1
PROGRESSIVE
FARMER
J
THE INDUSTRIAL AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF OUR FEOPLE PARAMOUNT TO ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS OF STATE POLICY.
Vol. 7.
RALEIGH, N. C, MAY 24, 1892.
No. 15
ire
4
t
TsVTlONAL FARMERS' ALLI-
UNION.
. r. T. Polk. North Caro-
UdreT Atlantic Building, F
f vfiPresulent--U. L. Loucks, Huron,
f "v, orv-Treasurer J. H. Turner,
f v .V a? dross, 230 North Capitol
' v'-turer J. H. Willetts, Kansas
5XKCUTTVT5 BOARD.
'V Maeune. Washington, D. C.
' " .v Yardall, Huron, South Da-
fV. Tillman, Palmetto, Tennessee.
JUDICIARY.
.. (1 Mich-gan,
K V7. Beck, Alabama.
M. D. Davie, Kentucky.
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
r A polk, h airman.
V. Macune, Wnshington, D. C.
Mann Page, Brandon. Ya.
L p Foatherstone, Forest City, Ar-
W. F. Grwinn, vvmte, Aennesscu.
)RTI1 CAROLINA TARMERS' STATE ALLI
ANCE.
president Marion Butler, Clinton,
. c
Vice-President T. B. Long, Ashe
'q X. C.
Secretary-Treasurer W. S. Barnes,
Lecturer J. S. Bell, Brasstown, N.C.
Steward C. C. Wright, Glass, N. a
Chaplain Rev. E. Pope, Chalk
,evel, N. C.
D-K.r-Keeper W. U. Tomhnson,
Kayettevue,r.v tt
Assistant uoor-iveepcr xa. r. x.ui,
PQt N C
SeAmt-at-Axms--J. S. Holt, Chalk
vc,l" "V C
$tate Business Agent W. II. Worth,
Mill,,
Trustee Business Agency t und W .
.. Oraham, Machpelah, Is. C.
i seen ye cx)Murrns or tub north
vHOLINA FARMSIiS' STATE ALLIANCE.
j p. Alexander. Charlotte, N. C,
M. Mewborne. Kinstou,
V. C. ; J. S. Johnston, Ruffin, N. C.
TATS ALLIANCB JUDICIARY OOMMITTK3.
n;Q rrr A- Leazer. N. M. Cul-
Lreth, M. G. Gregory, Wm. C. Connell.
Hate alliance legislative committes.
P .T Powell. Raleigh. N. C. : N. C.
English, Trinity College: J. J. Young,
Polenta: II. A. Forney, Newton, N. C.
iorth Carolina Reform Press Association.
o?7Lvn- T T,. Ttomscv. President;
Viarion ISutler, Vice-rresiaeni ; v. a.
Irkirties, Secretary,
topresive Farmer, State Organ, Raleigh, N. C.
Wnrkinc-Tian's Helper. Pinnacle, N. C.
Khnrv. ! . I ;.
Faners, Advocate.
Mountain Home Journal,
Alliance Sentinel,
L!oTintr- Lite,
Mercury,
Trtxro. N. C.
Asbeville, N. C.
Goldsboro, N. C.
Trinity C'cllege. N. C.
UicKory, rs.
.lattler.
Whitalers, N. C.
(Joldsboro. . (J.
Whiteville, N. ..
Moncure, N. C.
I'-olurcL-j:- "Weekly News,
Alliance LcLo,
Each of tha ahove-named ratjers are
W.nve.efeA in hpprt the, list standina Oil
fhe first page and add others, provided
they a re didii elected. Ann vaner fail-
Iv.si to adrnr'ate the Ocala nlatform will
be droppfid from the list promptly. Our
yeciJp. '.n'A. nnu? see what vaners are
huolinhed in their interest,
J ----- --- -- -A
i
CO-OPEPvATIVE CREAMERIES.
Mr. Editor : It is very desirable th it
the farmers, and especially thoze vho
wish to restrict areas in cotton, should
look into wnie of the advantages of co
operative dairying and make an effort
to recuperate t heir losses by this means.
