The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-10-16


foremost industry is agricultural. 1t has
always been such. II will be for gener-
ations to come. We have soil almost
limitless in extent and equally bound
less in fertility. Nature has decreed
that we shall be for many years an agri-
cultural people. 1t is notable fact that
while the farmer has always held the
control Of the Government in his right
hand, he has never exercised it. He has
never been represented in the lobbies of
our Congress, and scarcely ever has he
been seen in the Congressional chambers.
But he has constantly been the victim of
the laws Of Congress. Every lobby in the
National Capitol has been hostile to the
interests Of the farmer. Not one has
been there in his favor. Having no part
in the making of the law, it is not strange
that the law has never been manufac-
tured in the interest of the farmer. The
owner of the soil, the man on whose land
and whose labor all our material pros
perity is built, has recently, and for the
first time, appeared in our National pol
itics. His interests are of foremost i'm
portance in our public economy. They
ought first to he considered by our law
making power. The tendency toward
factions, toward Onions" toward
Granger Associations, toward the ad-
vancement of special classes at the ex-
pense Of others, toward the division of
our people into quarreling cliques, is one
to be regretted. But the fact is not so
much to be regretted as the cause Of it.
The farmer has put in an appearance
in our politics. The tillers of the soil
are organizing in their own interests.
Their separate organizations will prove
futile, and, for the most part, they do
not attempt to make their action politi-
cal. The Changers are, and apparently
intend to be, in position to act with
that party which most nearly conforms to
their desires, and which most closely
clings 10 their interests. In some Of the
Western States the agricultural impulse
and farmers grievances have temporarily
disturbed party lines In those locali-
ties it is noticeable that the unfettered
declarations Of the farmer are in favor of
free trade, cheap money and cheap trans
portation. 1t would be difficult to find
any confession of faith on his part, more
or less, than this. The Republican party
in Ohio, the Republican party every
where, antagonizes the interests Of the
farmer in each of these particulars. 1t
breaches protection, the chief foe Of the
farmer. 1t advocates dear money and
contraction, which have been year by
year shutting in ON the farmer with ap-
palling mercilessness, 1t advocates the
National Banks, which takes twenty
millions Of dollars annually from the
pockets of the people, chiefly from the
farmers without consideration. Though
the aim of the Grangers is not primarily
political, but industrial and selfprotect-
i've, there can DC no doubt that the
Changers know their friends. The farm
er holds the political power in this coun-
try. He will act in his own interests AS
he ought to. II would be folly for him
to attempt to form National party of
farmers and TO secure the things he de
sired by that method for neither car
penters, nor shoemakers, nor masons, nor
farmers, can form party of themselves.
But he will act with that party which
most nearly conforms to his wishes. His
hope is, his mission now is, his recourse
is, to 50 far show his strength II. to mold
the action of one of the great parties in
accordance with his interests. The Dem
ocratic party needs little molfing. The
preference of the farmers isnot in doubt.