New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-09
each other our nves our fortunes. and sacred

each other our liyes our fortunes and our sacred
honor.
DANGER OF DIssENsIoNs ON THE FREK-TRADE ISSUE
The new anti-monopoly party is sure to meet with
MANY difficulties and to encounter many dangers.
Its first and probably its greatest enemy will be the
Free Trade faction. A large majority of those VINO
have heretofore acted with the Democratic party OF
this State are as is well known, Fredericksburg
is they profess themselves to be in favor OF "A tar
for revenue only"-and. in certain sections Of the
State many who have been Republicans profess the
same tariff creed OF course, in an organization
made up principally of farmers without regard to
past party connections this element will be largely
represented and urged on by such nfiu-
entail journals as The Chicago Tribune and
The Chicago Times, which strive to place the
tariff before all other questions. they are constantly
thrusting Free Trade resolutions before every
county and State convention that is held. So great
an interest has The Chicago Tribune taken In the
matter that on at least one occasion, its reporter
has attended farmers meeting with Free Trade
resolution already prepared, and has urged 1T upon
the Committee on Resolutions. In some counties
the farmers have already passed Free Trade resolu-
tons; in others they have been introduced, but
have provoked so much discussion that they have
been withdrawn, and in one or two instances reso-
buttons favoring present system OF Protection
have been adopted Generally this question has
been avoided.
But the danger TO the new party does not lie so
much in the action of the County Conventions as IN
that of the State Association Local Republican
Conventions in this State have at different times
denounced Protective Tariffs, and one Congress
District has elected Republican Free-Trader for Its
Representative. This has not caused division III
the party. But let Free Trade resolution be intro
duced into Republican State Convention in Hi
mole and rortlHq an
messed. So the Livingston County farmers may ue-
clare themselves opposed to tariff steals wlthouG
endangering the success OF the movement III Tue
State but if they attempt to force similar IesOlu-
ton upon the State Convention, although tney may
possibly have majority who will pass It, they VIII
certainly divide the supporters OF the movement
THE TARIFF PROBABLY TO BE REMANDED TO THE
LOCAL CONVENTIONS.
This has already been well illustrated. In the
Bloomington Convention, the Committee on Resolu-
tons reported nothing on the tariff but just before
the adjournment a resolution in favor of removing
the duty on iron lumber and SALT was read and de-
clared adopted, probably without attracting the
attention of many of the members. AT the Spring
field Convention, the PrOtectonists had majority
of two of the Committee on Resolutions, Dut lhe
minority were so persistent that they finally induced
member TO vote with them and one TO abstain
from voting, and so reported strong Free Trade
resolution. When this reached III the ConVen-
ton it caused excited debate, and though 1t was
finally passed. threatened to destroy all harmony III
the BODY. The next daY the excitement still con-
nued until Mr.. Smith, Secretary of the State Asso-
ciatioD moved TO reconsider both the Free Trade
resolution and another containing an absurd threat
to tear up the Alton Railroad track if the company
did not do certain things. The latter resolution he
opposed because II meant nothing and would do no
good, but rather bring discredit upon the COnven,
because it touched subject on which
tho farmers could not agree, and, though
one side or the other might be strong enough to
carry through resolution, its passage would only
breed discomfort among the minority. lie was In
favor of ruling this subject out of the State Assoca
ton and leavngi it entirely to the people. IN Their
local elections. In short he favored the policy laid
down in the Cincinnati Convention year ago. aud
was far successful as to procure reconsideration
of both resolutions, and they were then promptly
tabled The question is to obtrude itself upon
every State and National Convention that is held.
If the farmers left to themselves, think they
will be content TO give expression to their senti-
ments in their local conventions allow far the poll
ticians will be able TO influence them remains TO Dc
seen.
DANGERS OF MANIPULATION BY PROFESSIONAL
POLITICIANS.
And this brings me to the second great danger
which the movement is likely to eneounter-the
manipulation of professional politicians and chronic
office-seekers Until the farmers developed their
political strength in the late judicial election both
of these classes let them entirely alone. The three
conventions already held were managed entirely by
the farmers themselves The speakers were nearly
all farmers and the State and county officers OF the
Association have been chosen entirely from this
class of citizens. Since that election great number
of aspiring patriots who have been repeatedly
passed over by the people, are shouting the anti
monopoly watchwOrds at the top of their voices.
In certain counties they have already an
nounced themselves as farmers candidates for
local offices, and in one OF two i'm
stances, men who have had a longing eye on a seat
in Congress for the last twenty years. and were al
most ready to give up in despair, have gained new
hope and have approached some of the officers and
most influential men in the State Association with
offers of their personal services in return for the
greSs or other desirable positions We're to be Sc
lected. / believe that all such offers have been
promptly rejected. 1t is the avowed purpose of the
farmers to retain control of their movement them
selves; TO select for office not men who seek it, but
those whom they know to be able, honest, and in-
and while they will welcome votes
from any quarter, they propose that the profess
siOna politicians shall for time take back seats
fHE FALL ELECTIONS TO TEST THE NEW, oRGANIzA-
TON.
Ihave formed my estimate of the political strength
Of the Farmers Movement in this State from con-
versations with farmers who are actively laboring
for its success, from information given me by Mr..
s. NJ Smith, and from the official correspondence to
which he gave me access. found in Chicago no
one who could tell anything about 1t who could
even guess what would be the result of the Fall
elections, The farmers enter into these, not be- |
cause they consider them important, but rather to
test the cohesive power of their organizations and
because they believe that they as well able to
caucus. If they fail to carry majority OF the coun
ties they will not be discouraged, believing that |
when members of Congress and the state Legisla-
ture come to be chosen next year they Will be better
able to unite their forces and bring out the votes VI
those who are in sympathy with them.