If they will but give this svstem a fair
trial, we are sure they will be pleaded
with the result, as well as find their
farms gaining in fertility with the
change in farming and the larger
amount of manure they will be able to
Bave and use. Much labor is saved
and the resulting products are more
uniform and will briDg mope money
where this system is in u?e than where
each farm manufactures its o wn butter.
Not only this, but more cows can be
kept, insuring greater returns in each
than could be hoped if all the making
and selling were done by the farmer
and his family.
It is well within bounds to aeertthat
nearly every town in North Carolina
having any facilities fttall for shipment
and sale of dairy products could build
and operate a creamery of from 200 to
500 cows capacity, and that such build
ins: and all the arDaratus needed for
ucessful oper ition need not cost over
,$2,000, for the handling of the smaller
:number, or $3,000 for the larger num-
t iuer nr mwR
I There are numerous firms in the
,,Xorth and Northwest whose sole bui
J ness it is to make and furnish creamery
I supplies, and they will undertake to
start and operate them until some one
tails and the enterprise managed by
horr.e talent. All there is to do to start
a creamery or butter or cheese factory
l i is to form an association in which all
Xihe members have an interest. Each
if"- ofee should subtKiribe ft giren amount
... of stock, which may Delimited, and all
should be pledged to furnish milk from
some definite number of cows.
The form of organization may be
similar to that of an alliance, with the
special object named and certain rules
to observed in delivery of milk, pay for
butter, etc.. paid down.
Elect offices, begin paying in your
Bubscriptions and have the officers
open correspondence with some of the
following firms for kinds and prices of
apparatus, while the executive commit
tee proceed to select a site and put up
the creamery building: Mosely &Stod
dary, Rutland, Yt ; D. H. Roe & Co.,
54-60 N Clinton street, Chicago. III. ;
Borden & Selluck Co., Chicago. 111.;
De Laval Separator Co. . 74 Cortlandt
St, N. Y. City; Cornish, Curtis &
Green, F Atkinson. Wis ; p.urriil &
Whitman, Little Falls. N. Y ; Vtrmont
Farm Machine Co , Bellows Falls, Vt. ;
John Boyd, Chicago, III.
By the time your building is ready
you can have found plenty of approved
apparatus, eo that your enterprise can
be started at one of the above amounts
or even less, depending somewhat on
your diligence in finding good apparatus
and living discounts from tr.de cata
losue prices and on the faculty of the
committee for building cheaply and
pubsiantially at the. same time.
Under date of 1879. Prof. L. B Arnold
gives a list of apparatus needed for
cheese making alone for 400 cows which
amounts to $702.30; adding to this for
butter and cheese too from the same
milk, the total apparatus needed could
then be purchased for $957.20 Price
on these are no higher now than then,
and you probably can get better articles
now. Having the apparatus for $1,000
in round numbers and with lumber as
cheap as now, you are more than likely
to erect a substantial building for $1,000
more, and having a capacity touothe
milk of 400 cows at a cost of $2,000.
F. E. Emery,
Agriculturist N. C. Exp't Station.
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.
Something for Alliancemen to Think
About.
Markbvilli, Page Co , Ya.
Mr. Editor: Alliancemen who have
not studied the situation and the prin
ciples and demands of the Order should
give them immediate attention, for
the time is rapidly approaching when
every voting member will be put to
the test, and if they have overlooked
or lost sight of reef nt important events
in the history of the Alliance, or are
ignorant of its aim and objects, they
cannot act intelligently or consistently
when the crisis comes, and if they
wish to avoid an awkward and unen
viable position they must also be care
ful how they consort with Democrat)
and Republicans, for pledges given to
either party now will bring embar
rassment in the future.
On the 7th day of June the demands
of the St. Louia Conference (which art
the Alliance demands) will be presented
to the National Republican Conven
tion at Minneapolis and thereprtenta
tivtsof the National Republican party
will be requested to incorporate them
in and make them a part of their plat
form. One weelMater, June 14th, at
Chicago, the same opportunity will be
given, the same request made of the
representatives of the National Demo
cratic party there assembled in nt
tional convention. If turned away
empty-handed by both conventions, as
the representatives of the Alliance
have been by both Congresses, the last
and only hope is Omaha; then a wide
open door w elcome will await them in
the houe of their friends; then ou the
4th of July will assemble in national
convention the representatives of a po
litical organization having for its pi tt
form the identical demands of the St.
