Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-24
THE FARMERS AND DEMOCRACY


The democracy are endeavoring to
practise upon the crcdulity of tho farmers,
as they have upon the laboring men in
times past. By the plentiful use OF hay
seed, and by great officiousness in the
granger movement and the establishment
of farmers clubs. they aim to impose. up
on and control the people OF the rural
districts. No sooner was the grange
movement started, says the Albany Journal
ethan sharp, tricky local demagogues' in
accordance with q wink from prompters
behind the Democratic scenes, made haste
to get control Of the organizations. And
so, from being dead weight to all pro-
gress, this old, rotten carcass OF Democ-
racy suddenly and mysteriously trans
formed itself into party OF reform.
If it would confine its labors to reforming
itself. the world would say amen, and it
would not be out of work for good while
to come. Going from its acts in piling
up large national debt and bankrupting
the Treasury in time Of profound peace
when there was no interest to pay on the
debt created by a Democratic rebellion,
to its gigantic frauds in New York city,
to say nothing of its Chicago Cages and
lesser lights, all at once it set itself up as
the model party of honesty and purity,
and claimed the right to go into the fore
~ r.
1t is surprising the farmers did not see
through this thin disguise Of hypocrisy at
a glance and promptly repudiatc their
proffercd assistance. But, generous, for
giving, open, manly themselves, they knew
it was full time for the Democracy to bring
forth fruits meet for repentance. and a
few Of the more hopeful were received on
probation. Democratic deceit and dis
honesty are dyed in the wool OF that
party, and it is useless to attempt to wash
them out. The experience Of the farmers
in their new relations with them is over
whelming testimony on the subject. In
the election in Wisconsin last fall the far
mers were sold out body and soul to the
old Bourbon Democracy as the result has
shown. All appointees by the new Gov
ernor are ingrained Democrats. The
Speaker of the Assembly is an old political
demagogue of like stripe. And although
the farmers in that State went into the
contest TO secure redress of railroad
grievances, it is now openly charged. and
the charge has strong evidence to support
it, that these Wisconsin Democrats. elected
by the votes of farmers, are the plant
tools of the railroads and ran the campaign
last fail secretly in their interest. In Iowa
and other Western States wherever the
farmers have joined hands with the Dem
ocrats they have most generally been sold
out in the same way. And in New Hamp-
shire where the Democrats are working
hard to secure help from the farmers. it is
openly charged by leading opposition
paper which has more honesty than is
generally found in Democratic journals.
that Weston, an old Bourbon, was nom
mated for Governor by most glazing
fraud of railroad combinations.
II the farmers will contrast this course
of the Democrats with what the Repub-
licans are doing in their behalf, they will
not need to look twice to see where theil
friends are found. The United States
Senate Transportation Committee viii
throw much light upon this subject wher
its report is made. and its measures ant
recommendation will doubtless do grea
good. The Republican Governor of Hi
nois led off in recommending and urging
the adoption Of satisfactory methods Of
relief when the movement was frs
started. Other Republican Governor
have taken similar action. The nomination
of farmer McCutchins in New Hampshire