The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
AGrave Question.

of the anti-monopoly principles and
has hitherto acted with that party,
writes us lengthy private letter on
the political situation. In his opin-
ion the democratic party can never
be made available for reducing to
practice the anti-monopoly meas
ures," because these are "antagonis-
tic to the genius of that organiza-
tion," and he proves this by an ex-
tended and intelligent review of that
party's history.
Because of ''dritting demagogues,
whose impulses are selfish and cor
rupt and who are accomplished
masters of intrigue" always waiting
to attach themselves to every new
organization, with the intention of
controlling it in their own Interests,
and because the people are $50 fool
1sh as to listen to and be guided by'
these, he despairs Of "successfully
launching" new party and render
ing it useful in effecting reforms.
He thinks that it will inevitably be
captured by the unprlncipled and
and made to subserve their evil pur-
poses, or else be betrayed and de-
stroyed by them.
To show that this is an easy task he
points to that numerous class of dis
satisfied people who are constantly
clamoring for reform, but have only
the crudest notions of what consti-
tute desirable reformations. These
are more likely to demand the at
tainment Of impossible ends by the
use of destructive means, than they
are to be led Alright by sound judy
ment. They generally have pet
theories, derived from some one of
the numerous radical schools of So
GEOLOGY, or are ignoramuses ready to
accepts whatever views they least
understand, and are pliable material
for demagogues to work upon and
persuade to aid them in the further
ance of their sinister purposes. Be.
tween these two classes the voice
of the sincere and intelligent re-
former is drowned and his influence
overcome.
Our friend next inquiries:
"Can we not most surely effect the
desired changes in the policy of the
government by acting with the domi-
nant party? Do not the great mass of
the sensible conservative people ct the
country belong to that organization?
And is it not folly to believe that they
will sanction wrong or aid in inficting
injury upon their country? IF they are
convinced that wrongs are being per-
petrated, will they not array themselves
against the wrong doors and expel them
from power?'
He continues:
1.-THE important question then is, how
can we convince them that the present
policy IS wrong? Certainly not by
placing ourselves in opposition to and
inveighing against them; nor by sup
porting and lauding the virtues Of those
in whom they cannot possibly repese
confidence. To do this is to insult
their intelligence, or doubt their ;ntegri-
ty, and it must be expected that they
will resent such treatment. It seems
to me that the proper course is for us,
first, to use our influence to procure the
nomination and election of good men,
and next. to discuss political questions,
dispassionately, without partizan pre-
JUDGE or assumption of superior wis
dom.
"The people are sufficiently intelli-
gent to comprehend logical arguments,
and so anxious to be right that they
will complacently listen to what is told
to them in proper manner and with
becoming spirit. If reformers will de-
pend upon these means, instead Of ap-
pealing to partizan prejudices and pas
sions, and lending themselves to hoist
selfish demagogues into positions of
power and profit, their success will soon
be assured, for the dominant party will
not Long hesitate to adopt their views,
so far as it will be to the interest of the !
community to have them adopted"
We must confess that our friend !