Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-07-15
The Great Up Rising of the Farmers of the
West


The Great Up Rising of the Farmers of the
West.
The Prairie Farmer, of Chicago, the great
and influential organ of the agricultural interests
in the Northwest, has the following article on
the great uprising of the farmers of Illinois. -
From all accounts, this movement bids fair to
embrace the mass Of the farming population,
and to introduce new, controlling, and whole
some element into the politics of the country.
Our people of Virginia, who have been scourg-
ed as never people were, are athirst for in
formation, and are looking eagerly for some
missionary, who will teach them how they may
profit by this expedient for deliverance:
from the Prairie Farmer, 28th 1881
THE TRUE CHARACTER OF THE MOVEMENT.
It would seem that the momentum secured to
the farmers movement in the winter and
spring is to be sufficient to keep it in active mo-
ton until the more leisure season of fall and
winter. Contrary to the predictions of the on
position, and Of those of little faith, the
meetings, discussions and writings, as well
as the work of spreading the organization, con-
tinue undated during the months usually de-
voted to active farm labor alone. A crowning
impetus, is to be given on Independence Day.
Brain and muscle are working together this
year 10 a way and to an extent that they never
before worked in the history of farm life in this
or any other country. To doubt the good re-
suit is to deny the benefit of thought, Of intelli-
gence, Of social and Intellectual intercourse of
contact Of minds occupied with like questions
and governed by kindred interests. Those who
profess to look upon this great uprising as an
exhibition Of numbers and brute force merely.
and who see in il but the threatening of storm
that is to overturn existing Institutions, dis.
organize society and play havoc with the finan-
cial and political condition of the country. have
but feeble comprehension of the causes which
have given rice to it, or little knowledge of the
intelligence Of the better half of the people of
the nation and exhibit sad want of faith in
their patriotism and honesty of purpose. Tito
attempt to increase the intellectual power of
the masses, to develop business capacity and
independence, to multiply the pleasures and
benefits of higher social life. to right gigantic
wrongs and secure exact justice to all men, to
rebuke and root out corruption in political life
to rid the nation of its drones and secure Just
reward to labor and only Just tribute to cant
tai, is to bring these dire results, then is the
movement delusion and snare. But until
the laws of the universe lose their INN Inability
this cannot be the case.
As in every reform movement that takes hold
upon the masses there will be connected with
it unbalanced, fiery spirits that would counsel
rash and upjustifable acts under the honest
but pernicious belief that the end would justify
the means but the great mass of the farmers.
the descendants of the early fathers of the re-
public, educated In our common schools, which
We have as nation always looked up to with
pride and reverence, and from infancy trained
up In habits of economy and industry under the
teachings of the Christian religions class from
whose healthful ODDLY and mentality ranks
the business and professional intellect of the
cities has yearly been recruited-are wise and
moderate and true
We call for an examination Of the record of
their deliberations, as the press has set them
forth, in their meetings during the past few
months to their resolutions and speeches, and
to their daily walk and conversation, in proof
of this assertion. 1t is by and through courts
and legislative bodies that they expect relief
and claim reform. Nothing but that madness
and blindness that precedes destruction, In the
opposition, can precpitate any other revolution
upon the transportation or any other cues
ton.
The approaching Fourth of July celebrations
will furnish an overwhelming demonstration of
the dignity, the nobility the intelligence the
charitableness. the sobriety, and yet the deter
mination of those who participate. We ask a
careful study of the proceedings on that day by
the timid, the scofers asd doubters as we'll as
by those whose narrow vision has not yet taken
In this new movement as one ofthe vital, living
powers of the day. From them they may learn
much, and 10 them fod food for reflection that
will be at once interesting and profitable.
FATHER RYAN ON THE New ORLEANS
MOVEMENT. Father Ryan, the Southern poet,
and editor of the Catholic Messenger at New
Orleans, enters an earnest protest against the
action Of General Beauregard 10 the formation
OF the new compromise party in that State
Father Ryan says:
we protest against that meeting in so far a.
1t might pretend to represent a sentiment no. |
yohd tnat heid ~ very small fraction of
cou'hern men. we protest against the resolu- |
tion as complete surrender OF everything into |
the hands OF those who have PLAYED unon tbo
Ignorance OF the colored people and have nrav-
ed upon our rights. We protest against its re-.
commentators as tending to make worse the |
very condition OF affairs which they pretended to
peter. we protest against its policy as accent |
ing principles which are completely anti-South |
ern. And were We the only man in our besnti. |
ful but oppressed country to oppose the shirt
and intentions of the new movement against all |
Others, and were it our last word, we wonld |
oravely record it in protest. But we are not
alone The almost universal sentiment of the
South re-echoes our protest.
4heee are hfieen narrow gauge railroads in
operation IN the United States. with An aGora-
gate length of 4743 miles. ~99-
A minister walked six miles to marry q oo,
pie lately. lie said he felt sort of fee- hin lke
The groom saw il. Ae'
Mrs. King, wife of James King, near X nov.
vile, Tenn, died from spider bite last week.