The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-06-21
COLUMBIA, s. G:
Saturday Morning. June 81. 1873.
The Farmor.' Movement.

SATURDAY morning, June II. 1879.
The Fermors' Movement.
There is deep significance in the
farmers movement. begun in the West,
and which is spreading throughont the
South, and promises to become general.
It imports realization upon the part of
the great producing masses, tha. while
they have been trusting public affairs to
the politicians, they have been sold out;
and purpose on their part to enjoin the
delivery of the property. In other words.
the movement means that the people Of
the country have opened their eyes to
the strides which those holding official
sway have been making toward central
ism and despotism, and that they have
determined to call halt. It is protest
against corruption, usrspa.ion and dis
regard of constitutional obligation upon
the part OF those in authority. 1t is the
people rising in rebellion against mono
polies-:he nasses moving TO soyes the
chains which have been; silently drawn
about them, in the shape OF special mo-
nopolistic privileges during these later
years. .,l
Though it is non-partisan in its con.
fession OF faith-that is to say, though
it assumes the name Of no political
parsy-yet it is substantially the old
fashioned, Simon pure, genuine article of
Democracy assertion Of the right OF
the people to regulate their own affairs in
their own way, subject only to the Consti.
tuition; denial Of the right OF Congress
or of the State Legislature to transfer
the rights and liberties OF the many to
the few banded together as incorporated
companies. II theser obiscss be kept
steadily in view, and the movement kept
>in proper hands and within proper
bounds, it will work arestoration OF the
supremacy Of the Constitution, which
means the supremacy OF the people.
There are many dangers to be guarded
against. Exoesses and extremes must be
avoided; the counsels OF impracticable,
rash men, who will aspire to lead, must
be disregarded; In applying antidotes for
one poison, another must not be injected
into the body polite. Liberty does not
mean license. In denying the validity
of unconstitutional legislation, care must
be taken to enforce respect and obedi-
ence to oil properly enacted laws till
regularly repealed. The leadership must
be kept ous of the hands OF political
bummers and broken-dowh party hacks.
There should be no secrets connected
with the movement. In. republican
government, that which cannot stand
the light Of day, aud free and full discu.-
sion, has not merit. All the people
have right to know all abont any move
ment relating to public affairs. Secret
political organizations are: prone to be-
come narrow. dogmatio, proscrip!ive.
vicious. and corrupt. rrioksters and bad
men will get control. We caution the
laboring masses, the producers of all our
wealth, the f. - ers and mechanics OF the
country, Will 81 lizing for the rrotec-
ton OF thei. ;ghts against despotism
and oppression, to avoid the pitfalls
above pointed out. Move cautiously,
move altogether, move with determines
tion; bnt move openly. Proclaim your
purposes upon the house.top. and carry
your motto at the front.