22 AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs and legal Representa- 

 tives Jointly and severaly & firmly by these presents In Witness where of we 

 have hereunto subscribed our Names and affixed scrolls for seals this the 2ist 

 day of February A D 1880 



'* The conditions of the above obligation are as follows to Wit where as the 

 above bounden principal John W Sullivan shall and truly well pay over all 

 money belonging to the grand State Alliance and make Reports of all money 

 that may be paid into his hands to the Secretary of the Grand State Alliance 

 this bond shall be null void otherwise to Remain in full force & effect 



"J. W. SULLIVAN 

 "JOHN S. REEVES 

 " A. E. ROBERTSON 



"The above bond examined and approved this February the 2ist A D 1880 



"W. T. BAGGETT, Pres. 

 " J. H. DOVER, Secretary." 



It must be remembered that the Grand State Alliance con- 

 sisted more in its title than in its membership or importance, 

 since it sometimes held its meetings at a country school-house, 

 with perhaps five or ten delegates from adjacent Alliances. 

 Business was completed usually in one day, and the outside 

 world took but little interest in its affairs. It gradually grew in 

 members and developed a plan of campaign, as well as a code of 

 principles that began to attract the attention of the best class of 

 farmers in that part of the State. Organization among the 

 agricultural portion of the people was such a prime necessity 

 that no effort in that direction, of very long continuance, could 

 remain unsuccessful. Our early brethren acted upon this belief, 

 and seemed to be more anxious to start right, with proper rules, 

 regulations, and sound doctrine, than to gain members. They 

 fully realized, no doubt, that correct methods and just principles 

 would bring a sufficient membership, and ultimately lead to suc- 

 cess ; while a large following, guided by an ill-advised system 

 and a false doctrine, must sooner or later end in disaster. That 

 these brethren acted wisely, the present status of the order is 

 ample proof. 



It must also be remembered that these brethren were farmers, 

 compelled to do their thinking amid the daily efforts of hard 

 labor ; that they were not trained in the school of political 

 economy, and were, therefore, unacquainted with the fine-spun 



