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Official Organ Ben Hill County,
Address of Pres, C, S, Barrett
of the Farmer's Union, .
At the Annual Convention
Shawnee, Okla., September 5, 1911.
(Special to The Fitzgerald Leader.)
Brethern of The Farmer’s Unions
At the Annual Convention of the Farmer , s Union, Shawnee,
Okla., Sept. 5th, 1911. Brethern of the Farmers Union.
At a day when the banner’s Educational and Cooperative Union
powerful than at any time in its existance, it gives me
pride to greet its representatives in annual convention
Tumbled. You are the authorized spokesman for the most important
farmers’ organization in all history. You gather at a time when we
can view battles won, and battles yet to be won, in a degree that is
new in the annals of the producers of any cation. I am sure you
share with me a mighty thrill as we look backward upon the long
and hard road we have traveled and the obstacles we have overcome;
and that, with me, you feel no less a call to action when we consider
the problems yet unsolved by the American farmer.
During the p^st year, and especially during the past summer I
have visited personally all the important state organizations and all
the state conventions. And I come to you with the message that the
Farmers’ Union is stronger, better drilled in discipline, in finer finan¬
cial condition and more inspired with the stern enthusiasm of sacri¬
fice, of brotherly love and of cooperation than since that never-to be-
forgotten day when Npwl Gresham launched its first great principles.
States that were previously indifferent or laggard, are going forward
by great strides. State treasuries that once suffered lack of funds,
are being placed upon a solid basis, Everywhere—north, south, east
and west—the farmer is waking to the opportunity and the duty of
affiliating with his brethren, and is learning the true meaning of the
creed to which he subscribes when he takes the obligation of mem-
bership.
We have accomplished all, thus far, that the reasonable man
could expect, and much more than our secret enemies and the pessi-
mists hoped. We stand upon a record that no similar organization
has remotely approached. And I bring to you the further important
message that America is so wakened to the significance of our move-
ment that limitless financial assistance will beat our disposal,
moment we bring this organizati n to the high state of perfection
it is now rapidly approaching. The day may come when this order will
find himself backed by such large capital and so many resources as to
remove his last wavering doubt as to the country's appreciation of tne
role of the producer, so long neglected.
As an instance of the national attitude toward our cause, it is
pleasure to report that more than 3200 papers print regularly the
statements issued from national headquarters. Each mail brings le-
quest from more publications to be placed upon our mailing list. And
I am in receipt of inquiries regarding our work and its progress from
practically every country in civilization, I tell you this, that you
may realize the monentum this movement has attained, and the grave
responsibility resting upon all of us to see that in no wise do we be¬
tray or disappoint the trust the nation and the world begin to repose
in our mission.
The greatest need of the American farmer today, whethei within
or without this organization, is effectual leadership. I know that for
the socalled "rural proolem’ there are a thousand and one remedies, and
solutions suggested, some of them good, and some absolutely vicious
in intent and principle. None of them touch the core of the situation.
We need not REMEDIES but LEADERS. Give us proper leaders
in every state, and we shall soon find the remedies, and apply them.
The machinery for reform, for progress and prosperity; the greatest
Ians outlined by the brains of the most accomplished experts; capital
unmeasured proportion, are all at our disposal. All that is lacking
HEADERS to ADMINISTER and KEEP ADMINISTRERING
the GREAT and the LITTLE DETAILS that UNDERLIE the WEL
FARE of so MIGHTY an ORGANIZATION.
Some of us think we need more enthusiasm, more plans, higher
or lower dues, constitutional amendments, to go into politics, to let
politics severely alone. All these considerations are more or less vain.
•We do not need prescriptions. We need Doctors to See that the
Patients Take the Prescriptions and Keep on Taking Them.
If you ask me the proof of these statements, I point you to the
history of every farmers’ organization that has been born, risen to a
dizzy heighth in some instance, and then fallen to an inglorious death.
Whose was the fault in every case? That of the Leaders. The Wheel,
The Farmers’ Alliance, are they the mighty powers that once made the
nation tremble? You know they are not. Selfish leadership, coward¬
ly leadership, inefficient leadership. I know as well as any one else
that the Alliance had some splendid, unselfish leaders. But there
were not enough of them to save the organization.
