I 78 AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



advanced position on economic questions, in order to make 

 co-operation more probable. Again, there was a strong element 

 from the West demanding independent action, and at the same 

 time showing, as the result of such a movement, the fruits of the 

 last election. This was met by a conservative force largely from 

 the South, but really from nearly all the States represented, 

 which considered it unwise and untimely. The wily politician 

 was there also, and as usual dangerous to all honest purposes ; 

 the traitor and breeder of discord was not wanting; and the 

 coward could be occasionally met with. All this tended to 

 distract the brethren and destroy that continuity of action with- 

 out which the results of the meeting would have been disastrous. 



Under such unfavorable circumstances the delegates began 

 their work. For weeks and months certain newspapers and 

 individuals had been poisoning the minds of the brotherhood 

 with slanderous assaults upon certain members of the order, 

 whose downfall would best serve the purposes of the politicians 

 of either party, and prepare the way for the overthrow of the 

 order, if possible. These attacks were so bold and brutal that 

 an investigation was at once demanded by some of the victims. 

 This investigation disclosed the viciousness of the plot and the 

 entire innocence of the accused. 



The message of the president was temperate, well considered, 

 and enthusiastically received. It was full of encouragement, 

 and seemed to crystallize the scattered forces and bring the 

 delegates together. The report of the secretary was thorough 

 and complete, and inspired confidence in that officer. The 

 report of the lecturer disclosed a year of hard work, and the 

 addition of a large number of States to the order was proof of 

 the efficacy of his labor. The report of the Executive Com- 

 mittee was thoughtful and logical, and contained much that was 

 worthy of consideration. Taken altogether, the national officers 

 made a splendid showing of the year's work, and the brethren 

 were highly pleased. The real labor of the meeting was begun 

 in earnest, and with the determination to do that which was 

 best for the interest of the order, honestly and fearlessly. The 

 old officers were re-elected, with the exception of Brother 

 Willits of Kansas being chosen national lecturer in the place 

 of Brother Terrell, who had held that position for the past four 