Louis Conference of Feb. 22, 1802, and
there and then, after four iruitless ef
forts to obtain even a promise of relief
from the old political parties, this new
party of the people, bom of the neces
sities of the people and of thes-ituation,
will nominate candidal s for President
and Yice President of the United
States, which will be followed by put
ting up an electoral ticket in every
State and a candidate for Congress in
every district in the Union.
Unless the signs of the times are read
imperfectly the above will be found a
fairly correct forecast of coming events.
When these things come to pass will
Alliancemen stand together as a unit
and with "locked shields" hurl back
the minions of monopoly, or will they
stand in the ranks of the enemy and
take th3 inconsistent and disreputable
position of approving the. principles of
one party and voting for the candi
dares of another? Will they hail it as
the day of their deliverance, or with
gaping mouths, distended eyes and
standing hair, cry out as their coward
ly legs carryT them to the rear, ''This
tning is going too far. my principles
can go to the dogs, but I wnl never de
sert my party." Alliancemen, prepare
for a trial of your faith.
Alliancemen who formerly affiliated
with the Republican party, and natur
ally cherish a friendly feeling for it,
may fear that their support of the
People's party candidates might result
in the election of a Democratic Preni
dent by throwing the election into
Congrees, the Democrats being largely
in the majority; but suppose the Re
publicans had a majority of Congress,
then Democratic Alliancemen could
raise a similar objection. So that if
the people wait for the removal of this
difficulty they will wait forever, as
one party or the other will always
have a majority of Congress. There
must be a beginning, and there never
will be a better time for it than this
year of grace 1892. If defeated, like
truth, you will "rise again." Keep up
the fight and prepare for 1896 by elect
ing a tnajority of Conqreamen in 1894,
A. K. Gkim.
The Progressive Farmer
from now until Nov. 15th
for 40 CentS. M&kenp yourClub.
LETTER FROM WILSON COUNTY.
The State of Affairs in the Country That
God Made.
Mr. Editor : If you can see fit to let
me into our columns, I shall be pleased
to take part with the many who are
contributing such rich thoughts and
noble sentiments, not that I can
throw anyT new light upon the theme
so much discussed, but because I feel
an interest in the subject and that I,
ns a citizen and a constituent of this
Republic, wish to make myself felt in
some way for the good of my fellow
tnen. I can remain silent no longer.
The sad and deplorable condition of our
government to day demands our most
serious and earnest consideration. My
eyes, I believe, have been opened to
the startling realization of the existing
enormity of our financial condition. It
is plain that it is being ruled by dos
pots.
For the last few months I have been
unceasing in my eagerness of effort to
discover, if possible, the true condition
of our country, and more anxious still
was I to comprehend and locate the
prominent causes which led to the
much talked-of evils.
Having in my possession a few of
the records and documents containing
some of the most important itsues of
our political leaders, and other matter
containing such facts as are well cal
culated to bring into a reasoning mind
the foreseen relations evidently exist
ing between such issues and certain
classes, viz: capitalists and monopo
lists, I have become thoroughly though
sadly convinced that the grievance of
which our people so seriously complain
are far from being in any wise vision
ary, but, on the other hand, these
grievances are of a much more serious
nature than most cf us have imag
ined. Our government is evidently a cor
rupt one, ali things working together
for good to them that control the
money, but from them that hath not
tbe money will be taken away even
that which they may happen to have.
