Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-01-29
lFrom the st.Louis Globe }

formation thereof from the fountain
head, Globe reporter called upon
Mr.. Charles w. Green, Secretary of
the National Agricultural Congress,
now sojourning for time in the city
working up the interests OF the Crop
Reporter. Mr.. Greene was among
the fret to espouse the cooperative
movement of the farmers, and has
ever been an earnest advocate OF
their cause. His views, though pro-
gressive, are always tempered with
moderation, and, while asking justice
for the farmers. be does not ignore
the Just relations of other industries
Finding him at Barnum's Hotel at
liberty and ready to converse upon
The topics suggested, the following
conversation resulted:
RESULTS OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT.
"Mr. Greene, what results do You
anticipate from the Grange move-
ment I"
.'The tone of your query suggests
she inquiry whether your question
refers distinctively to the organiza-
ton known as the Patrons OF Hus-
bandry or the general movement 2
refer to the grange movement
in the generl acceptation of the
term"
"To start right, then, | find very
general misunderstanding in the
public mind as to the different forms
of organization adopted by the farm
ers and their comparative influence.
The Oranges, as originally, organic
cd, were not intended for the
discussion of political questions
at all, and, to secure full attendance,
such discussions were rigidly Taboo
cd at all meetings. They were
simply designed as social gatherings,
whore the methods of crop culture,
the dairy, and domestic matters
we're discussed. Neither of them
are in any degree Responsible for
the great political upheava now
in progress. 1t is no more a
farmers than q mechanics move
ment, and only takes it's name from
The larger class engaged 10 it. 1t re-
suits primarily from the aggressive
combinations Of apitalists-the lille
ultimate and improper exercise of
wealthy power Naturally the farm
or, aggregated and helpless as be has
been, unable to maintain his ground
single handed against the combina-
lions of capital, has been lts ready
prey, and they, as class, have suf-
tered most. The growth of the
farmers organizations has been
steadily increasing for series OF
years, becoming constantly moro
popular, and especially so since the
agricultural press has become so in
huential an ally. The farmers were
rapidly discovering the advantages
Of such association, independent of
any political Significance. 1t s easy
20 see how, almost inperceptibly,
the political influences have crept in
to these social meetings, until it has
now undoubtedly become the lead
ing feature. Here was the oppress-
cd condition under which each aud
all of the farmers, especially of the
Torthw est, were laborlng. 1t was
impossibly to make both ends meet,
lot them pinch and save as they
might. On the other hand, they saw
railway kings and merchant princes
paradsd before them, whose wealth
augmented by millions yearly. Such
things have eBgendered deep seat
cd unrest which has been manifested
IN various forms. The labor move.
mont which nominated a Presiden-
tial candidate for the last campaign
was che of these. This was merged
into the Liberal movement with it's
candidate, Horace Greeley, always
in sympathy with the toiling classes
As this feeling has gained ground
among the people, becoming sub
iect OF general discussion, and since
the monopolists have constantly
treated the popular demands with
en- air of careless Indifference and
naughty independence, it has very
naturally resultedthat when the farm
ers met in their clubs this has been
q principal topic of conversation.
Since it was not political in the par
tisan sense, the members of all par
ties and creeds could well pledge
themselves as against the common
foe. The party managers, seeing
where this must inevitably lead,
have vehemently charged that the
clubs and oranges were going into
politics, which has generally been
answered by the farmers in the spirit
that If this is politics, they are will.
ling to be known as politicians in
this. not unpopular species of gen.
ius."
Is THE MOVEMENT POLITlCAL2
"Do you consider that the move
ment is really and essentially polit,
icsl one p
~UnQuestionably so now. The
very denial OF political intentions on
the part Of the clubs and the result
ing discussions, have undoubtedly
exerted s strong negative influence
10 making it go. 1t has become a
fixed purpose of clubs, Oranges, and
all sorts of societies, to reform the
abuses complained of. Four fifths of
all the associations, of every charac.
ter, organized during the past eigh-
teen months, have had that as the
primary purpose of the organization.
Other subjects will be secondary un-
til this is finally disposed Of"
THE Changers say, | believe, that
they do not politically, as Oranges
but that they do so individually. Is
not such course practicable p
"By making such assertions they
are simply making themselves ridi-
oulous. You may have noticed that
one of the resolutions adopted by the
Illinois State Grange, at Blooming
ton, made a declaration you speak
of, and yet they sent out a dozen