The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-08-12
Have the Farmers Skill to Succeed
(Concluded)
THE HONEST YEoMANRY BUSINESS
WON'T WIN.


In other States, expressions of senti-
ment like the above have been acted upon,
and while the oranges have assumed to
be non partizan, they have yet quietly ex,
erted an influence which has determined
the result OF local elections. In these
cases the oranges have united IN the sup
port Of men, who, il party issues were ac-
tive, could not have secured their support
An Illinois Granger, who hold high posi-
ton among the patrons, who IN politics
when party lines we're taut, was a strict
Republican voted for Craig, the Demo
crat, instead Of Lawrence, the Republican.
In explaining his course he said that it |
was not from any lack of respect for Judge |
Lawrence's ability as a judge or honor as
n man, that he declined to vote for him,
but because he was put forward by legal
cliuue, who had not consulted the people,
and the people-Of whom he was one-de-
termined TO teach the clique that the PEG
pie could no longer submit TO such tricks
and that party lines could no longer hold
men in subsection to the dictatlon OF a few
political tricksters Judge Lawrence was
defeated not because he was and had
been Republican, nor because the PEG.
pie distrusted his legal ability or official
purity, but because he was put forward
by a clique of lawyers, and, said the stur-
DIV farmer, I'VE want none of that In
our'n." The farmers will hereafter ignore
earty lines, and vote for the best men be
fore them soliciting their suffrage regard
less Of the candidate former political as
sociations
OH, NO, NOT POLITICAL DIsINTEdRAToR.
The writer put a direct question to a
gentleman who has taken prominent
part in the farmers movement in Illinois,
and who now occupies an influential posi-
ton among the Patrons Of Husbandry, to
this effect: Would the Patrons of Illus
bandry nominate candidates for official
positions in case the party caucuses should
fail 10 present names satisfactory the pa
trOns2 Would the farmers, irrespective
of farmer party affiliations, support such
nominees 2
The answer was Yes. certainly we
would present our own candidates, and the
farmers would support them without a
doubt. The same gentleman, whose
name is not given, because he requested
that il should be withheld at present, a.
sured the writer that hereafter in many
counties the farmers would nominate, and
elect officers FROM their own ranks. YET
we are told that the farmers movement
has no political significance! Ii has thu
elements of strength and enthusiasm al
admit-it possesses the repelleut proper
ties which means disintegration. Politi
clans would ride this revolution as hOrs,
u the green pastures of political prefer
ment. Can they
THE MOMENTUM OF THE MOVEMENT.
Al - a.
ment give strength sufficient to those en-
gagged IN it to resist the pressure Of party
associates At various times in the his
tory Of parties in this country have persons
endeavored to organize against venerabl,
partisanism but generally these attempts
have had no broad principes-no glitter
ing generalities 10 beguile, but, proceeding
upon some specific grounds of complain
on which the masses could not stand
they. have failed But this movement
contains elements Of power not possessed
By any mere sect /. proceeds upon thu
broad principle Of equal justice To all
proposes 10 destroy nothing, but to bull,
up all alike. 1t has no images 10 smash, o
sect IN punish. The only claim they max,
who are engaged in it. is that part Of tn,
the people shall not suffer in order tina
publicans can remain with their distinctly,
names if they only insist upon 1t that Ger
tain healthful reforms in government shall
take place. So much for the political a.
poets OF the farmers movement. The
don make war on existing parties neyel
theless, express willingness to destru
one or both Of them il they interfere
prevent consummation of their wishes
certain directions.
WHEREIN LIE THE ELEMENTS or PowEI
But the politico-social views Of the leat
ers in this movement is not the chief ell
ment Of strength in the new departul
among the rural populations. Hither
the country people have not exercised a
influence at all commensurate with the
numbers, intelligence and Importance as
class in our population.
The reason is obvious The farmir
population has occupied position Of isol
ton. The social relations have not bee
cultivated, and little sympathy has bee
developed among them. Each farmer an
his family lived apart FROM others. The
knew nothing Of the power Of associatiC
and had no knowledge of the principles
cooperation The institution Of the Ord
of the Patrons Of Husbandry has produce
wonderful social revolution. Patrol
have informed the writer that thirty
forty per cent more newspapers and pc
iodieals are taken by members of Il
oranges than were taken by the same pc
pie before the order was introduced, tn
higher standard Of intelligence is ever
where sought, and the people are becou
ing every day better fitted 10 fulfil Il
duties OF citizenship. Social intercOurs
which is iOstered and encouraged by Il
very principles upon which the order
Patrons Of Husbandry IS based, is prOdu
ing valuable results III begettiDg a larg
degree Of sympathy between the farm
and his neighbors.
CO-OPERAuON-sELF.
II is this social idea which has perform
ed 50 important part in the organizatiC
of the Patrons Of Husbandry into grang
that has led 20 a further utilization of Il
force Of cooperation as an element of I'll
movement. In tact, il is doubtful IL d
cooperative features Of the order cou
have been successfully applied until Il
distrust Of the people was removed by co
tact through association. There is mo
confidence now, and a better sentime
prevailing everywhere. The isolation
the farmer ; life has been removed he
brought face 30 face with his neighbor, al
is not displeased by the contact Al
this mntualconiiden isprodueing resi-
which was perhaps ut first unanticipate
Twenty men can accomplish what one cou
not perform. Commercially speaking I'll
is just what the farmers have recent
learned
Each grange has become a co-operati
society. Mr.. Allen says that the patro
in Missouri have say ed large sum
money by buying agricultural implemen
by the wholesale and at wholesale rat,
As yet, however, the system has not be
fully applied in this State, and any stat
ment OF the actual amount Of money saw
would fail to reveal the advantage 10
gained by the farmers. 1t is estimat
that at least S7O0,O00 might be saved a
nually 10 the farmers by q general ado
ton Of the grange system OF cooperate
Here is another force of Conference viii