Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-01-30
WHY NOT AN oReANP

we so earnestly disclaim being the " Organ "
Of the Patrons, 60, &C., and one correspond
ent says he " don't see but what you might
just as well call yourself an organ (of
the PatrOnsl seeing that certainly no other
Eastern Agricultural paper is doing anything
for u.s. ~r ~ rf'" '"''s
Well, the first and principal reason why
we say that the FARMER is not an " organ, y"
is because il isn't. An organ among
newspapers, is supposed to be controlled in
the interests, nominally, at least, Of some
party, or other organization. Now no one
exercises any control whatever over these
columns, save ourself None can say to us
"you must publish this or you mustn't
publish that for we publish just what we
choose, with no other responsibility, save
that due to honor and conscience.
II is true we give up considerable space
to the Farmers Movement and the Patrons.
We do this because we sympathize with
them in their avowed plans for improving
the condition of the farming community
But plans are one thing, and the execution
of them another. Perhaps it may happen,
as their enemies prophesy, that all the 6ne
promises of these organizations may be turned
awry, and brought to nothing by the devices
Of self.seeking " leaders. We hope not
we do not believe they will But the surest
way to realize these unfriendly prognostica.
tOns would be for the farmers papers to be-
come the organs Of the movement, For
and VIC wish to impress this fact well up.
gu the reader-a newspaper organ is al.
'cays The organ Of the leaders, aud not
ofthe rank and file. Consequently if these
" leaders" have any selfish plans, the or.
gan, far from sounding an alarm, always
insists that everything is lovely, and that
anybody who asserts the contrary is mere
disturber and mischief maker Who ever
heard Of an organ exposing rottenness, or
acknowledging intrigue among the " lead
ers2" DO they not always make speciality
of whitewash, and prophesy smooth things,
as long as a single simpleton will isten2
No, thank yOu; no " organ in ours. We
will give our readers the news about all these
new goings on. We will keep them posted
as to the advantages and disadvantages that
they may develop as time passes on. We
will give good word, and hearty help, to
all that promises well to the farmers of Yer
INF VA % h. unIo Il
that we owe no allegiance to anything less
than the whole body of farmers We grind
no axes, not even for our best personal
friends, and the FARMER is always open for
the honest criticism Of every movement and
every plan, come the criticism or the plan
from whence it may.
We look for much good to come from the
present awakening among the tillers of the
soil. We believe it promises much in the
way of improvement in agriculture, in the
regulation Of trade, in the reform of public
wrongs and return to honesty economy
and efficiency in our public service, both 10.
cal and national. But the duty of the press
is always to the people. To them alone is
its allegiance due, and when it RENTS its Wig
lance or surrenders itself to 50 organ.grind-
ing, it betrays its trust.
On the other hand the people, if they
are wise, will steer clear of that class of
newspapers that are willing, indeed proud,
to wear collars, marked with the name of
this or that party, or movement. III
your cause is good and honest one, it will
not lack of needed support from the indepen-
dent press of the country. 1t may, and
doubtless will, criticise you, but if you are
right in the main you need not mind criti- |
csm; it will do you good. And you may
be sure that while it criticises your party, it |
will do you invaluable service by keeping a
watchful eye upon all those who may be |
seeking to obtain power, and make money,
under pretense of devotion to the cause.
The intrigues of this class of men, the
self.styled +" leaders " have been the curse
aud ruin Of every great undertaking that
looked towards the reform of abuses, and the
lettering of the condition of the people. 1t
is they that set up organs 4" and grind
them. 1t is they who are afraid of an indie
pendent press. But let the people patrouizc
and encourage the newspapers that dare to
tell the truth.
In all this we are not cOunseling the |
Withholding Of just confidence in the men SC. |
lected by the people for places of trust.
Nothing can be more suicidal than such a
course as that Select your men, don't let
them select themselves) and then give them
generous support. So long as they are
frank and open, active and efficient, stand By
them with all your strength But believe
no man too good to be watched, or to be
held to the strctest accountability. Short
settlements make long friendships, in poll.
tics as well as in business. Reward good
service literally, but never allow the servant
to believe himself free from responsibility, or
to think himself the master of those who |
made him. So we may be well served, and
such servants will not be continually waiting
to set up organs, or engage with them in
the manufacture Of public opinion, -
which means humbug and the pulling Of
wool over the peoples eyes.
10 NlNn TuEID uoror ~. - ~, |