You ask me my defination of a leader, and I will tell you a little
story. A few weeks ago I had occasion to ask a leader in a certain
state why an enterprise, xor which he was supposed to be responsible,
had failed. He answered: “Well, I worked like fire for the darn
fools, and stood a lot from them but. by Georgel I reached the point
where I wasn’t going to let them rub it in.”
That’s the point The successful leader of the farmer has got to
make up his mind, in the first place, that the farmer is sometimes
going to disappoint him. Then he must be willing to keep on serv¬
ing the farmer, whether as leader or as mere member, in the face of
nay and every disappointment. Then he must let the farmer “rub it
in” as hard as he wants to, grind his face in the dust, swipe the ever¬
lasting life out of him—but he must always console himself with the
reflection, “I expected this would happen sometime; these poor devils
need me; and sooner or later they’re going to see I meant well by
them and call on me for help.”
If I had believed every promise made to me by a howling, shout¬
ing convention of farmers, I would have been in the cemetery or the
asylum long ago. You’ve got to discount what they promise—and
discount it liberally. You can never afford to be surprised. If they
SEMI-WEEKLY
Fitzgerald Leader
FITZGERALD , J?EiV HILL COUNTY, GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 5, 1911 .
lose their temper, don’t lose yours! If they are suspicious, and criti¬
cal, and believe gossip and slander about you—and the farmer is still
given a little that way—just go on fighting the harden, and the more
intelligently. It will come out alright in the end, and, in the rnean-
time, you’ve served a body of people who need more serving, and
toleration and .'more forbearance than any similar class in his-
tory. Isn’t that a reward in itself?
Remember that every great movement or enterprise in history,
every great business or movement in the civilization of today, was
handled and is being handled by a few capable, carefully chosen men.
The movement of the farmer is no exception to this rule. You can
Ia y this down as an absolute guide: Spend nine-tenths of your time
and energy in conventions looking for Ihe right kind of leaders; then
spend the rest of your time following them up, co-operating with them
realizing they are human and not kicking them out the first time they
make an errorj but deraanding that they give yoa good and faithful
service.
We stm , ean t0Q much tQ th<J maQ who p[eases ug by abusing the
peopIe we d(m , t like and Hattering us about oursc i ve s, and shaking
our hands aod pufcting a hallulejah feeling on us. We must stop that,
altogether. It was men of that size who put the Alliance and every
other farmers’ movement out of business.’ You must choose for abili-
ty and ability alone.
Xheu when youVe found the rigllt man> you must surrender
yourself, your opinions, many of your so-called “rights,” and your in-
dependence to him absolutely. But be sure first, that you’ve selected
wisely, otherwise your surrender will be in vain, and the work will
receive a backset.
Y ou may ask me for definition of ability. I reply, when you have
a product to handle, select a man you know is Capable of Handling
that Product aud what’s more of Handling the Producers Themselves.
It is only when the man you choose is incapable of handling both
product and producer that failure comes, search back, and you can
trace every backward step (in the organization to the absence of the
man who can do these two things.
Ihe final test that you have picked the right man, : s when that
man can and will make you do the right thing. Give him time, and
make human allowances for him when he starts out. You expect him
to give you a square deal. Give him one! Then if, after you’ve both
had a square deal he “falls down”, or betrays you, or is unwilling to
offer up his blood on the altar of your welfare—get another mau.
Securing the right leader is, after all, a matter of co-operation,
which is one of the principles of our creed. Co-operation between
the man chosen and the members. He must remember that he is not
chosen to bulldoze you, and to impose his will on you unduly, or to
use your influence simply as a means for making meat and bread. The
man who aspires to lead his local or his state, or an enterprise in either,
and who views his job simply as one to keep the wolf from the door,
has mistaken his calling. His motive rnu-t be higher, nobler, more
sacriflcihg than that.
On your own side, the side of the member, the obligation of co
operation is equally compelling. You may not like a leader person-
ally, but you arejunfaithful to your oath if you let that interfere with
upholding him in wise policies. Success in the Farmers’, Union is not
a matter of personal likes or dislikes. It is the triumph of the good
of the cause, and that means that under every condition spite, envy,
malice, must be subordinated to the progress and welfare of the idea
back of this organization.
