Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-15
THE GRANGE!
Ex-President johnson on the
Farmers'E1IOvement.

ferests to Pepetuate Republican
Governments.
| From the Knoxville Press and Herald.
GREENEvILLE, TENN, Jan. 10, 1874.
Spending few leisure hours In the
town of Greeneville, l concluded /
would pay my respects to ex-President
johnson, gentleman for whom have
always entertained a very high respect,
not only on account of his sterling
worth as a man, but on account of his
great abilities. 1t cannot be denied,
that he is to-day, enc of our greatest
living statesmen, and his distinguished
name viii be so recorded IN the annals
of history. No man, since the days of
George Washington, has made more
honorable record, and none have work
ed more assiduously and periodically
to save his suffering country from ruin.
By many, Mr.. johnson has never been
understood, and that class viii never
understand him until he is dead and
gone, when his noble deeds will shine
forth through the pages of AN impartial
history.
Ny object in visiting him was to
learn his views with regard to the Far
mers' Movement" which, as you are
aware, Is attracting, at the present mo-
ment, national attention, and assuming
proportions truly formidable.
Waiting upon him at his Office 1
found him absent, but Immediately re-
paired to his residence where had the
pleasure of meeting with him. He re-
ceived me, as he does every one, in the
most respectful manner and politely in
vited me into his family room. After
the usual interchange of salutations, l
informed him that l had called to see
him for the purpose of interviewing
him with regard to the grange move
ment. He assured me that he would,
with pleasure, give his views freely and
fully upon any and all questions iu-
volying the well being of so large and
respectable class as the farmers were
known to be. From Mr. Johnson's
past career, felt assured that all his
feelings and sympathies were with the
industrial classes-that he had strug-
gled through an eventful life, to ameli-
crate the condition of the hardy sons
VI IOl1, tllO llGl blClC hdS l1O
bic sacrifice he would not make to ele-
vate them In the scale of being. So
taking my seat, the colloquy was thus
introduced:
MIR. johnson, of course you are
somewhat familiar with the Farmers
movement or what is known as the
Patrons of Husbandry? From your
knowledge of this Order what do you
think of IT."
Mr.. Johnson-".I certainly approve
of its objects and aims so far as COM
prehend them. The farmers of the
United States have an undoubtedright,
and it becomes almost an imperative
duty, to combine for their mutual pro-
lection and to advance their agricul-
tural interests. If they willnot protect
themselves, unquestionably no other
class Will. IF other classes combine, as
they have done without solitary ex-
ception, why should they not? Can
they afford to fight the great battle of
life? Are they willing to risk it in
their isolated and scattered condition?
As they now stand they are helpless
victims of other combinations, and
must succumb to their overshadowing
power. By all means let them organ
lie from the Atlantic on the east to the
Rocky Mountains on the west, and
from the lakes on the north to the
Gulf of Mexico on the south"
what are your opinions, Mr.. John
son, of monopolies and their general
tendency upon the condition of the
country"
Mr. Jehnson--''In my message of
1866 1 used this language: Our gov
eminent springs from and was made
for the people-not the people for the
government. To them it owes its ale
glance; from them it must derive its
courage, strength and wisdom. But,
while the government is thus bound to
defer to the people, from whom it de-
rives its existence, 1t should, from the
very consideration Of its origin, be
strong in its power of resistance TO the
establishment OF inequalities. Monop-
olies, perpetmties and class legislation
are contrary to the genius of free gov
eminent, and ought not to. he allowed.
| Here there Is no room for favored
classes or monopolies: the principle of
our government is that of equal laws
and freedom of industry. Where
ever monopoly attsihs d feothold.
it is sure to be a source cot danger,
discord and trouble. We shall but full
fill our duties as legislators by accord
ing equal and exact justice to all men,
special privileges to none. The Gov
] -,,1,-.al-,,-.. =, -, .z1,,t,.
but as the agent of and representative
of the people, it must be held superior
to mOnopolies, which, in themselves,
ought never to be granted, ard which,
/! were they 10 exist, must be subordinate
and yield to the Government Such
were the views l expressed so far back
as 1866, when the grange movement
was not yet inaugurated, with regard
to mOnopolies, The same opinion l en-
terrain still: Mo+Cpolies are becoming
dangerous, and l could entertain no
other wish that the Patrons of Hus-
bandry may be entirely successful In
checking their further growth and ex-
pansion in our country. Rings are
emphatically the order of the day, and
patriotism demands that they should
be broken"
"Do you think, Mr.. johnson, that the
farmers Of the United States should
take any steps towards absolving them
selves from the present political parties
of the country, and think and act for
themselves and elect men from their
cwn ranks 70 represent then Ii the
Congress of the United States and in
the State Legislatures, or do you re-
gard it as the best policy for them to
risk their politicalfortunes in the hands
of the parties alluded to9"
Mr. JOhnsop-"When bad nien com
bine for corrupt and profigate pur-
poses, the time has arrived for the good
men of all parties to associate and
bring about such reform as the exigen-
cies of the country require. Mr.. Burke,
one of England's greatest statesmen,
advanced these ideas many years ago.
The idea is to draw good men, sound at
heart and patriotic In every fibre
and flament of their nature, from
all sources-from every class of men
who are not partizans in politics,
nor fanatics in religion. / understand
that the Farmers movement does
not propose to build up either democ-
racy, upon the one hand, nor repubh-
| 4ha n%bo,. h,,& 20 IL