The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1918-12-19
As to Farmers Union

As to Farmers Union
To the Editor:-I see in your is
sue of December 13 report OF the
Farmers Union convention, held in
Wilson, December II and IL, head
ed in large. type "Palitics Swamps
the Farmers Union, Butler Repub-
licans in force Backing Alexander
Machine, ETC."
The whole report is very mis-
leading, and the greater part un-
true. must say that am surprls-
ed that the News and Observer
which claims to have the largest cir
culation of any daily paper in the
State, and very prominent paper,
should give as much prominence as
you have to such scurilous article
about the farmers organization
which has by far the largest mem
bership in our state, or any other
farmers organization, at the time so
much depends on the organized ef-
fort of the farmers. Every unbiased
thinking person, | don't care what
his politics may be, knows the in
tention of the article was to discred-
it the Farmers Union, as farmers
organization, and prejudice if possi-
BILE, the membership and farmers
who are not members, by partisan
appeal, the very thing that has been
and is now holding back progress
along all lines of endeavor towards
cooperation, which is so essential
for the common good of our own
country and all Of the world at the
present time.
The News and Observer as lead
ing paper and with the largest cir
culation of any daily in the tate, as
you claim, will be copied no doubt
by every partisan daily and weekly
in the State. I have already seen
the me to- in the Wilson Times.
Thus before the new officers can get
| organized and start the work, they
are attacked by the press, which
confirms what DR.. Alexander said
about the press, that it is controlled
by special interests who are very
much opposed to farmers organi-
zation.
The Farmers Union guarantees
perfect political and religious liber-
ty, and no good union man ques-
tions another's politics or religion
to hold office in the union, and just
why the partisan political papers
are so interested and fearful about
the politics of the members Of the
Farmers Union and who they elect
as officers, can not understand, un-
less the editors are fearful that the
union will educate the farmers to
some things that would cause them
/ to take action to protect themselves
from the advantage that is being
taken of them by the fellows whom
you seem to especially represent.
No, fir. Editor, the union is not
heading for the rocks; we are going
to travel in the middle of the road
on our broad platform of even-hand
ed justice to all people. The farm
ers are not asking for charity or es.
pecial privilege, but we are entitled
to justice, and We are going to or
ganize and cooperate to get it
knowing that is the only way.
Ye editors may shout Alexander
: machine and Butler Republicans
bpt the farmers are going to elect
whom they please for officials Of
their organizations and are not go
ing to be dictated to by the big gur
editors of the large dailies nor the
. popgun "me to" editors who copy
from you and yours. And il we hav,
any disgruntaled members whit
think more of their partisan politics
than they do of the great principles
, and work Of the Farmers Union, le
: him bump his head against the rock
of the proflt-takers until he learn