I rejoice that our people increasingly realize t^e truth of these
principles, and that their efforts are constantly directed toward find¬
ing, then upholding the correct brand of leaders. But I am so absorb¬
ed in the permanent success of this organization, that I want that con-
dition to rule universally, and wherever our work is organized. I
look about me in every religious, every industrial, every commercial
and political direction, whether in our own time or a thousand years
ago—and I see that the success of every great movement is founded
upon the efforts of a few conscientious, devoted and capable leaders.
I have discovered that that is the secret of success, wherever large
bodies of men are concerned. It is emphasized by the farmer, for the
r„eason that the conditions under which he lives are like those govern¬
ing no other class of people in history.
A leading principle the Farmers’ Union leader must bear in mind
is that he is cho.-en, chiefly, to secure a scientific, profitable market¬
ing of the products of the farmer. We all believe in county fairs, in
good roads, in swamp drainage, in (every issue that pertains to the
welfare of the country. But the member of this Organization is pay¬
ing his money for men who can develop the force and skill to place
his products on the market at an equitable price. Remember this is
your first duty. If you have any t.me left, if you do this work cor¬
rectly—you can sandwich in licks for these other things. But the
first obligation is for the principles which were in the minds of the
founders of the order, and if you will consult, tne Constitution you
will find these principles were scientific distribution afrd features of
an allied nature. Moreover, the members are coming to see they
must pay a decent price for the ability to accomplish these things,
and after they get hold of the right brand of aoility to give the leader
his head and their perfect co-operation, without whimpering or re¬
serving the right to say: “I’ll market my crop as I see fit and let my
neighbor follow order.”
One of the main causes that has interfered with the success of
every farmers’ movement, is the abundance of men who claimed they
•‘knew the farmer.” If enough of them had really “known the farm¬
er” they would have brought to success, instead of failure, the farm¬
ers’ organizations that now fill the graveyards of history. And if the
man who today aspires to lead the farmer, really “knows” him, he
will make good in handling him. The sheer fact that so many fail in
the farmer, and get out disgruntled or disgusted, is final evi¬
that the number of men who know the farmer on this continent
pitifully small. It is gradually increasing. The tribe is gradually
recruite d from the mill of blood and tears. But it is not yet
enough to be formidable.
As a matter of common justice, I want to pay tribute to the nat¬
officers who have aided me in your cause the past year. If I
have failed to discharge my duty or up to your rights in any particu¬
it is net their fault. Side by side, hand in hand, they have work¬
ed with me, giving their time and brain and strength with a free¬
heartedness that will remain with me as a lasting inspiration. They
Rules and Regulations
for City Primary
Election
We, The Executive Committee,
met in session called by the Chair¬
man, Wm. R. Bowen, and adopted
the following rules governing the
Primary to be held Sestember 20
th, 1911.
First; That The Australian
ballot System be adopted and used
in the white primary to be held in
and for the city of Fitzgerald on
the 20th day of September, 1911,
as is provided by law for elections
in the city of Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Second; That all candidates for
the respective city offices shall tile
their notice of candidacy in writ-
li g with fee with J.D. Dorminey,
Secretary, on or before six o’cLck
p. m. Saturday, September 9th.,
1911.
Third: The following fees are
assessed candidates for the pur¬
pose of defraying the expense
@f holding said Primary:
Mayor .., $15.00
Treasurer 5.00
Alderman ............. 3.00
Board of Education 2.00
Tax Assessor ....... 3.00
Water, Light and Bond
Commission............ 3.00
Fourth: That no banner shall
be displayed or exhibited of names
of the respective candidates in any
public place in said city, or on any
hack, carriage, automobile or ve-
hide of any kind. If any candi¬
date violates the provisions of this
paragraph, either by himself or
any other person, or allows the
same to be done shall in no event
be declared a succes>ful candidate
have given me ali the scope I needed, and 'they have ever been ready
to act boldly, in the cause of the organization.