Thougli the text is Scriptural and verv
applicable in its place, I tell you it will
not do for the "money lords" to appro
priate. They appropriate it to thfir
own justification and happiness and to
the deprivation and destruction of
others. Hence it has been by and
through the influence" of the mighty
"mony devils" and their coadjutors
that our Republic has been degener
ated into its present perilous condi
tion. And, dear readers and fellow
t rave: le rs to the land of servisude and
poverty, it is high time for us to begin
to think for ourselves, and nut only to
tbiuk for ourselves but to act for our
wlvs. and that quickly, for the crisis
is at hand. We can wait no longer
and save ourselves. So now let us not
a'and idle aud say within ourselves,
"there is nothing I can do." We must
opt-n our ey es and behold the approach
ing enemy. We must fix our bayonets
at the word of command and when
ever t ho order to "charge !" is given,
let us charge with an irresistible col
umn that is utterly incapable of being
broken.
Leo every Sub-All anco in North
Carolina and the United States adopt
the platform of demands formulated
and adopted by the St. Louis Confer
ence of labor organizations which met
at St Louis, Feb. 22, If-92, and when
they shad have adopted it let each
member stand by it, and with the love
of his country in his heart, defend its
ju-t and wise principles in the very
faces of its enemies. Let us go hand in
hand, "conquering and to conquer,"
proclaiming the " glad tidings of great
joy and good will toward all man
kind." I trust this may find room in ? our
columns and may it redound to the
good o?: some poor, blind way fairer.
I am not, as you will see, a sub
scriber toy our paper, but have been
reading it for sometime. I am an Alli
anceman from head to foot and shall
do all in my power to defend and pro
mote its cause. Wiley H. Lamm.
THE SINGLE TAX THEORY.
234 Pearl St., N. Y
Mr. Editor: The question of the
day is the question of taxation; and
when so great progress his been made
during the past few years in its scien
tific study, it i-i almost melancholy to
observe the standard according to
which prizes were awarded in the re
cenn competition of essays instituted
by Pid'lic Opinion; the essay receiving
the third prize being by far the best
and that given first place incomp xrably
the poorest of those published. The
blame does not lie at the door of the
editor, of course, but with the commit
tee who decided the matter, and who
must surely have been selected with
the purpose of eliminating bias of opin
ion as t the conflicting schools; a con
dition whi -h unfortunately involves
want of special knowledge, since the
problem has pas-ed out; of the academic
stne;e into that of vital issu-s.
Yet even presuming such precaution,
the bias is plainly reflected in the choi e
made of essays which throw little light
on the subject, practically leaving it in
tbe state of confused thought that pre
vailed & generation ago! The first
prize winner, in fact, might be de
scribed as a bag of chestnuts, with a
mare's nest at the bottom; for after a
portentous- recital of data familiar, to
every one, it winds up by proposing
as a reform substantially the sytem
of taxation which now exists. The
second ode does a little better, since it
shows an inkling of bac principle,
but it has .h? ee strangely confuted and
presents no consistent theory of taxa
tion. The third is the only one 3f the
three which ia at all abreast of the
current discussion, though even this
loses strength because of the defect
which doubtless helped it to pass the
committee, in that it falls short of ex
pressing the authors known belief in
the single tax on land values, a theory
of taxation which hardly receives
notice in any part of what was designed
as an advanced svmposium of the sub
ject It may have been that no essay was
submitted of sufficient merit which
even explained the principles of this
newts; and most rapidly growing
school; but surely none should have
be n deemed worthy7 cf a prize which
lacked in this subject, at a time when
a declaration in favor of the single tax
has been widely circulated over the
signatures of a large number of Con
gressmen, mayors, clergymen, bankers,
State legislators, judges, prominent
rai way officials, manufacturers, law
yer and merchants ; when a notable
fetition of 105,000 signatures has been
aid before Ojngress asking for an in
vestigation into its merits ; when the
quM-sion of introducing it for local
purposes in the District of Columbia
is under serious consideration by the
district committee; when the current
tariff discussion in Congress has run
almost wholly on the lines which lead
up to the single tax turning upon the
question of the incidence ot taxation
on industry, rather than on the old
fashioned dispute of how its draft on
individual resources should be made.
In he face of all these developments,
surely no easay should have been con
sidered a model one which entirely
ignored so prominent a phase of the
subject.
