Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-03-04

,lOlS. utlE VIEWS vi Nli!S N4AoH
Of questions may he as yet n little
crude f; but they are the right trail,
and more mature reflection aud
further discussion will ultimately
give them the reward which awaits
all sincere, paIient searchers alter
truth.
The agricultural population, or
to use an English phrase, the land
ed interest of this country, has
always been the sheet anchor OF
orr free institutions. 1t holds a
different position, in many respects
from the mechanics and laboring
manufacturings of our populous
towns. Besides the superior health
mess of outdoor employments
amid the beautiful scenery OF
nature. and the variety Of occupa-
lions which come with the chang
ing seasons, they have, for the
most part, in this country, the
great advantage of being their own
EMPLOYERS, which nourishes q just
pride of manly independence. The
consequence was that until the
slavery agitation arose and swallow
cd up all other public questions,
the agricultural class or landed
interests were the board and firm
support of the Democratic party.
The first divisions of parties under
our Government was between a
moneyed interests created by
Hamilton, and the agricultural
interest represented 10y Jefferson.
Hamiltou's influence was eXeited
To create a national bank, a great
funding system, and protected
manufacturing interest. These
were his great measures. Hls
plan was to strengthen the central
authority by establishing great
network of associated interests
dependent upon the Federal Gov
eramcnt, having tic common Tea
ture Of requiring large amounts
of concentrated capital to carry
them on. Jefferson, bis great an
tagouist and rival, looked to the
+ welfare Of the MASSES of the people
whom capitalists and the moneyed
interests thrive by fleeing; and
lis political system and Hamilton's
came in collision a conflict be-
tween privilege aud monopoly
favored by the General Govern
nent on one side, and the right OF
the people to the full fruits OF
their own industry on the other.
In this conflict, each side had its
advantages. Monopoly and the
concentrated moneyed Interests
were strong hy their great facilities
for intercourse and acting in con-
cert. They could devise their
plans in secret and bring their
combined influence TO bear upon
Congress and officers of the Gov
elument. On the other hand, the
the agricultural masses were strong
in mere numbers, but they were
so scattered and so distant from
the centres of Intelligence that
they could neither get prompt in
formation of the intiigues of their
adversarics, nor easily couscntrate
their in lucnce to foil them. The
moneycd influence was strong &c
contIole the Government Gf'er Is
officers were elected and assembled
but the agricultural interests was
strong only for controlling the cleo
ton; and when privilege and mo.
uopoly had got the sanction o.
laws aud become vested rights, /
was not in the power Of election
to Immediately undo the mischief.
The sagacious leaders Of tn
Democratic party adapted thci
tactics to this state Of things
They established and maintained
rigorous party diScjp.in, Ivy whir'
the Whole organization move
with the unity and precision of a
army. 1t was in virtue of snc
discipline that monopoly was d'
, featcd and cvcrthiowD ; and Il
!. future experience will prove as q
t past experience has proved, th'
II there is no other means Ivy whit
n the scattered sons Of toll can mai
/; tain their ground against the co
II centrated wealth which has sue
e easy facilities for controlil
IS the Government in their on
Is interest by coirupting or cajolil
Ie its members.
20 The slavery controversy and I
n war broke this unity of agricult
m raj masses, and monopoly has nc
is er made such gigantic and alar
in ing strides as since the Democra
party was shattered in the agricu
ul.al regions which were the strol
. holds of it's influence. But
farmers are now coming ba'
or though in a peculiar and circuitC
n path to a just sense of the bro
nj distinction between their intere
,r- and those of associated veal
ry seeking to gain undue advanta!
is though partial legislation. i
los conflict between the cOncentra
its moneyed interests aad the seat,
six ed agricultural interest will he
av enduring as the principals OF
ms mln nature and though it may
of temporarily ohscurcd by gi
nd gusts of popular passion on s
h iccts unconnectcd with the Pc
,m mary interests of the contcstal