Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-04-16
Farmers Clubs and Changers.

III. C.. Baichly writes from Prairie
City, ILL.,, to the Industrial Age:
cit is evident that the original con-
ception of the Patrons of Husbandry
did not contemplate political element !;
at any rate, not in the sense of a COM
pact and distinct party. Hence, it is
doubtless best to exclude the discussion
of political topics from their councils,
lest it might very much impair their
usefulness, and destroy that harmony,
fellowship and good will that prevail,
or ought to prevail, in their social gath
erings.
"There are so many, and such varied
and diversified, questions connected
with politics, that men naturally differ
very much in their views, and the dis
cussion of such topics sometimes leads
into heated and acrimonious dissen-
sions,a thing very disastrous, especially
in social gatherings. Yet it ought not
to be inferred from this that Changers
should not discuss politics at all, nor
take political action, under any circum-
stances, or at any time. But on the
contrary, they ought to take more inter-
est i'll public affairs than heretofore.
Certainly, the Patrons of Husbandry,
alike with other American citizens,
have an inalienable right to take such
interest in public affairs, and take such
political action as they may conceive to
be to their best interest. This is their
privilege as well as duty, and to take
action in their own way, and in accord
ance with their best judgement. and
who shall gainsay it {? Not only so, but
I think it would be the part of wisdom
and prudence, when the proper time
comes, for the Farmers Association and
Changers to unite, and select men from
among their own ranks, whose honesty,
integrity aud capability are unquestion-
ed, and make them standard-bearers for
the various offices of emolument and
trust.
"True, some men would call this a
selfish and proscriptive policy; espe-
cially lawyers, doctors, politicians and
place-hunters But let us look at that
matter more closely, and see how the
matter would be if it were reversed. 1t
is admitted that the farmers are greatly
in the majority over any other single
class or profession. Now suppose there
was community, or say State, where,
for instance, the lawyers had majority
of votes over the farmers, is anyone SO
verdant as to suppose that a farmer OF
mechanic, or day laborer would stand
the remotest chance for the Office o.
even Constable? Nay, verify not. But
how has it been formerly with regard to
the matter of public Offices? Why,
these very classes named above, though
greatly in the minority, have had these
things pretty much their own way.
They would form clique, and in secret
conclave would parcel out the various
offices. have everything cut and dried,
and bring it thus into the political con-
vention or primaries, and call on us out
siders to indorse this pre- arranged work,
and generally we silly, confiding souls
would humbIy sanction the work OF
these designing manipulators and then
the whole thing was proclaimed to the
public as the free, intelligent action OF
the mass convention, or primary cleo.
ton. The next thing in order was fol
the candidates, or some of their pOliti-
cal bu,nmers, to traverse the country
and make stump speeches to the peo-
pie and we would go to these meetings
to get political wisdom, by listening TO
q harangue, generally full of falsehoods,
abuse and vituperation against some
political opponent. Others who had
not the gift of CAB, or unable to make
stump speeches, wonld plod over the
country, call on us at our homes, in the
field at labor, and importune us for our
votes, shake hands, inquire about oul
health and our families, how crops are,
how we are progressing, dandle the
baby ON their knees, and manifest great
solicitude in our affairs generally
But after the election, how is
it then with these place-hunters
Why, they would not condesceni
to notice us if they were to NEE
us on the street or in public. They
would turn up their aristocratic noses
at the smell of the stable-yard on th'
honest tiller of the soil; and il
heart despise him with his stogy boots
brogan breeclRs, hickory-shirt