100 AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



persistent efforts are put forth by them to thwart us in every attempt at 

 reform, or effort to correct the prevailing evils that now environ and 

 threaten the destruction of our industrial classes. 



Ours is no common effort. We are approaching a period of social 

 and political development that will test the wisdom and patriotism of 

 our whole people, and will demand the most guarded and conservative 

 action of our greatest statesmen. 



The weal or woe of our nation depends upon the intelligent action of 

 the industrial and conservative classes, through organization, education, 

 and co-operation. 



Brethren, in view of the above facts, and recognizing you as repre- 

 senting the intelligence of the various State organizations in this, our 

 highest legislative body (a creature of the National Farmers' Alliance 

 and Co-operative Union of America and the National Agricultural 

 Wheel, the consolidated power and influence of which make it one of 

 the greatest organizations in the world), would call your attention to the 

 gravity, magnitude, and importance of this occasion, and impress upon 

 you the necessity of the most guarded, intelligent, and conservative 

 action. 



It is an evident fact that to free our industrial classes from the oppres- 

 sions that now prevail so universally, will require a perfect concert of 

 action of all sections ; therefore, one of the most important subjects 

 to be considered by this body is a basis of union or co-operation with 

 all kindred organizations ; and whereas there have been negotiations 

 between the National Farmers' Alliance and the Farmers' Mutual Benefit 

 Association of the Northwestern States, looking to a consolidation of 

 these two great agricultural organizations with the Farmers and Laborers' 

 Union of America, and as delegates from the National Farmers' Alliance 

 and National Mutual Benefit Association are now in the city, I would 

 recommend that you give this matter your immediate attention, and, if 

 possible, agree upon a basis of union, or at least co-operation. 



I would call your attention to the necessity of more closely guarding 

 State rights in our constitution. 



Would recommend that the work of organizing should come under 

 the jurisdiction of State organizations, provided, however, that, in unor- 

 ganized States, the president of the Farmers and Laborers' Union of 

 America shall appoint organizers and take general supervision of the 

 work ; and 



Whereas, The constitution defines the duties of an executive com- 

 mittee, would call your attention to the failure of its providing for the 

 creation of same ; and 