The declaration alluded to above, the
readers of this paper may remember,
laid stress on the point wherein a tax
on the rental value of land, on what
may be called its potential productive
capacity, differs from all other taxes,
in that it does not inflict any burden
upon industrial effort, that it does not
increase the cost of living, nor dimin
ish th amount of wealth produced, as
dos every tax ou consumption, and as
even an income tx does in some mea
sure. Its levyr is only upon such measure
of special opportunity for the gaining
of wealth (due to the natural advan
tares ac -ruing to the use of particular
parcels of land that are created by
nature and made available only by
presence of large population?) as is en
joyed by some men to the exclusion of
others. It takes nothing out of the
products of labor that is not inevitablv
yielaed by labor for th use of land,
and which the single tax would taka
for :rnr-nt in place cf remitting it
to individuals to collect as toll upon
labor which they have not exerted. Its
"collection, therefore, in no way retards
the activity of trade or adds to the cost
cf goods; but on the contrary, tends to
stimulate industry by making it un
profitable to withhold land from use.
Its extension from the partial employ
ment which it is now given, to the sub
stitution of it in place for all other
taxes, is at worst a matter to be con
sidered; and no treatise on taxation
can now be an adequate one which
does not take account of it.
Edw. I. Siiriver.
WILLING TO ADMIT THE LADIES.
Currituck, Cu-rituck Co., N. C.
Mr. Editor: Crawford Alliance, No.
1,253, appointed me to write and, in a
friendly manner towards "Farmer's
Wife,'' state her true position. I am
sorry that it ever reached "Farmer's
Wile's"' ears that this Alliance would
not receive female me mbers. By some
means it got abroad that we would not
vote to receive lady members, and the
question was raised in the Alliance. A
motion was put before the body that
each member be a committee to tell
the ladies that we did not object, and
that their petitions would be received
and considered as if they came from
men. I am real sorry that " Farmer's
Wife" had not known this before she
wrote the article which appeared in
the columns of your paper. Crawford
Alliance stands retdyr to-day and was
ready when "Farmer's Wife" wrote
the letter, to receive lady members.
At the same time Crawford Alliance
cannot blame "Farmer's Wife" for
writing up what she heard about said
Alliance. This article is not intended
to condemn "Farmer's Wife," but to
put Crawford Alliance in its true light.
"Farmer's Wife" said another thing
which reflected on the County Alii
ance, and that was when site said, and
she told the whole truth, that our State
and District Lecturer and Bro. Otho
Wilson had to walk from Snowden to
the courthouse, a distance of about six
miles 1 must confess that I feel mean
about that myself, and know that sure
ly some misunderttanding was at the
bottom of it, but Bro. Wilson explained
to me how it was that the County Sec
retary, Bro. J. J. Ferebee, had written
them to get off at Shawboro and that
iD was not any fault of his that they
went on to Snowden.
I hope "Farmer's Wife " will see this,
send in her petition to Crawford Alli
ance and help us fight for " Sallie and
the babies."
Hoping Thb Progressive Farmer
will continue to prosper and the Farm
ers' Alliance continue to grow in
knowledge and members I close bv
saying that Crawford Alliance is still
in the ranks. Fraternally,
G. W. Williams.
The Progressive Farmer
from now until Nov. 15th
for 40 cents.
Make up your Club-
ESSAY READ BEFORE BETHEL
ALLIANCE, NO. 703
It has been said by one of our great
est statesmen, " Show me the law? of
a country and I will show you the con
dition of its people." So wo are led
to the conclusion that the laws of our
country are not in accordance with
justice and equity, for there is nothing
m the condition of the masses that de
notes prosperity, but rather a tendency
to poverty and demoralization. No
period of our history has been marked
with such general depression and dis
satisfaction. Wherever we turn is dis
content. Liber idle or working for a
very low price, tramps filling our high
ways and starvation Htaring in the face
of desolate homes. These forerunners
of revolution spring up on every hand
On the other side we see mountains of
wealth heap up the products of half
requited labor. All over the land the
wad of distress coraesjup from poverty
stricken homes, crushing out the man
hood nd womanhood of human kind,
blighting the beauty of youth and de
stroying the faith in a living God in a
land of plenty, where the willing hand
of industry has created abundant
wealth. Why should that hand be
paralyzed for the want of the very
wealth it has produced? Why should
comfortable homes and food and rai
ment be denied to those who have pro
duced these things? These are ques
tions that must soon be answered be
fore the tribunal of a long suffering
but much-enduring people. In view
of the fact and the responsibility that
rests upon us as American citizens, I
earnestly ask shall we lay aside our
prejudices and consider a few of the
circumstances that have brought about
th is trouble ? Most of us can remember
when there was but very few million
aires; but that time has pa8d and
now we have more millionaires and
more tramps than any nation on the
glebe. There is no doubt but that the
unequal distribution of the products of
labor is the great cause of all this social
and political trouble.
