Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-07-17
Patrons Of III luxb u n dry.


This organization has already done
considerable towards rcvolwionizing
politics. Its expressed aim is to foster
the interests Of those who till the
soil. Incidental to :his, and inscpara-
bly, connected with it, is tho admins
tration Of local and general govern
mcnt. Theoretically We arc the frcccst
people on the tacc d! the globe. Our
civil charter distributes both the pow
ers and the obi cations Of organized
society in such manner US to make
them the most beneficial and the least
burdensomc.
The people have no cause TO COM
plain Of our theory cf government
their wrongs are the result Of NAL
administration, which is tho fault, first,
Of officers, and second Of constituent
cies, more largely Of the latter, because
the former arc kept in position by the
power Of votes. Abuses in our sys
tenn are corrected or pcrpctuated, Us
the case may be, through the ballot
Dor. Newspapers may asitate !; pub
liz meetings discuss and secret organ
izations plan but votes determine the
character and value Of the government
It is therefore lido for Patrons to say
that Oranges are non political organi.
cations. If members VI the order
would accomplish anything to their
advantage, they must, as CITIZENS,
discharge the full measure Of their
duty. To do this, it may not be ncces-
sary to break oil political lines, or to
form new alliances.
The Republican party, as an expo
ncnt Of our theory Of government, is
good enough. Its platforms Of princi-
pies co'er every interest ami every
condition Of the people; the trouble
il, the administration is bad. Our po-
litical faith, as expressed, is sound ;
but our l'rar''cc don't agre" with our
preaching. What is the remedy? 1t
cannot be the formation Of a new party,
because We cannot make a better one
than we have. We must rcorya"'=e
our forces and rc-cfficer them. Iii
shall be found, after the State Conven-
ton, that nominations have been dc
tated by influences which are hostile
to the industries Of the State, aud made
to subscrve the interests Of capital aud
cliques, it will be no less the duty than
the right Of citizens, to ignore the
action Of WIRE workers, and to place
a ticket in the field that will command
the respect Of all good men, and excite
the fear of bad ones.
We have worshippcd NAME too
long. We want character.
AS q nation, we have been " sold to
the highest bidder" at least a half
dozen times, since Lincoln was MUIR
dcred, and even now, in our own State,
the work Of purchasing positions is
being done with hands never soiled by
honest labor.
Sons of toll :! will you look disinter-
estedly upon such oatragcs, and not
even raise your votce against them !:
If this work goes on it will not be
long ere the strength Of your o"n right
arm must do with the sword, what can
not be peacefully accomplished by the
ballot.
Farmers are not a lone interested. in
this work. E0ery man ,cho lobors
honestly, in some legitimate calling,
needs protection against prevalent
,crongs and every theory Of reform
must be sufficiently flexible to adjust
itself to the wants of each individual
class.
It's true that the soil is the great
source of allindustry but in point
of merit there is no distinction between
the men who drive the plow, and those
who make it. There can never be any
antagouism Of interests between those
who actually and earnestly work. The
war exists between labor, and those
who attempt to control it. Since the
abolition Of slavery-and consequently
Of the ownership Of labor-there has
been a growing tendency to subjugate
the working men, Of all classes, to the
dictation of capital, as an equiv alent
for the lost inheritance" Against
such a consummaticn, it is tho duty Of
every true man to strive. No matter
in what form we may meet it, our o.
position should be instant and unceas-
ing.
NJ absolute control should be
aimed at by any. No one interest
should be fostered at the expense OF
all others. What We most need, to.
day, is REGULATION, not control !; just
competition not discrimination in ia.
vor Of that which can always take
care Of itself. 1t is upon this broad
platform Of equal rights, that the re-
former of to-day, must plant his feet
if he expects to stand, and this princi
pie must rule in politics as we'll as in
ordinary business. :.
We hope, therefore, and expect t.
see the people, without distinction 9
calling, moving carefully and intelligent
~ in such direction as they may united
" choose for the advancement of tn
best interests of the whole country. l
this be within the lines Of old part,
organizations, we shall be glad, and i
it diverge so widely from the time
worn track of politlcians,-not Of prin