Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-25
POPULAR OPINION.
some Comments ON the Changers.

BRANDON, Dec. %.
Editor Rutland Herald Il noticed an
article in your paper some two weeks
ago, as an editorial, expatiating at great
length on the good that was to accrue
from the establishment of the Farmers
Oranges here in Vermont. Differing
with you on that point, and knowing the
willingness of the HERALD to admit
criticisms, even on your own views, |
take this occasion to state mine. | am
willing to admit that the Grange or Far
mers' movement was started in good
faith, for a good purpose, among the
grain growers of the West, the main OBJ
ject being to aid the grain producers in
some way in securing cheaper rates of
transportation to Eastern markets; but
like many other great and good move
ments of reform, as soon as it had as
sumed sufficient proportions to attract
the attention of the country and the
press, it was at once harnessed to the
wheels of the political chariots of brols-
en- down political parties, and used as a
lever to advance the interests of ambi-
tious Office seekers.
1t was astonishing to see with what
rapidity farming became the most popu-
lar calling of the day, with certain
class of political aspirants. Men of
all shades of professions were very anx-
ious to enroll themselves among the
members of this noble, but long neglect
ed profession. They bought farms, if
but an acre, and donned the red wammus
and slouched hat attended their great
mass meetings, and, as matter of
course, soon had entire control of the or
ganization, and used it to enhance polit-
ical interests, as the fall elections in
many western States attest.
Now, may l ask what interest have
we in Vermont to foster the growth of
such an order? For my part, l can see
but one, viz: for the use of demagogues
and political hucksters. We are not q
grain-growing and shipping people, and
if so, are near to water shipment and the
sea ports so there is no good to come
from that direction.
The world has a way of judging men
by the company they keep, and the same
rule will apply to organizations and their
objects, by the class of men they are
composed of and by the application of
this rule in this case, is not their object
closely defined Now may | ask who
and what are the men who are the lead
ing spirits in thismovement in Vermont.
Are they our most intelligent farmers
those who can define the great benefits
they expect to realize from the workings
of this order? Not by any means. /
assert without fear of contradiction that
this movement through the State has
q political significance, and that its
leading spirits here in Brandon, who are
not farmers but doctors, druggists, mer-
chants and men of other professions, are
no exceptions to the class who are in
strumental in organizing this movement
in other towns in Vermont.
They calculate that the word ''farm-
er" will dupe some of our good old Re-
publican farmers and draw them away
to worship false gods, but it cannot win.
1t is too thin. They will do as they did
at the meeting here in Brandon. When
they were ready to call the roll to or
ganize, nearly all the substantial think
ing farmers got up and left the room,
thinkir g they smelt a mice, and they
were compelled to go out on the street
and bring in young ladies and men of
doubtful sanity to get enough to fill their
offices, and this after two months of
hard labor is not very encouraging for
the Brandon grange.
Secret political organizations have al
ways proved dangerous elements to the
peace and prosperity of nations and the
arraying of class against class is equally
damaging and unwise. All men of
Democratic proclivities spoke loud in its
praise. Those who called themselves
Liberal Republicans think it just the
needed reform and all sore-headed poll
ticians think it godsend.