The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-29
The Illinois Farmers.

gbc Farmers Association of Illinois is
pronounced in its political feAtuies
ssan what are known as the grangers. The
Farlers Association ut 4 rcccut State cor.
yenuos at Decatur, Illinois. dec Jared their
political opinions in the most decided man
Nor. They denounced "the back. pay scan-
da,," the prostitution Of the civil service,
the general increase Of salaries, and The cX-
sravssanoe OF Government expenditures.
they furthermore demanded q revenue Ia.
riif, the repeal Of the rational banking law,
and fsS oyed q Government currency inter-
ahangeasle with bonds bearing low rate Of
Interest.
These are quite enough In the way Of
'oiitics TO enti,le the Farmers Association 10
le character Of q political organization.
But It's notable feature Is that it dees not ap-
var 10 have any alliance with old parties
!: shows no especial forbcarauce towards
General aRAsT. Indeed, one Of the resolu-
sioas Ct the Association mentions his name in
eon1 cetisn with censurc concerning the
salary scsBdsl. The speeches during the
esss and Independence. Indeed, tho body
smphattsaIIy rcpudiated party ties. 1t held
She ao'se wihs language:
"i'Sc preser> elton Of our national life,|
says Lhc FIRST resolution, " imperatively de-
% nrands that every American voer shall at
"tnd vito caro- all primary nominations
"and elections, 50 rs to secure the clee'ion OF
CON pstcnt aud honest men, "Thc re-
cent record Of the old political parties Of
"thIs country" says tie second, "is such
" rs TO Forfeit the confidence and respect Of
the people and we are therefore absolyed
ifofn ~ :. allegiance to them"
Is decided as is this Illinois association
IN its politics, we suppose that in national
elections II viii! combine with the oranges.
Cnquestionably these organized bodies OF
farmers must WELD an immense power. The
Farmers in the West and the Northwest hold
m the power, and if they are only united
hey must sweep the country. One good
hat promises to grow out Of their move
nent Is that voters will likely feel greater
freedom, and will cast their votes more con-
~ientiously, selecting the best men, and
shrowing their influence into the scale Of the
4ountry's good rather than for the mere well
fare OF party, in obedience to party tyranny.
Pe-haps these organizations Of farmers
open the gates to the nation for escape from
the destructive tyranny of party which WAS
engendered by the war, and which cannot
eopsent, now that the war Is over, to relax
It's rigid rule, In obedience to the dictates
Of peace and national harmony. It can
not consent to this because 1t feals that the
giving up OF sectional legislltion and the
harsh spirit OF sectional anlmoslly will de.
prive 1t 2 all power. The continuation
OF these tyraunies and hates is fatal TO pub
JIG peace and prosperity; and although the
grabges n,ay DOT be swaFe Of 1t, this is the
seed which has produced their own germl-
nation and growth. Is not the first priuc..
pie laia down by the farmers the plain re.
suit of an arbitrary and harsh exercise OF
power by the ruling party? They declare
themselves abeolyed from all allegiance to
the old parties, whose record they declare
~is such as to forfeit the coufdencs and re-
spect OF the people,"
Therefore, come what may of the organiza-
GODS OF farmers,--really the ruling class
1his good Will be urqurstionably established:
greater decree of independence amongst
The voters. That will rapidly improve the
character Of representatives and Office
holders. What Is to become of the Farmers
Associations with reference to politics Is a
mystery but if they enable the country to
shaEe on the present party yassalase 1t will
confer lasting good upon the nation.
The main object of the Farmers Unions
Is their own protection from burtheus, de-
lays, and excessive charges for transporta
.ioD, for commissions, &c. The means
shrooRh which tiey intend to WORK may
cot prove efficient, and they may he sub.
lected Z" great disappolntments. 1t NAV he
proved that as class they cannot perfect
any system by which they will Gain their
ead, and that after all their ouly course is