The Grange advance., 1874-03-25

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paper printed at Moline, ILL.,, where are.
located three Of the largest plows manu-.
factories Of the Unittd States, which.
contains lengthy defense of, or rather
IN apology for the offensive resolution
Of the plow manufacturers, and We take
it that the article emenates from them
and is reflection Of their sentiments.
The article is couched in respectful
language, gives very fair statement of
the grounds Of objection taken by the
farmers, and then follow the reasons
which influenced them to pass the
resolution. We think that the article
shows that they feel that their action
was hasty and imprudent. Had they
made the statements and showed the
courtesy to the farmers at the time of
passing the resolution that is contained
in this article, and couched their reso-
luton in respectful language, they
would not now have Been compelled to
to mourn their occupation lost. That
the power of the farmer is felt, is very
evident, and in this one thing, coming
from those who have foolishly placed
themselves in opposition to the farmers,
is contained more encouragement than
volumes Of praise coming, from
friends No thanks to the manufactur-
ers for this. We long since learned
from scripture, that the " "devils believe
and tremble.".
Reading the article has had the effect
Of convincing us that the eastern manu-
tacturers are ten thousand times more
to blame for the expressions suffered by
the farmers than are any of our home
dealers. They say that the system of
the Patrons will tend to break down the
towns and villages of the west. This
would be true if the Patrons we're fool
lsh enough to favor foreign in preference
to home manufactures. They overlook
the fact that the farmers are uniting
everywhere to build up mills and manu-
factories in their midst, and are every-
where inviting and encouraging home
manufactures, making it one of their
guiding principles that the way to REM
edy their evils is to bring the producer
and consumer together The article
argues that agents or middle men
are necessity. The farmers have never
denied the necessity of agents under the
present system of buying everything
that we want in the East, instead of man
ufacturing at convenient points where
the manufacturers can be reached and
dealt with directly by the consumer.
The only question raised by the farmers
is whether these agents shall be the
agents of the manufacturers to squeeze
the highest possible price for their goods
out of the farmers, or whether they shall
be the agents of the farmers to buy the
articles needed by the farmer at the low
est possible figure, or at least the honest
agent Of both parties to make fair in.
terchange and to receive just compen.
sation therefor. The cash system is
highly commended in the article. And
on this question there is no doubt but
that the true grounds are taken no
doubt but that it has been the great
source of evil, and the sooner that it ia
abolished the better for all classes. The
article recognizes that the farmer has
wrongs, and claims that the action of the
manufacturers was intended for only one
year.
Believing that it is better for all to
read both sides Away, We give below
s1ch portions of the article referred to
a our space will permit.
THE FARMERS STATEMENT.
"Here ore twenty OF thirty firms, who
supply nine-tenths of the plowe and cultiva.
tors Of the West and South, banded toeeth-
or in one huge monopoly to keen nm nrioea
and squeeze the last cent out Of the farm.
er for the benefit Of themselves And the;r
parasites, the middlemen. When Va told
than that WA nronoaed fa h.:.. - ~