The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-07
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Annual Address of President c. S.
Barrett Of the National Farmers
Union Convention, Chattanooga.
tennessee, September B, 1912.

With the Farmers Union greater
in numbers. finer in discipline, more
business-iike in politics, and in its
determination to demand and enforce
the rights of the American farmer
than since its founding, it is my pleas
ure to greet you at this eighth annu-
al convention of the organization.
My qualification is intensified, in that
L am enabled to report that the past
year has witnessed the most remark
able growth in resources and in in
| telligent management of any agricul-
tural organization in all history. The
status Of your treasury attests expan-
sion from the standpoint Of numbers.
But the hourishing condition of enter
prises conducted by Farmers Union
people. and the greater degree of in
telligence with which We now regard
all problems facing the farming pop
ulation OF this country, is by far the
most significant indication of the rec
ord Of the twelve months we now
bring to close.
We have confounded the critic and
sealed the mouth Of the skeptic.
When first the Farmers Union was
organized in Texas, and from there
spread gradually until it covered al
most every State in the nation. the
prediction was freely made that our
growth was of a mushroom nature
The American really friendly with us
pointed out that other agricultural
associations had been launched and
enjoyed a feverish existence only to
pine and die before outside attacks
and inside jealousies. They were
fearful the Farmers Union would du-
plicate that course. The element that
did not want us to succeed-and a
few Of that sort still abide-openly
ridicuied the attempt to weld the far
mers OF the republic into a cohesive
organization and confidently looked
forward to the early date when ship
wreck would overtake us.
Against all obstacles, not the least
of which came from some Of our own
errors. we have dispelled the doleful
prophecies of those who meant us
we'll and disappointed the sinister en-
pectations of those who would like
TO have seen us fail in our purpose.
The task has not been an easy one.
Plenty of dragons stood in the path
way. We have had to combat indif-
Ierenoe and jealour'os among our
own member and open hostility
from the outs.ce. In thr face OF cyols
u1verse situation, despite the back
s.iders the back bite. the jobs and
the Jeremiahs, the uenioso.U.- and
!dealists. We have gone steadily for
ward. The organization stands today
with solid front arrayed before the
country. Its rank and file are learn
ing better how to distinguish as be-
tween friend and foe. how to winnow
aside the temptation to let talk take
the place of action. We are yet to
conquer many of our Weaknesses
There are many questions we muse
yet settle between ourselves, and be-
fore the country-at-large. But
challenge successful contradiction,
when i say that because Of our plod-
sling progress and persistence, the
American farmer is today in a more
advantageous position to fight and to
gain his own than at any time since
government was organized in this
country.
An issue that it seems especially
my duty to impress upon you. and
Cor YOU to impress upon the hun
dreds Of thousands of farmers you
represent. is that the age in which
we live is essentially one of readjust-
ment and progress.
Whether one studies affairs in this
country in China, or any portion Of
the globe. his decision will be the
same-that everywhere people are
moving forward toward equalizing the
conditions of living. The trend, from
whatever angle YOU view it, is for
the average man To ask and obtain
greater share of his own govern
ment. Special interest. whether that
upon which the mandarin in China
trust in America has waXed fat, APP
pears doomed The old doctrine of
equal right to air is today nearer
actual fulhllment than at any period
since two or three men developed the
courage To look tyranny i'm the face