The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-06-04
Let Us Reason Together.


tial occupation of men. Raising the
dignity of agricultural labor, the g;
ing of greater intelligence to the ope.
alton of the farm and the development
of broader culture among farmers,
through the grange and other organi-
cations docs not mean war upon
other occupations or the fostering of
class prcjudices. In our efforts for inn
rrovcment aud progress in our duties
as farmers and as citizens, in business
and social relations, care is demanded
that the success which has so largely
attended our efforts should not mislead
us into war upon other interests as
vital to the welfare and prosperity of
a whole people as our own. We are
aware that at this time there are many
dcmagogues upon whose fierce and
bitter prejudices there is no restraint
and this class will find willing listeners
to applaud the widest utopian theo-
ries for the reorganization of society.
In a time like this, the excitement of
success and the discussion Of new plans
for the management of business, So
ciety, church and state, unsettle mo-
mentarly the better judgment Of
many. There are in this movement of
ours, as in all other strong upheavals
among people, nell who assume to
Lead, who test every mans faithfulness
to the new movement by the length
and strength Of his howl for radical
changes. With such leaders all past
human experience is of little account.
Their own claim for leadership rests
upon their loud professions and radical
upturning of established usages.
There are many changes demanded
in our business and political affairs, we
believe. but let us keep our upper sto-
RIGS were they belong and apply that
sterling common sense which may be
said to be the strongest characteristic
of American farmers, to all the wild,
vague schemes of change, which are
suggested to us for adoption. The
people mean what is right and fair and
just, and we have full faith that their
Judgment will not in the end be impos-
ed on.
The movement in one year has grown
from a slight organization to one of
great strength and power in our state.
To-day, the trucst friends should urge
moderation and calmness in the use of
this power. The power does not want
to become an engine Of destruction but
one to be used in building up and fos
tering our own interests.
II mast be remembered that in THE
great republic of ours the people have
the power if they wish to use it, that
the great men and the wealthy, for the
most part, are the sons of poor labor
ing men and women, that the success
full men in all walks of life in this
country are very largely the sons of
farmers, and so it will be in the future.
The sympathy for and with this
movement throughout the country is
one that comes of close relationship,
and the men i'm all professions and bus
mess callings wish it a hearty success.
Upon this phase Of the movement
which we believe to be rs true of it to-
day, as Il year ago, we said:
The contest is not and should not
be, as | understand it, an aggressive or
proscriptivc movement, but a defensive
one. We organizc-for what ? Not to
attack. but to defend. Not TO tear
down, but to build up our own; not
to rush into fight to destroy some
class or classes who have taken advan-
tage of our want of organization, but |
to organize as they have. Standing
singly and alone we are at the mercy
of every profession among men, weak |
because no defense has been made, the |
common servants because we have |
never before presumed ta know the /,
position of master. Agriculture has |
arisen from feudal times when the la
bar was all done by slaves. to an honor
able occupation where the highest skill |
and the best business talent may find |
ample scope. The advance has been
slow, but, to-day, the agricultural
and practices of the best farmers, in |
vention supplying the art with the
most improved labor-saving imple-
ments, and science in the application
of new principles and facts is making |
giant strides. To meet such progress |
there is broader culture and more |
thorough education demanded. We |
may listen to. blatant place hunters !
telling us We are soyereisns, but never |
SO long as the earth turns round will |
numerical strength take the place of |
brains. Better educated farmers will |
command not only greater respect for
themselves, but as business men take |
from our calling the slur that we are
unable TO accomplish anything in this
movement, because we are not business
men. 1t is not for this generation of
men TO make all these changes, but the
boys who are now growing up, who
are 10 be farmers of Kansas, must be
taught that the field for honorable dis
tinction is as broad in agriculture as
elsewhere '-Earmer.
The national grange, at its last ses-