New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-21
GOOD 1DHICE.

a
meeting of Farmers at Winchester, Illinois,
and though it was unwise in some respects,
we find so much practical sound sense in it that
we should be glad, if we had room, to print
it in THE TRIBUNE. The Farmers are by far
the most numerous industrial class in the
United States. They represent an enormous
capital and an enormous annual production
of national wealth. If they could combine,
as the railroad men have combined, they could
carry everything before them in majority
of the States. 1t is notorious, however, that
as a class they are scarcely at all represented
in Congress, and very meagerly represented
in the State Legislatures. They have allowed
the agents of corporations to nearly monopo-
lie the business of politics and legislation, to
set up candidates, to propose laws, to bargain
and intrigue for special privileges; aud the
Farmers have submissivey voted at their die
tation. The result is that the power OF the
railroad companies has Overshad0wed every
thing else. 1t has debauched a score OF the
most eminent men in Congress-to say nothing
of the multitude of minor politicians whom it
owns, body and soul-and it has become
serious question whether it has not debauched
both political parties to such an extent that
there is no hope of their reformation. Ger
tainly the railroads have got beyond legisla-
tive control unless we can infuse into politics
q new spirit as q cOunteracting influence.
This spirit is tn be found only, we believe,
in the agricultural class; and therefore MIR.
Flagg is clearly in the right when he tells
the Farmers of Illinois that they commit a
great mistake in trying to hold their oranges
oil
cal action and discussion. 1t is the corruption
of politics by railway rings and Credit Mobiller
rings which has brought them to their present
distress and it Is only through the purlhcatl0n
of politics that they can find permanent
relief. The old party managers, and wire
pullers, and caucus agents, and warehouses
of both the existing organizations are now tum-
bling over each other in their haste to grasp
the honest son of toll by the hand, and as
sure him of their undying devotion to the
agricultural interest. The Farmers are shrewd
enough to distrust them all alike, and not to
pledge their support again to the politicians
who have betrayed them so often before. Ii
we are not very much mistaken, they will
care very little this time for platforms, which
are only built to be kicked to pieces as soon
as the election is over, and will scrutinize
pretty closely the personal character OF indi-
yidual candidates They will choose good
men. without much respect to party ties and
we hope they will send to Congress and the
State Legislatures a large proportion of inde-
pendent practical Farmers. This is
bad year for Christian statesmen with
their pockets full of Pacific Railroad
bonds, political lawyers who take retaining
fees from railway companies, and professional
politicians who strike the corporations for the
bulk of their election expenses, and then vote
themselves back pay for their valuable ser
vices. We look to the Farmers, more than
to any other class, to counteract the mis-
chievous money influence which has filed our
public offices with venality and selfshness !;
and so we say to the Changers, Don't keep
out of politics, but go in and cleanse them.
You have the majority. Vote like intelligent
and independent men, and all the money OF
the monopolists cannot beat you.