our own account.
Thank heaven, each year we are learning
lessons In distressing the oily-tongued
rascal who plays upon our preJudices for
his own advantages and then promptly
relegates US 10 a back seat in his mem
DRY. But we must take more lessons
still in the art of separating the de-
ceiver from the honest advocate OF our
rights. That is best for our own pro-
lection, as well as that Of the country.
WORKING OWN SALVATION.
Another error we need to guard against
| is the delusion that anyone save our
selves can work out our own salvation.
A lot Of quack remedies have been
proposed to cure the Ills from which
the farmer suffers, and lot OF quaclSs.
political and otherwise. haves prescribed
them.
But the very minute you let yourself
be guIled into believing that any patent
medicine prescription can bring the re-
| forms that are needed, and that you
! will be spared any OF the burden OF
helping TO I'LL the prescription, that very
minute you viii be entering upon a
course that will impede your own well
fare as well as that Of the organiza-
ton.
You wouldn't expect to sit down in
front OF ten-acre field, have a glib talk
er say a few words and make a few
passes and then see the. crop rolling into
the ginhouse and the bin of it's own ac-
cord.
You'd know you would have to get out
and work like a horse, under the blazing
sun and In the driving rain and some-
times In sieet and snow, to get the desir-
ed results
And identically the same principle APP
plies 10 making the nation sit up and
take notice Of the things the farmer
needs and means TO have; Of educating
your children; of getting a greater de-
gree OF cooperation In your local and
more efficiency from your county. your
state and your national officers.
HELPING THE OTHER FELLOW.
A thing to be remembered in the pro-
gram that brcadens as the Farmers un-
ion broadens, is that the duty is upon
Us to help others as we'll as to help
| ourselves
You may think that that poor, onery
cuss on the farm next TO yours doesn't
amount to anything and that you can
safely let slide the question of aiding
him in reviving ambition and in edu-
eating his children. You may fool your
selves into believing that you can hoe
your own row, improve your own farm.
pay your owr dues. educate your own
children. and let II go at that.
But there Is no guarantee that some
day the son Of that fellow you think
so far below you may not be holding a
mortgage on your home; may not be
couT ting youl daughter; or his own
daughter falling in love with your son.
lF.I~ Hill D..snInI