The Van Buren press., 1874-02-03
THE GRAxeH.
Rx.Prssidsut johnson On the Farmer
Movement.
From III. Knoxvill. Pre-. and H.r.id.I

From the Knoxville Press ssd Hsraid.l
GREENEvILLx, Tenn, Jan. 10, 1874.
The farmers OF the United States have
an undoubted right, and it becomes al
most an imperative duty, to combine for
their mutual protection aud to advance
their agricultural interests. IL they will
not protect themselves, unquestionably
no other class will. II other classes com.
bne, as they have done without solita-
ry exception, why should they not? Can
they afford to fight the great battle Of
hfe2 Are they willing to risk II in their
isolated and scattered condiuonf A
they now srand tney are helpless victlms
oi other combinations, and musfsuccumb
to their overshadowiug power BY all
means let them organize from the Allan
tic on the east TO the Rocky mountains
ON the west, and from the lakes on the
north to the Gulf OF Mexico on the south.
In my message Of 1866 l used this
language: "Our government springs
from and was made for the peopls--not
the people tor the government To them
it owes its allegiance from them it must
derive its courage, strength and wisdom.
But, while the government 10 thus bound
to defer to the people, from whom is de.
riyes its existence, it should, from the
very consideration Of its origin. be
strong in its power of resistance to the
establishment Of inequalities. Monopo-
lies, parpetuities and class legislation are
contrary to the genius Of free govern
meut, and ought not to I've allowed. Here
there is no room for favored classes or
lnonopoIies the principle ofoar govern
ment is that OF equal laws and freedom
vi industry. Wherever monopoly attains
ioothold, il is sure 10 be source of
danger. discord and troubls. We shall
but fu.fll our duties as legislators by NC
cording equal and exact justice to all
men, special privileges to none. The
government is subordinate ~ ,he people,
but rs the agent OF and representative Of
the people, il must be held superior 10
monopolcs, which. in themselves, ought
never to be granted, and which, were
they to exist, must he subordinate and
yield TO the government Such were
the views expressed SO far back rs
1865, when tho grange movement was
not yet inaugursled, with regard T.. mo
nopoles. The saac opinion ! entertain
still, MOnopo.ies are becoming danger.
ous, and l couli entertain no other wish
that the Patrons OF husbandry may be
entirely successful in checking their iu-
ture growth aud expulsion In our coun
try. Rings are empha'icalIy the or
der Of the day, aud patriotism demands
'"M IiSf JitrqahAt Ahr cbbfiabaN ~. sv..uv.
and prohigatc purposes, the time has ~
rived for the good men Of all parties to
associate and bling about such reform ~
the exigcncies Of the country require.
Mr. burke. OAs Of England . greatest
statesmen, advanced these ideas many
years ago. The idea is to draw good
men, sound at heart aud patriotic in
every iibie aud fiIament OF their nature,
from all sources from every class OF
men who are not partisans in politics nor
fanatics in religion. l understand that
the Farmers movement docs not pro.
pose to build up either Democracy on
the one hand, nor Republicanism on the
other, but to establish great principles
aud to solve the mighty problem Of mu,
tual protection. The farmers should
have great concert Of action il they ex-
pcct to do any good for themselves
The agricultural and industrial classes
constitute, by far, the most numerous
aud influential Of all the classes. They
combine, too, more OF the elements OF In.
tegrity, They are more truthful aud re-
liable Their very occupations lead them
in the paths Of fair and honorable deal
ing. .iave always maintained that the
people could be trusted, and 80 they can
The government has pursued III unwise
course in making such enormous grants
of the public domain to railroad corpora
,ions. The lands should DO parceled out
to the classes referred to, and thus let
them I'LL up the rural districts. Such q
course would augment the industrial Gle
ment Of the country aud make 1t c0ndu
Give 10 our national welfare Our popu-
laton is drifting toward our citias and
towns, when it should take possession OF
our public lands, open them, improve
| tuelN, anu kuuS bWeIl tUc uuUtucV w NStt
culturis,s throughout the country. The
happiest and most prosperous days oflhe
Roman republic was when its citizens
were engaged IN tho peaceful pursuits Of
agriculture, aud when they loved their
country as they did the apple OF their
eye. Virtue, then, was enthr0ned in the
public heart, and patriotism was the
GROWING glory Of The humble ,ilers OF
the soil. The history OF The world will
demonstrate that, in all national emer
sencies. when political integrity WAS at v
fearful discount, and the hopes Of the M
ton were blasted by the conduct ot cor.
rupt aud prohigate men, the sturdy yeo
manry OF the rural distrisls saved thv
country from impending destruction. !
confess have strong hopes that the
great movement when the farmers VI
the United States have recently inaugura
ted aud which Is spreading so rapid,
over The entire nation, viii create health.
! lul influence, not only IN reeuperaling
our exhausted lands, IN dtfilsiug thS spir-
it Of education among the masses. and IN
placing the profession of farming upon
higher grounds. but in ar0usiny u loitier
feeling Of patriotism and = more ardent
and sincere devotion tV our national wei.
fur.