, 1874-02-16

m ~ ~ X-D2AL4EAtA VI{SAk1XItAUn3
Tho answer OF every good Granger will bs.
emphatically, No; aud am almost certain that,
when 10 answering. oacl ono foels convinced
iu his own mind tlat he speaks tho truth; at
loaut llo feels tint 1t ought not to bo. Now I
propose to answer
IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
and to give the reasons why. Nor is 1t any fault
finding or hyporortical spirit which prompts my
denial Of tho drangor-farmor's nnswor. On the
other hand, although no partisan myself and
having no dosise for Office whntevor, with no
prodilectious in favor Of either Of tho old
political parties, with both Of which I
hsvo Voted, it Is, in. my opinion, ono
great movement Tint tho farrnors aro giving @ po-
litical questions such discussion as WAS mover
known before.
It in first necessity to every industry that tho
Government under which it il conducted shall
sT.nLE, EQUITABLE, AND ECONOMICAL.
Whatever itB form. whether monarchical or re-
publican, these conditions must DO observed to
Insure general prosperity. In tue monarchical
governments, tue intelligence and entorpriHo Of
iocts tic amplcst security to lie aud properly,
und afford eyory advantage for the promotion Of
their blsnosy intoroBtB, This las not beon tho
rulo Of their action, however, according to his
tory, md wo note O. manifest Opposition In NIL
parts Of the world to adopt. Us fast as possible,
tho republican system.
In theory, our Government Ia probably
MonE NEARLY PERFECT
than any over before established. It presumes
TINT tho people arc tho rulers, expressing thoir
will through tho ballot-box, and intruating itH
execution to officers Of their own choosing. It
naturally presuppoBeB that the epeople themselves
nro competent to think and vote intolligently
upon all public questions. Upon such aup-
position, 1t certainly cannot he intended to ac-
knowledge their officers aH, in any aonro, rulors
or leaders. In tho discussion and decision Of all
questionH they net only as the representatives
Of constituency, giving expression to it's views,
and ncting in accordance with its instructions.
While the theory is oil right. we all recognize
HOW FAR FROM PERFECT
is tho practice. ThopreBupposed intelligence is,
in great degreo, wanting BY largo majority of
tho voters. Questions Of tinanco, of taxatiop Of
revenue, Of commerce, are discussed upon the
superficial marnor, anl almost invariably with{a
Wow to mystifying tho populace. In too many
cascs, appeals to personal or PARTISAN prejudieos
aro made to substitute legitimate argument
aud, intlood,, experience has proved that
aaoh peaa avs Geen most a eefsiso
tho chioE ond Of tho speakers. Tho people have
gencra1ly been divided into two parties, nearly
enough equal in strength TO nalo the contests
exciting. party-Bpitit haa run high, aud those
~
victory for tho party haye beeu rewarled In iho
diyisiou of tic snoilB. Being recognized as
nartv-leaiers. thoy have naturally assuuaol to bo
tIn iictntora Of public policy: aud their ag-
aumptinus have been 10 long recognized aB lc-
gitimRto aud just, that they can almost claim
tho outhority by virtue OF established custom.
lint coutrn]izod powor
EyESruALLy BECOMES oppnEss1yE:
tho inauconta for itB abuse arc so manifold, that
weak. human nature Cannot withstand teupta-
tion: and no hayo seen these abuses growing in
nlsIIieence @ % - has ~ bcon . steadily ] W Advancing
through tho developing agencies Of tho psoas
ami tic common school, Under auch ci,cuul-
stnpcoy. q conflict batVeen tho politicianH who
hayo been leading, and tho pooplo WHO laye
foudly iat:erod themselves that thoy woro tho
ruling power, must be, sooner or lator inevita-
ble The contest ia fairly begun. lilo peope
ara becoming arouaod 10 u coalproheuaiou Of
their roal wenknosa and are struggling to FREQ
themselves from tho cllaiua which hive beon
riyeted upou them by their own suIToranco.
It IL under Bcl, coutltions that tho Grange, In
common with othor forms Of organization, has
1nado Its rapid growth, The necessity for COM
bipatIoi. and oo-oporaton as ngninst the central
lied power OF wealth has forced every man into
aomo organization, mud the Grange, having best
proyisioil for aolf-extanaion, hns mado
MOST WONDERFUL GROWTH.
To claim that 1t in not political III spirit, ID to
deuy tho sourcea Of its oxistonce, It has matn
most rapId growth iu tho South, whore the polit-
icul iilea Ii upper1nost In tho thoughts Of tho
people; whore foalty to party is almost US poei-
tive as foalty to the church OF ones ohoico |;