Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-05-21
ILLINOIS FARMERS.

Decide to Enter the Political Arena.
The Advisory Committee of the State
Farmers Association of Illinois met at
Bloomington on Tuesday, May 5. Fifty
counties were represented. w. G. Flsgg
presided, and S. M. Smith acted as Sec
rotary. The forenoon was consumed in
general interchange of views between
the members of the convention relative
to taking political action during the
coming campaign in Illinois, which de-
velOped an almost unanimous sentiment
in favor of such Course.
At the afternoon session, after the re-
port of the Committee on Credentials
had been adopted, the President said
the question before the house ought to
be, "Shall the Farmers Association
take action in politics this year?"
Mr.. Huber, of Sangamon, moved that
the association take political action in
this coming campaign.
The motion of Huber, that political
action be taken this year, was put and
carried unanimously amid tremendous
enthusiasm.
Mr.. Boone, of 10 Daviess county,
read an extensive preamble declaring
want of faith in all political parties and
proposed resolution to the effect that
the Advisory Board of the State Farm
ers' Association call State convention,
to take political action, in the city of
Bloomington, May ~.
Mr.. Rector moved to amend by max
ing June 10 the date of meeting.
Mr.. s. M. Smith said that would give
them few days before the politicians
get together.
Mr.. Rector said he was not afraid of
the politicians, either before or after
their convention he was willing to
meet at any time that would suit the
purpose of the association, and at any
place where they might break the bonds
of the monopoists from the limbs of
the great State of Illinois. Loud ap-
plause.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, of Mclean, moved
an amendment to the amendment fixing
the date of the convention for June Is.
Mr.. Cossler, of Fulton, advocated the
10th of June as the date of the conven-
ton.
The latter date "wednesday, June 1O)
was, after much discussion, finally
adopted for the meeting of the State
convention.
Springfield was decided upon as the
place of meeting.
After long and animated discussion,
the basis of representation as laid down
In the Decatur platform-one delegate
to 1000 people-was adopted.
Prof. Turner introduced the follow
ing:
Resolved, That we repudiate the false prin-
ciple involved in the caucus system of the old
political parties we deny that majorities have
any moral or political right to control the per-
sonal opinions and Independent action of in
dividual citizens, except through duly enacted
law; we will send out from our convention
no sharks or branded voters-they shall go
party desires to gobble up our voters, as the
phrase goes, they must take them one at q
time and each one by himself.
Prof. Turner made a strong speech in
support of his resolution, in the course
of which he said that the Republican
party down in Bloomington was lost for
want of decent opposition. At it was,
that great party had for years been OPP
posed only by hungry pack of jack
asses, who followed in its track and
lickedupits leavings. Loud applause. ]
He did not want to revive that party, or
any other. party whatever, except the
party of the people, the party that was
against monopoly. The resolution was,
on motion, laid on the table by large
majority.
An evening session was held, at which
Miss Clara Norris lectured for an hour
on the Iron Master" and was heartily
applauded.
The committee to whom the arrange
ment of the State Convention was re-
ferred made the following report, which
was adopted:
The farmers, mechanics and other laborine
men, as well as other citizens Of Illinois who
believe as declared by the State Farmers As.
ISOLATION at Decatur, on the 18th day of De-
cember. 1873, that, through the departure
from the primary principles of our Govern.
ment, as promulgated by the founders there.
of, and through the improvideLt exercise OF
that highest prerogative of the freeman, the
right of voting, the farmers of Illinois, as vel
as the other industrial classes, have by pasi
action acquiesced in system of class legis
lation which makes the great majority slavishly
subservient to small majority that this
condition is clearly traceable to the fostering
protection which has been accorded by oul
legislative bodies both State and national, t.
the financial, mechanical, manufacturing ant
transporting interests, enabling them tx
accumulate an undue proportion of the ma
tional wealth, and encouraging them in tn.
exercise of the corrupting influences which
have become associated with our leglslativ,
system; that the preservation of our nationa
life unfortunately, demands that all American
voters shall attend with care all primary nomi
nations and elections, SO as to insure the cleo
ton of competent and honest men to al
offices in the gift of the people; that the re
cent record of the old political parties of thi
country is such as to forfeit the confidence
| and respect of the people, and that we are
, therefore, freed from all allegiance to them
and should act no longer with them. and coun
ties are hereby invited to send delegates il
the proportion of one delegate to every 100
inhabitants and fractions exceeding half tina
number under the census of 1870, to con
vention to be held at the State House in Spring
field, on Wednesday, the 10th day of june, a
10 a. m, for the. purpose of nominating can
, didates for State Treasurer and Superintend
emit of Public Instruction, and the TRANSACTION
of such other business as may be brought be
fore the convention.
: In each county where a County Farmer
Association exists, the President of such al
ISOLATION is requested to Immediately call
3 County Convention of delegates from th
: