The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-05

Politics and the Changers,

stand the great political revolution now in
progress in these United States of Amer
lea. The institution of the Order of the
Patrons of Husbandry is not the cause of
this revolution. 1t is only an accidental
means for bringing it to the surface.
The great cause is the growing intelli-
gence of the masses of the people, result
ing from our educational system. THE
schoolmaster is abroad"
The results are these: The people can
no longer be manipulated by the political
machinery which has hitherto been SO eff
fectual. The days of caucuses, political
parties, political papers, etc., have pass
ed.
But is this because the people are
losing their interest in politics? No, in
deed; quite the contrary. 1t is because
the people have determined to understand
and manage their own affairs.
No Granger will ever be called to &C
count for his vote. Changers will indorse
no cast-iron platform. But all the live
questions which affect the peoples inter
ests will freely be discussed in the Grange;
and the people will come to their own con-
illusions, and act accordingly. 1t will not be
asked to what party candidate belongs !;
but it will be asked, is he fit for the Office !?
This is the way for the American people
to do. 1t is the way the trainers of our
constitution meant we should do ''Poi-
ticians' ESQ called) have succeeded for a
| time in making our experiment of a really
republican government failure; but the
time of its success is at hand
The most remarkable part of the bust
ness is, that the class which is least inter,
ested, and has the poorest means for know
ing and correcting the evils which have cor
rupted government, is taking the lead in
tneir correction.
Editors, authors, printers, mechanics,
manufacturers, and other inhabitants of
our cities and villages, have better means
for forming and maintaining clubs for con-
sideriDg and promoting matters OF COM
mon interest. Attempts to form associa-
tons which will really cooperate with the
| Farmers Clubs and Oranges in the great
and good work they are doing, fail because
they do not really understand what this
work is.
People seem to think that this is move
ment like the old political parties, to raise
a certain set of men to power, or to pro-
mote certain measures. Many Changers
are themselves making this mistake. But
all attempts at anything like this must
come to grief
! The people will and must meet IN clubs,
in which all live subjects of public interest
are freely discussed; and then every man
must be left free to act as he pleases.
| 1T the editors OF our papers, and other
conductors Of the press, would keep pace
with the people, they must actively pro-
mote the formation of such clubs, and take
active part in them, freely exchanging
views with each other there.
THE GRANGERS AND BUSINESS.
The Order of the Patrons of Husbandry
was not instituted for business purposes,
but TO increase the intelligence of the
producer, to tighten labor, by diffusinga
knowledge of its aims and purposes" and
to expand the mind. The business and
manufacturing enterprises of Changers
have been accidental results of that fact of
their combinations But they are illus
tratipg some great truths.
The principal truth thus illustrated is
that great changes are going on in the COM
mercial system of the world The real
causes Of these changes are first, in
creased facilities of transportation, and
secondly, increasing intelligence among the
people.
The result will be that our system of
middle en"-that is, our commercial
system will soon be entirely changed. This
change will include more particulars than
can be here explained but among them
are the following
| The present system of retailing will be
abolished. People will be informed by circu-
lar price-lists, what manufacturers produce
that they want and they will send written
orders to a few metropolitan establish
ments for machinery. dry goods, clothing,
groceries, etc. etc. without the present ex-
/ pensve system Of commission men, iobberS,
retailers, commercial travellers. agents, etc.
The final result Of this will be as benefi-
clal to manufacturers as to other produ-
GERS. Some individual Changers may en-
gage in manufacturing; but that the Or
der can undertake to do the manufacturing
Of the country is an absurdity too great to
deserve refutatiOn.
Perhaps the greatest mistake that the
Changers are now making is an attempt of
some Of them to keep this great CONNER
cial revolution within the bounds of the
Order; they are issuing confidential
price-lists and circulars. This is a great
mistake. The matter concerns all consum-
ers and all producers the truly patriotic
and sensible way is to invite and urge all
to take part in it as they should, and will
before long. ID. JR.