After the close of the war we labor
ing people were a prosperous people.
We saw within our reach a home of
plenty for ourselves and families and
for old age. The bright future before
us inspired industry, economy and so
briety ; but to day "what is the outlook
for us t We see only oefore us labor
and toil, debts and oppression; hope
dies out in our bosoms, despondency
takes possession of our hearts.
Now I will proceed to give my opin
ion about how to get out of this trouble.
It is evident that the country has got
to have some reform from these
troubles, and that at ence
n
is to take the Ocala and St. Louis plat
forms and stand on them until the last
river is crossed. As you all know, I
have not been a member of this Order
very long, but I have endorsed its prin
ciples for ma y y ears. I thank God I
n -
have never belonged to either one of
the two old parties ; I never believed
we would grt any relief from them, nor
do I believe it now without a change.
I have voted for friends on both sides
and have received appointment from
both parties. I have belonged to the
prohibition party believed it to be
rie;ht, and I believe it to be right now.
I have s?.s much interest in it to-day- as
I ever did, and I long to see the time
when the suffering women and little
children shall be delivered from the
curse of drunkennees and from a
drunkard's home and a drunkard's
hell. But that don't meet the case just
now ; while there are a great many dear
women and children suffering from the
curse of whiskey, we are all suffering
from the curse of robbers endorsed by
this system of government that has
been forced upon us by our law makers.
I want to be understood that I belong
to the party that end irses our demands,
and if the Democratic party should see
proper to come back to these Jackson
and Jefferson Democratic principles
and take sides with the people instead
of the money devil, and endorse our
platform square out, I d n't want any
dallying around the corner, but come
stt aight out. Then I will be a Demo
crat, but if they refuse to do so, then I
am for the party that will adopt our
platform, call it what you please, first,
twenty-third or fifteenth party. I
don t care what you name the baby, he
is a good healthy fellow, and I think he
will live a long time.
To my mind the record of the Ameri
can Congress from 1862 until the pres
ent time is a record of the blackest and
most heartless crime. By contracting
the finances of the country they have
been able to form trusts and syndicates
which has reduced the people to a wage
slavery more heartless than any slavery
has ever been in America. The people
having slept until this machinery was
perfected, have awakened from their
dreams to find their liberties fettered
and themselves in thehand3 of monop
olies, who have crushed out not only
their liberty, but the life itself; and
when we remember that the represen
tatives of these monopolies set in our
Congress hall and practically control
the U. S. Senate who does not tremble
for the want of safety of our Republic.
The result of this legislation has Uready
been felt, and fears may justly be en
tertained that we have gone too far to
have our liberties retrieved. The peo
ple are aroused, but th money devil is
on the lookout. They arm themselves
and have asked an appropriation to
establish a military force Let us not
be deceived ; this cry for military force
is not to defend ourselves from a foreign
foe ; the enemy is here among us; they
tell us the wealth of the country must
be protected It is not labor they want
to protect, it is not the oppressed they
want to protect, it is not the toiling
millions tney want to protect, but the
wealth of Wall street demands protec
tion. But what is the wealth that can
not be protected by a military force?
It U the wealth that has been robbed
from the people, it is the. wealth that
has been taken from the masses for the
benefit of the few, it is not the fair that
the masses will violate the law. but
that they will repeal the law and give
unto the people the wealth tha, justly
belongs to them.