To you, most of you seasoned veterans in the cause, and to the
world at large. I want to say that our work of aiding the American
farmer offers the greatest opportunity for service suggested by human
imagination. We have undertaken to weld into a compact body for
purposes of uplift and improvement the men upon whose shoulders
rests the burden of all the ages. We have undertaken to redress the
wrongs of men who have had the fewest genuine friends of any of the
wo rid’s people We have undertaken to make the farmer see, and
act upon the realization, that his salvation rests upon no liattering or
magic outside influence. We have undertaken to smash the petty
suspicions, the foolish animosities that have built up a wall between
the farmer and tne rest of the civilization, and unite them upon a basis
of common human interest.
We have undertaken to curb the capacity of those who have prey¬
ed, and still would prev, upon the farmer, who would gain his sup¬
port by specious words only to betray him, or who would turn the
results of his toil into personal profit. We have undertaken to make
of the farmer a business man, to gain for the country most of the ad¬
vantages enjoyed by the city. We have undertaken to so lift up the
head of the farmer, to so remind him of the glorious heritage that is
his by reason of saving this republic in all the great wars in which it
has plunged, that both he and the country shall forget the delusion
that he is a factor set apart, and that he is an American before he is
a farmer.
The task is making headway, it is destined to be the most com-
plete success in all history. Its greatest help will come, not from
theorists or enthusiasts, but from the men, the officers and members
within the organization, who haye struggled the long road of wreck
and defeat toward the heights where they can now see the sunrise.
I can speak thus plainly to you, because most of the men I face
are of the old guard, If we do not steer the organization past all pit
falls and bring it to fulfillment, no others can. You have gone through
storm and stress. You know what it is to be fooled and disappointed
and humiliated, and to stick on and tight in spite of all these handi¬
caps. If you fail, and a new set of men come in, what can they do,
no mutter how willing or earnest? They will have to undergo your
training. They in turn will have to be fooled and repudiated and
taught forbearance by bitter experience, as you have been taught.
And iD the meantime, the mighty movement in which we are all inter¬
ested will languish and falter, perhaps not get on its feet in many
years. That is why I am telling you that t^he salvation of the Ameri¬
farmer depends on this old guard and a few of the conscientious
left at home.
We of us who have fought the good fight, and who, as God gave
us light, we have kept the faith, are resolved that the cause shall not
fail. We know that the Farmers’ Union is the last call for the
American Farmer; that if it disappoints him, a half century, perhaps
a century,‘will elapse before another Farmers’ Organization can get
on its feet in this country. That is why we have pledged our very
lives to the man of the acres. That is why, knowing that the man
who fails the Farmers’ Union fails himself, we rejoice over the strug¬
gles already won, and with the Almighty Himself smiling on our ef¬
forts, greet with absolute confidence the struggles lying as so many
challenges in our pathway.
Official Organ of Ben
Hill County. $1.50
a Year,
FOZ.. XF/. JVO 57
Ricker win Take
Charge This Week
Mr. Geo. Ricker will doubtless
take active charge of the local
Post Office sometime this week.
Mr. Ricker's appointment as
Postmaster was confirmed by the
United States Senate several
weeks ago, leaving only his bond
to be accepted by the Post Of¬
fice Department.
Kelly, Holt. Mayor of Abba,
spent laqor day at Denmark’s
Drug Store with hi s many
friends.
in this Primary by this Commit¬
tee.
Fifth: The Managers and Clerks
holding said Primary shall not be
allowed but are hereby prohib¬
ited from giving information in
writing or otherwise to any per¬
son during hours the election is
beiDg held as to the name or names
of persons who have, or have not
voted.
Sixth: Voters are required to
cast their ballot for five candidates
for Alderman. If for more or less
than live, the ballot for Alderman
will not be counted by the Manag-
ers.
Seventh: All voters are re¬
quired to cast their vote for five
candidates for Board of Education.
If more or less than live, the ballot
for Board of Education will not
be counted by the Managers.
This the 4-th day of September,
1911.
W. R. Bowen, Chairman.
O. H. Elkins
Fred. J. Clark.
J. I). Dorminey, Secretary.