New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-02
THE RAILROAD WAR UNNATURAL.

INTERESTS OF THE FARMERS AND THE RAILROADS
THE sAME-PLEA FOR HARMONY.
To the Editor Of The Trt6une.
SIR: 1t seems unfortunate for the West that
conflict should have arisen between the people ana
the railroads. And yet what appears TO be an evil may
proye TO be blessing In disguise" 1t Is surely time
that the questions OF right and authority should be def
initely settled Almost every contest whether public
or private, springs from original misunderstanding
Each party stands upon what he believes 10 be MS
rights and insists that the opposite party Is III tho
wrong quarrel therefore, is inevitable. The issue
must be determined by force and force as we all know,
is not always on the side OF justice. Passions become
infaned and prejudces created. The longer the war
continues the more intolerant and bitter do the rival
parties grow Each side becomes entirely blind TO the
rights OF his neighbor. His own half or the circle is al
that in passion can see Tho truth
Is not O semicircle, but is grand, magnificent orp'
upon some portion OF which the sun always shines
There is nothing more certain than that all legitimate
human interests harmonious, or would be- but for
the interference OF those who expect TO derive some
benefit In rendering them otherwise.
This railroad question is one OF such paramount I'M
portance as challenge the most earnest atten Oh
every who looks forward to the combined develop
ment and progress of the great West. No parties are
so deeply concerned as the farmers. If demagogues
would only keep quiet tho strong common sense OF the
agricultural class would bring the problem to a
pacific conclusion But your rural politician. whose
trade 1t atter and deceive the people into beey
ing him their friend and making him their representa-
tive, sees in the present state OF afeirs valuable
mine for him to work In this fact Is concealed the
real difficulty of the Political capital is to some
people as valuable as landed capital or pecuniary
capital is to ohers-it must be made to yield interest
Hence 1t seems almost impossible TO reconcile the an
tagonism which has been created between the railroads
and farming unity In the present state OF ex'
ASPIRATION neither side fairly and Justly consderthe
rights Of the other. And yet both sides have rights ana
neither can be benefited by ignoring tramplng upon
the rights of the other can politics ever settle this
question satisfactorily. Its question OF political econ
ony Of law and Of common justice. Its settlement viii
nave powerful bearing other interests than those
OF railroads and agriculture III patty majority IN our
State Legislature can, from malice or freak, or any
other motive impair or destroy the title to hundreds OF
millions OF dollars invested In railroads, pray what
security can there be for the STABILITY OF RrGpewg
Of amy cn @ Enrichment aa as the aS
of wisconsin could be legally and constiutonally
PToSs a aaS INVESTED dollar in railroad
Who would have built the thousands OF miles OF railroad
which have rescued the Western states from wilder.
ness and converted this vast region into garden OF
fertilItyi Not mile would have been constructed I'M
less the farmers had put their hands into their own
nockets or invoked the dangerous and expensive
thorty Of Without railroads the states would
NAMED born For the states built the roads
would have entaed upon poserity an enormous debt
present and past generation. Besides public works,
Is we'll known, cost vastly more than similar under
Immense sum is always squandered upon po
iitlcal fayorites and INSCRIPTIONS contractors.
who can afford 10 be generous TO their friends.
Surely nothing would be gained in the way Of morals by
Transferring such power from the hands OF
ing influence by the political parties OF state.
The remedy would be far worse than the disease The
less power state the business pursuits Of ts
citizens better will IL DO for the cause OF liberty.
Fraud, corruption monopoly should be checked and
punished by wholesome general laws, But the people
should be free No special legislation either for or
against any particular interest should permitted.
Thus only can liberty be established. The rail-
roads should not control legislation as AGAINST
farmers, should the farmers control legislation
TO the detriment OF those who have built our rail-
roads constructed our canals The more the subject
is looked the clearly will appear that there
natural antagonism between the different
OF a country. They alike essential TO each other.
Railroad property is like any other property IL must
Integrity cannot be shaken without DISTURBING tho
difficulty the West has been brought about by mu-
tual ignorance mutual Misunderstanding. which has
been ostered and famed into ame by local politicians
1t is certainly the interest OF every Western state,
and for that OF every citizen that the trouble shall soon
end and end IL Will IL common sense and reason are
allowed their calm above the din OF pas
sion confusion OF tongues The railroads are ao
soutey essential the farmers and the farmers are
equally essential the railroads 1t is 10 be hoped that
from the present apparent dicord better understand
ing Will result and lasting harmony be evoked.
Chicago Aug. 26, 1874 j. EsAIAs WARREN.