The farmers' vindicator. (Jackson, Miss.) 1873-1???, 1874-06-19

One of the great evils of the times
is the rule of the politicians. Nearly
every county, in every State in the
Union, has a small coterie at its county
seat who manage the political affairs
of the county. They manipulate all
the county and other conventions, as
skillful as Ole Bull did the strings Of
his violin. They play the members Of
a convention very much as a gambler
plays his cards. They nearly always
stock them, and are sure to have
trumps in their own hands. If there
is not much to be won, they will throw
away a game now and then, but when
the winnings amount to anything,
high, low, jack and the game will be
found in their hands.
Can the power Of the politicians be
broken? There is not a more serious
questson now before the farmer. There
is not a struggle that will require more
nerve, firmness and decision Of char
acter. If they are beaten once they
will be ready the next time, and the
next-for they are slippery, wiry, per-
tinacious fellows, and if kicked out,
and kicked off, they will be sure to be
on hand again. Politicians are pro-
verbally, dsshor est. They will sell
the best friend nlsiie world, ifitwill lszt
them one step ahead. They will prom
ise everything to every body, and never
think Of performing what they promise.
IF elected to places of honor or i'm
portance, they will work for those who
will help them most, or pay them most.
They have no fixed principles. They
are guided by selfinterest. What
care they for the people? They-the
people-don't watch very closely their
votes. When they come home to see
their constituents, if they spend their
money freely, which they have got
perhaps wrongfully; if they treat, lib
orally, those who are dry; if they
shake hands warmly, and have smile
for everybody why they are the clev-
crest rtoffellows, and must be re-elect-
ed. 1t may be we have overdrawn
the picture a little, in some respects,
but in other particulars we have not
done justice to it. We ask the reader
if his own observation has not corrob-
grated very much we have said.
Now do we want this practice to
continue? Are the farmers satisfied
with the management like this? Or
have they vowed that such practice
shall cease? They have the power in
their hands to remedy such evils.
They are largely in the majority, and
IAN have things their own way, if they
will. If they will attend the conven-
ions and put forth their best men,
hey can easily triumph over their
more willy competitors.
The masses are honest. They have
10 motive to be otherwise. They are
he producers of all real wealth, and
he real bearers of all burdens impos-
d by officials. With honesty, economy
md proper management in the admin
stration of county, State and national
fairs, their burdens are light. They
re opposed to high taxes, because
re not able to pay them. They are
opposed to giving special privileges
o certain classes, because it makes
hose clases rich and themselves
oor. They don't want to foster
nd encourage monopolies, because it !
antagonistic to their interests. J
Ience they want to elect men in full 7
with them, and they have :
he power to do it, and will do it. !
We have no fear Of the result in the I
,ming struggle. The majority must Z Z
lie. Three or four men will not T
rove stronger than three or four !,
lousand men. The farmers eyes u
ave not been opened till of late.