Where these robbers would stop, it
is hard to tell, but the day is breaking
and God in his mercy is raising up a
band of men such as L. L Polk. Ma
cune. Watson, Butler, Murdcck, Peele
and hundreds cf others to stay the
dark waters that are overwhelming the
people. For sometime this bond has
been working in the interest of the pco
pie, and Grdhas blessed their efforts
and added to their number until their
voices are heard all over this land and
hope is springing up in the hearts 01
the people. To my mind there is no
worse enemy to the wealth producers
of the land than Harrison, Cleveland,
Sherman, Hill and a majority of the
members of Congress who have worked
so hard for the destruction of silver.
With gold as a basis and the banks to
issue the p iper currency, the people
would be entirely at the hands of Shy
locks. Now the people have the remedy,
they must take the case in their hands
and study these banking and financial
systems. It is not a question of Degro
slavery alone, it is a question of both
black and white alike, and their chil
dren. It has been truly said that men
and women will do more work for less
money under bondage of debt than
they will under the lash, and will do
it with less trouble to their masters;
so the hash ha: been abolished and a
better and cheaper plan has been estab
lished. Now a new state of things has
come about and a new plan l as been
endorsed.
With a membership consisting cf the
labouig masses and wealth producers,
determined to understand and main
tain their rights, the people must stick
together and elect their friends to office.
They must send their friends to Con
gress and be sure they are our friends
before they send them. This year is
one time we must do our ow i voting,
and be sure we vote right. We must
be like a negro told his sweetheart
" If you are going to have me say so,
and if you are not say so, for the gals
likes me mighty well over the creek."
So if we are in favor of reform, ray so,
and stick to it and yote for it, regard
less cf what other people say ; if we are
not, sy so. Let us see where we srand :
if we are a friend to the people they
will take U3 by the hand and will say
v. well done thou good and faithful ser
vants, thou hast been faithful at last;'r
but if we are not in favor of and don't
vote for reform, and don't stand solid
as the rock of ages, they will say, "get
ye behind me, satan," for it is brethren,
though shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God. Now, brethren, let us run this
race ; there is no praise to him who does
not run but to him that runs and holds
out faithful to the end I have been told
that a wild goose, when she is going to
take a long journey, perishes herself
to make her light. Now I think we
hayseed ers have been starving long
enough to be all right, so let us start as
once and on next November w e will
land at a heaven of rest.
M. G. Bryan.
LETTER FROM ALEXANDER.
Dealsville, N. C.
Mr. Editor: As nothing has ap
peared from this neighborhood in The
Progressive Farmer, I think it is not
out of place to say a word about a pub
lic speaking. The members ot the
Farmers' Alliance, with a compara
tively large crowd of believers and
antis, assembled promptly at 1 1 o'clock,
Thursday, April 28th, to listen to one
of Bro. 0. C. Wright's lectures on the
financial grievances of the people.
Bro. Wright and W. W. Tcaguev
Lecturers of the Eighth d strict, were
there. Bro. Wright spoke one and a -half
hours and all listened with special
attentiveness and the silence was
broken only with occasional cheers.
Ho began by briefly telling how the
Alliance had originated from only a
few determined patriots, by giving its
progress, and his specific reasons why
its principles were stamped indelibly
on the minds and hearts of the masses.
There were ex-Confederates present
whose faces beamed with gladness
when Bro. Wright said : "That party
prejudices were almost laid aside and
thac the people were reading for them
selves instead of letting the bosses use
them as tools to carry out their
schemes. He proved clearly that a
taste of Jeffersonian Democracy or
Lincoln Republicanism was a thing of
the past unless t"he farmer asserts his
rights anl maintains them next No
vember. Some of our citizens had been
so busy trying to make ends meet that
they hadn't learned about the defeat of
the Bland bill and its advocates by its
would-be advocates.
The speaking was closed with some
moral counsel that should ever be re
membered by all who heard it, and
some very interesting remarks by
Bros. W. W. Teague and Senator
White.
The St. Louis platform was unani
mously adopted by a rising vote. All
would like to have Bro. Wright with
us at every meeting.
Fraternally yours,
R. L. Singman, Sec'y.
The Progressive Farmer
from now until Nov. 15th
for 40 cents. Make op your Cluba.
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