The Lincoln County herald., 1873-05-28
Politics and Patrons Of IIuSbaudry
I From Colman's Rural World

Politics and Patrons Of lluSbaudry.
IFrom Coman's Rural World
The result Of our county and township
election surprised the friends Of the far
mcrs' movement, las well as those who
or posed it. The dominant party had
made nomination in the customary man
ner. II but few attended the caucus, it
must have been the fault Of those who
were absent rather than those present..
If the friends of the nominees secured
their nomination by request or favor.
there was certrinlv nothing unusual about
that.
A few farmers took it into their heads
to call caucus Of farmers, and they
made nominations for themselves as far.
mers-not as psrtisans; and although
the time was barely sufficient to make 1t
fully known ut the different precincts.
vet this seems to have been all that was
necessary, and tile ticket was elected
handsomely.
As VIC had but lately commenced or.
ganizing oranges. some think the success
is directly attributable to that oreaniza-
ton, and look upon it as political move
ment, another Know nothing trick but
[ know, partly of my own knowledge.
and Iar,ly from the very best sources
that the subject had never been men
toned inside Of grange. l doubt even
if it had de much us silently entered the
t mind of any member while iu attendance
10 the grange. Article XII constitution
of the National Grange positively pro
hibi,s political or religious questions as
r subjects of discussion or tests Of mem
. bership, in the work Of the order.
g 1t has perpcxed wiser heads than
t mine to know how farmers can col rect
some of their grievances without discuss
. ing politics in the oranges How can
d they reach the halls Of legislation, where
7 many of the wrongs originate, without
e electing men Of their own choice? And
. how can they elect them without first
d agreeing to do SO iu the only effective
farmers union yet proposed? | have
y been told that there is a wide difference
J. between partisan politics and political
= economy, and l fear politicians have
generally dissolved partnership With
d political economy but to admit discus
sions of political economy, it seems to
J me that we should frat have to procure
G a more limited definition OF politics
It than Websters, leaving out science Of
government.
r 1t is cmincnt'y proper and nece, ,sary
10 to exclude tire current party politics from
the order. but like many others l think
< some subject concerning government aud
r, law making, in which farmers are directly
d interested, aud about which they could
not seriously disagree, might be admitted
with esusl propriety, and for the general
- good.
= The order was no doubt started by a
10 few persons on such basis and with
d, such regulations as they thought best
D. and as may have teen really the bes. for
a start 1t is yet partly in its infancy
! but as it gains grounds in the affections
of its fast increasing members, II will he
d, no longer under the control or judgment
le Of q few. 1t will take such course a,
ID tho united wisdom Of hundreds of thou
le sands may direct, and If modification
'g is desired by a controlling majority, II
le will be made. 1t is almost useless, ever
10 in its present state, I" speculate on wha
Id may be accomplished through this or
'e ganixation. The 6rst thing on hands il
It to get the farmers united, and while THU
q 10 progressing, secure what insiden'a
'f benefits We can, and gain experience
When this shall have been proxmately
o accomplished, il will scarcely be an open
is question what they can do next. More
ut will depend on what they will do.
" Meantime, as coon as farmers educate
a, the mselves to concert Of action in the
d, oranges, cultivate confidence and good
ut will toward each other, and Rnd out The
" amount Of latent talent within the''
ranks, | think our municipal election
l NAV teach Us . lesson worth remember
ing If we cannot talk politics OF any
At kind 10 the oranges, We can have farm
ers' meetings, caucuses aud convention'
outside. We can nominate our best
men, leaving out Office seekers, whether
they live on farm or in lawyers ofhce
and we cab get plenty Of help TO ele
them from towns and cities BY good men
Who despise demseoeuery as much as We
1t do. CHARLES PATTERSON.
~ KirksvilIe, May Z, 1873.
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