New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-09
THE FARMERS WAR.


rxnvpp,n,,Sr ACTION NOT CONTEMPLATED BEFORE
THY xrnrcTAI EIECTIoNs-FARMERs TICKETS TO
ny prrS THIS FAII,-THE NEW DECLARATION OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN THE WAY OF THE
ANu-MoNOPoLY PARTY-THE FALL ELECTIONS
IN TI,sr ITS COHESIVE STRENGTH.
tyRoM TIE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THR TRIBUsE.l
GALRsBuRG, ILL.,, July 27.-The object of the
Farmers Convention held at Kewanee last October
rs set forth in its resolutions ito devise some
means or system of means TO cheaper the process OF
uroduction and lessen the expense of transporta-
tion" and as far as can learn, the plan there pro
posed was rather one of cooperation than pohucal
action. The Bloomington Convention went step
further and not only called upon the Legislative
and Executive Departments of the State Govern
ment TO do certain things, but adopted, among
others the following resolution
That the power Of this and all local ORGANIZATIONS
should he welded at the baotbox by the election So
all offices the highest TO the lowest, legslaVe
executive and udicaD OF such and only s9ch persons
ae DO that there Is rightfu remedy for this wrong
and that and must be enforced And TO TINS e9n
we pledge votes at al elections where they VIII
have a bearing against the wrong IN question:
Even here, it will be seen, no independent party
actiOn seems to have been contemplated Inc Pur-
pose of the Convention was, rather to exert an III
Huence within the parties already organized ana
Tins secure the nomination and election of men who
were in sympathy with the farmers. Both at
Bloomington and at Springfield, where the FARMERS
again met in the Spring opposition TO railroad extor
ton and different plans for securing cheap trans
portaton were almost the only topics discussed
Then followed the judicial elections The opposition
10 judge Lawrence did not arise in the State
Association, some of its most influential members
and officers. among the latter Mr.. S. NJ Smith. its
Secretary. having been opposed to the nomination
Of any other candidate 1t originated in the Bureau
County Farmers Club and the call for the Conven-
ton which nominated Judge Craig came from that
club The success of that campaign and the full
realization of the farmers, probably for the hrst
tmei the history of the movement, that the pohtl-
cal future of the State lay entirely within their con-
troll seems to have marked the birth of what may De
called the party movement. Since that election
has apparently developed with marvellous rapdity
and the county elections this Fail, are expected by
is friends TO demonstrate to the country that the
farmers of this State have broken away from all old
party ties and are not only able but determined to
,ake the political machinery OF the State into their
bwn hands.
TILE FARMERS DEMANDING INDEPENDENT TICKETS
THIS FALL
How far their hopes are well grounded / am I'M
,be to saw While at Kewanee, Mr.. Smith kindly
rave me access to his official correspondence which
,mbraoes letters from almost if not quite every
sounty in the State great number of the writers,
including should think, as many who were, year
AGO. active members of the Grant Republican party
as of the opposition represent the farmers of their
vicinity as not only willing but anxious to go into
the Fall canvass with independent tickets. In
many of the counties the farmers associations have
issued calls for nominating conventions and have
not heard Of single instance where Republican
members have threatened to bolt. The Democratic
party of this State is You know, one OF the things
of the past. In very few if any, of the counties
have its old managers shown disposition 10
call conventions of their own, and the present lndi-
cations are that the struggle win be square one
between the old Republican organization and the
new Farmers antMonopoly party. 1t must not be
supposed that the Republican managers, office
holders and professional politicians viii allow
themselves TO be defeated without great struggle.
In every county they will hold their own conven-
tions nominate candidates with view TO catch the
farmers votes and resolve themselves to be the only
anti-monOpoly farmers rights party in the field.
They win use all the old arguments to keep their
party organization intact and their ranks unbroken
and will attempt TO brighten the farmers by telling
them that to seek relief outside of the Administra-
ton fold will only result in eleyating to Office lot
of Democrats and Liberals
THE JUDICIAL ELECTIONS THE FIRST IMPULSE OF
THE NEW MOVEMENT.
have said in previous letter, that the vote for
Judge Craig must not be taken as indicating the
strength of the new party IN the counties COM
DOSING the With District. That contest was per-
sona one between the bar of the district on the one
side and the farmers who felt insulted by the tone
Of Judge Lawrences letter accepting the nomina-
ton of the bar on the other The machinery of the
Republican party was not used in Judge Lawrence's
favor except in a few local instances, and the oppo
sitiOn press of the State often found on his
side as against him. The campaign conducted
in such shape that Republican could vote either
for or against Judge Lawrence without having his
allegiance to party questioned. This will not be the
this FAN, except where the Republicans and the
Farmers nominate the same men, and then there
will be no contest over their election.
But though the Farmers Movement did not pre-
vious to the judicial election seem to contemplate
The formation of new party, since that time its
whole tendency has been in that direction, and /
know of no more striking sign of its popularity
among the people than the enthusiasm with which
the Farmers Declaration of Independence" was
received by them wherever it was read the Fourth
of July all over the State. As have not seen this
document printed in full in any of the Eastern news
papers venture to quote its last paragraphs simply
remarking that the sentiments expressed in them
were not dissented from, even where the audiences
20 whom they were read were two-thirds, and in
some cases three-fOurths Republicans.
THE FARMERS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
After enumerating the wrongs which the farmers
nave suffered, the Declaration closes as follows:
In every stage OF these expressions we have peti.
oned our Legislatures for redress in the most humble
eTs Our repeated petitions have been answered onlv
by silence by attempts TO frame laws n ar shan SEN
re In fact np1v