The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-05-27


veloped RESISTANCE to oppression begins, and
efforts are made to promote the general
welfare. 1t is notable that the Farmers
and Farm Laborers of the civilized world
are among the last to combine result
due not so much to lack of intelligence as
10 isolation, suspicion, and unweil-
| dy numbers. Resistance begins where
oppression is most felt, and where there is
the greatest ability to resist it.
Hence, the Farmers Movement first
showed its strength in the Western States
There, cheap lands and fertile soil at
tracted large body of intelligent emf
grants-it is safe to say men of more than
average intelligence aud education, These
men, in that region comprise more than
half the population, instead of 30 per cent
of it, as in all New England except Rhode
Island, where it is only II per cent They
produce far in excess of the local CON
sumption, and the large surplus from their
farms, seeking the seaboard must pass
| through the hands of dealer and transpor-
ter. The farmers wants, when not sup
piled by local production, must be met by
purchase of goods that have gone through
the same hands. The result is a high
cost Of production and low price Of pro-
ducts, that has rendered, even in favorable
seasons, their business unrenumerative,
and made them poorer in the midst OF
plenty.
WHO TAKE PART IN THE FARMERS MOVE
MENT.
This Farmers Movement seized upon
such existing organizations of the agricul-
tuIgl classes as seemed most adapted to
meet its new wants. 1t passed by for the
most part the Agricultural Societies, the
Boards of Agriculture, and organizations
generally that were devoted to holding
fairs and the like, because these organiza-
tions often contained more or less men
that were neither farmers nor in sympathy
with farmers. But the Farmers Clubs,
organized for discussion and mutual i'm
provement in the art of agriculture, and
the Oranges, whose object was mutual
help, cooperation, and social intercourse,
came nearer what was needed, and they
were concentrated upon the new
work. The loose organization Of the clubs
and the secrecy and prohibition of politics
in the Oranges were drawbacks to their
efficiency but these difficulties have been
to some extent corrected Now the farm
ers being large class, their interest is
very nearly the common interest of the
people of the whole country. Hence the
infection spreads or reacts. The trade or
$ CARNATIONS are strengthened, or, what is
better, become fused together in a class
organization of mechanics and operatives,
with broader and less selfish purposes and
e aspirations than the single trades union
= can have. Sooner or later these industrial
o interests, comprising from 70 to IS per
. cent of the population, promise to join
hands and to combine in putting down
whatever seems to be inconsistent with the
= fundamental doctrines of our republic In
n this they will without doubt receive the
aid of fair men Of all classes, and will be
opposed only by the more selfish Of the
G privileged classes, who at the expense Of
i other classes, have grown wealthy
G from legal advantages furnished by i'm.
=. proper legislation Thus the movement
which began with the agricultural class
G reacts upon other classes and becomes gen
t eral, and hostile TO existing parties, decadent
\ or triumphant.
The discussion which results in ferretine
out the causes Of known evils, is most val
; liable in reforming abuses and educating
i the people up to more radical and demo
G cratic opinions than have yet been accept.
. ed by the country. Our existing system
Of National taxation, whereby the consu
J mer pays the tax; of State taxation, which
c makes the farmer the great taxpayer o
{; the country our inconyertible currency
!. whose depreciation is heavy burden, frs
upon farmers, next on mechanics and la
/ borers, and finally on all men engaged il
( legitimate business: our transportation
;e placed by law IN the hands of monopolies
p our patent laws, whereby the many are in
ordinately taxed to make a few UNUSUAL,
-ich-all these and other abuses discussed
e in the light Of a more intelligent and pro
nounccd republicanism, tend to build up
= new political organization which, appeal
u, ing to the first principles of the Declare
u ton, goes forward to war against cias
IS privilege and distinction.
1t seems to be the law Of American pol
If tics that successful parties must organic
e on radical principles and fight their wa
- Continued on third uage.)