The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-06-05

The farmers who have united for SELF
protection against the eonscienceless and
grasping monopolists, were to have made
their first trial of strength in Illinois IN
the election of Judges on Monday last.
In a number of Districts they nominated
their own candidates and determined To
stand by them against all corners. Ne
cessarily in this preliminary trial, they
have had to contend against the disad-
vantages of infancy and imperfect or
oanization. Their machinery was not III
effective working order; and all its parts
had not been adjusted but we will be
amazed, nevertheless, if the Changers
have not exhibited a strength which Is
beyond precedent in the growth OF or
Plantations in this country. 1t will be
remembered that it took many years to
huiId ND the Democratic party whose
colossal proportions finally overshadowed
all other organizations; and the Repul'-
lican party for long period was mere
sectional faction despised for its feeble
ness as well as for the narrowness of its
aims. Now what is it? And what has
it not accomplished But here is this
movement of the Tillers of the Soil,
which is the outgrowth of abuses that
have become hoary with years, and no
longer endurable, confined to no partlcu-
lar branch of agriculture, nor to any
section, but co-extensive with the broad
limits of the Union-numerically larger
than all the other occupations IN the
country put together-this movement
which has been in existence but few
months, already embraces membership
of half the votes in some of the States and
one-third the aggregate number OF the
entire voting population of all the States.
1t has essayed to measure arms with the
established order in the greatest agricul-
tural State in the Union, preparatory to
broader and more effective work hereaf-
ter.
Referring to this preliminary proceed
ing in the matter of electing Judges, the
Chicago Tribune, the leading Republican
paper in the West-says:
Farmers nominations of candidates for
Judges are but an incident; the organiza-
ton has further and more distinctive work
before it. In November next, there is to be
elected in every county in this State corps
of county officers, including Treasures,
County Clerks. Surveyors, etc which have
heretofore been regarded as the exclusive
spoils of party managers. The farmers
organizations will probably nominate their
own men, and elect them to all these places
except in the larger cities. A year later,
in 1874, they will have their organization so
complete in every township that they will
take the election of the % state Senators
and the 153 Representatives in the Legisla-
ture into their own hands. We do not say
that this is altogether desirable. but we
look upon it as highly probable. They will
also take into their own hands the election
of members of Congress, and will select
men not because of their advocacy of the
Fifteenth Amendment nor of their loyalty
during the war, but because of their sup
posed fidelity to farmers interests.
In the meantime, what will become of the
Republican and Democratic parties?
If the farmers movement shall give them
the coup de grace, whether Intentionally or
otherwise, it will have taken the first step
to a wider and more wholesome reform
than its projectors intended.