The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-05-22

empire tends. 1t j. the uprising OF that
immense and essential body Of the coun-
try who are engaged in the cultivation Of
the soil, aided and abetled by the forces
Of other auxiliary occupations. Long
have they been the victims Of wrong.
Long have they been the hewers Of wood
and drawers Of water for monopolies and
other interests favored and built up and
fostered by the Government.
1t has 50 happened that the burdens Of
government have fallen almost exclusive
" on the farmers, whose toll and sweat
constitute the support and Iite-blood Of
every other industry and pursuit. Who
can get along without the farmer? The
merchant, the lawyer, the banker-an
directly. or indirectly, draw their sus
teuauce from his labor. Without it, the
whole industrial fabric, whether of land
or sea, would tumble down ike the walls
Of Jericho. There Is 10 other prop on
which this stupendous structure can rest.
Is it not surprising, therefore, that
the vast multitudes who comprise this
indispensable master pursuit Of farming
have so long submitted to the exactions
and expressions Of which they have been
the victims, in this country where the
baIlot-box affords the means Of reforming
bad legislation and redressing wrong?
There can be no estimating the strength
it would develop if It's powerful energies
We're brought into full play. 1t is every
where. 1t belongs to no section. 1t
Families the centre, the circumference
and all the remote corners Of the Union.
And it is linked and bound together by
a community Of interest which no infu-
ence is powerful enough to separate or
to weaken.
Taxes fall chiefly upon the farmers.
Everything they use in their pursuit is
taxed. The iron with which they turn
the furrow Is protected by tariff
which secures a monopoly to its manu-
facturers. The tools with which they
fashion the implements that are used in
cultivating the soil cost them high from
the same cause. The duties on all the
articles they wear-on all the neces-
saries they consume - are exorbitant
They are robbed by the Government to
feed the drones, incompetents and cor
ruptionists who crawl into high places
The Salary Steal alone took from their
pockets nearly two millions of dollars;
and this is but a single drop from an
ocean Of extravaganza and plumber. They
are robbed by the Railroads. On every
hand they are heeced, and the Govern
ment to which their industry gives life
and prosperity and greatness at home and
abroad, on land and on sea, is the main
agent in the preparation of these enor-
mites.
1t is the wonder of the times that this
class has been 50 long patient under its
manifold wrongs. 1t is a marvel that
this giant has not before now shaken off
It's lethargy, and aroused himself to ac-
ton. 1t is a marvel that the lion has
suffered itself to be led by a single
thread like a lamb to the slaughter. But
this thing is passing away. The long
silence, like stiffness in the physical
world has forboded storm The forces
are at work to produce it, and at last,
sounds ominous Of great events are
heard. The Men of the Soil are organ
ling to accomplish the reforms which
can no longer be postponed There are
farmers organizations known as Oranges,
or Patrons Of Husbandry, in every State
IN the Union. In some of them. they
a majority Of the voting popu-
lation. In all, this organization already
numbers within a fraction of two millions
of voters; and it is but in its infancy. |
The emergency which has created it
overrides all other influences. The far
mers are not pausing to consider what |
effect it will have on existing political |
Party ties are as resist
less against the motives which have swept |
them into this movement as the cords |
that bound the strong man who pulled !
down the pillars of the temple The /
farmers are determined to be free! They /
IRE bound together by an electric chain |
Of sympathy. One motive animates the /
whole. That their organization will be
I power in the land cannot be questioned. |
1t is not the work Of politicians. 1t is
not the child Of expediency. 1t is the
he creation Of the hard-fsted, the in
elligent the solid men of the country.
1t Is the outgr0wth of necessity which /
oveTides all other influences and consider
atoms. As it proposes to crush the
hydra OF monopoly, it will find willing
abettors in the ranks of those who value
he traditions of the old Democratic
party. As it Is committed to the doe
rine of free trade and sailors rights it
viii naturally sweep into It's embrace the
-ast body of Republicans who went out
II the old party with Chase and Hale
md the Van Burens, into the Free Soil
party. Made up Of the best material of
Ill the old Professionalism the youth
md vigor of the country-and organ
zed especially to protect the corner stone
interest Of the entire industrial fabric of
he land against extortion and legalized
march viii be triumphant.
Is course will be onward. Existing or
.anizations can only hold themselves to-
ether by getting out of its way, or
ieldino obedience to its DEGREES. 1t