Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-02-12
THE FARMERS MOVEMENT.

ing OF the Farmers Association OF tne
seventh Illinois District-Objects OF the
Organiza tion-How Cooperation mas
worked-Benenss of the Cash System.
ETC.. Etc.
At a meeting of the Farmers Associa-
ton of the Seventh Congressional Dis
trict of Illinois, held at Morris, on the
2sth ult., President Snoad spoke as fol-
lows:
For the first time in the history of
America have the producers of this
country made any attempt to join hands
for the purpose of relieving themselves
from expressions, or for the elevation
and advancement of their calling to
higher plane than that accorded by
mere accidental circumstances. As a
class, we have had but one idea, and by
worshiping it so closely, have lost sight
of many higher and nobler objects.
The social, moral, and intellectual ties
which build up and make men and ma
tions strong, have been confined to a
narrow limit, and wrapt up In a sancti-
monious cloak, and, like a faithful
Watchdog, had no interest In protecting
any persons rights except his own.
MAY we not, then, offer thanks that q
change is being wrought, and that we
more fully realize that man IS a social
being. And, In order to more perfectly
develope and illustrate all of the wants
and demands of his nature, it is neces-
sary to get together and compare notes
occasionally, and consider in what direc-
lion we are drifting. Has not this
Grange system, adopted by individuals,
been the means of finding out the state
of affairs which now exist-no concert
of action, no sympathy with each ether,
nothing that would tend to elevate their
condition outside of the old routine of
affairs? But time and circumstances
have revealed the fact that it is neces-
sary that we should mingle together,
and calmly consider our standing IN So
ciety. We should also consider whether
our rights are respected and protected
in the tribunals of the nation, as you
all know that many of our representa-
tives have no particular interest In our
welfare, except, perhaps, incidentally to
pocket the fruits of our labors. But,
without undue reflections upon those
who, it is said, had followed the natural
laws of self-preservation, we pass on to
examine the advantages of organization.
The farmers of the West have under
taken to inaugurate reform which, If
carried to success, will, to some extent,
change several features of business In
commercial circles. and probably politi-
cal. The object of this change is to I'M
prove the condition of the producers
and those interested with them imam
cially, morally, and socially, educating
every man, in a commercial point Of
view, to think and act independently,
as business man, and rely upon his
own judgment and knowledge in the or
binary transactions of everyday life. Not
that every man should qualify himself
to become a merchant, or banker, or
lawyer. but that he will find upon in
vesfigation that it will be for his well
fare te understand some of the princi-
pies which underlie these vorious bust
ness departments. He will find that the
coat he wears has had tax levied upon
it, and should know whether the tax
has gone TO the Government or simply
as subsidy to the manufacturer. he
should also understand that the same
coat was sold by the manufacturer to q
jobber, who undoubtedly received a
profit by handling it. He, perhaps, sold
1t to the Wholesale merchant, and the
wholesale merchant turns it over to the
retail merchant. The retail merchant
has supplied you with the coat. You
observe that it has become a thing OF
considerable magnitude, as it has been
continually accommodating something
from the time it left the manufacturer.
Quite a contrast between that and OF
shipping carload of grain to New
York or Boston, as it would frequently
require a retroacting telescope to dis
cover its remains after paying express
charges.
Under our present banking laws, il
is said that money costs the people
from Is to 20 per cent, when it il
claimed that the same money can bt
supplied by the Government and save
this entire amount by issuing green
backs in the place of bank bills. Som,
claim that a free-bank;ng law would
remedy the great evils that seem to ex
list in our finances, while others CLAIM
that nothing short of a specie basis vii
set US right. These are questions t,
be settled by the American people within
the next twenty-four months, and w
should fully prepare to be able to de
eide upon a course of action that vii
be for the interests of the producing
classes to adopt. The great object t.
be attained rs the adjustment of rule
governing trade so that while one part,
may live another should not die, O
while the man who lives by his wit
and money may receive fair compens a
ton, the producer may enjoy simila
privileges. One of the great advantage
of organization and cooperation will b.
the reduction of our business to a NOR
systematic standard. We should know
what each bushel of corn, oats, wheat
or potatoes costs. We should also nm
derstand the value of these products il
all of the different raarkets of tn
world also the quantity produced an
nually, In time to calculate more closef
its probable ultimate value. We shout
also understand what the cost of Pre-
ducing pound of pork and beef
cheese, butter, etc., is, compared wit
the raising of grain, and the relativ
profit of each. In fact, q broad field