The anti-monopolist., 1877-03-29

l.
MRS. HENRY PECK.
Lombard, ILL.,, Feb. 10.
AN INTERESTING LETTER. SOME
SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS
TO FARMERS AND
CHANGERS.
NNNGER. MINI. March 2.1s77.
Editor Aaati-Monopolist:
I beinga farmer and common laboring |
man, with very limited education, some
may think me very much out Of place in
attempting to write letter for publica-
tion, ,and it is only the interest that feel
in the success OF The ANTI -MONoPoIBT,
the Independent Party, the Grange, that
tempted me to try. often wonder why
it is that the farmer is SO seldom heard
from, in the way Unpublished communi-
cations in reference to their own
interests. You often hear from them
in the way of grumbling, fault-fndings,
in regard to high taxes, high interest,
low prices for what ever they have to
sell, and that is about all. Some plan to
eradicate those unjust burdens seems to
never once enter their minds, judgin.,
from their actions. Now we have plenty
of men among our class that are capable
of writing tor publication, and thereby
keep in agitation matters that concern
our own interests; and it is strange why
| they are so silent, and so little interested
| in their own welfare as to leave all this
| tor editors and others of different occu~
patton, to discuss, and to do so often to
our disadvantage, by being misrepre>
sented. Now if the farmers would only
engage in this matter and speak for
themselves it would not only be great
help to us,by the influence it would have
over our enemies, but help to support
and build up our Independent organs,
such rs The ANTI -MoNoPOL1sT. Those
organs are necessity through them we
claim our rights. Through them we
must fight those that would Cypress us,
by keeping that spirit awakened that is
dormant within US. NowTHE ANTI-MO~
NoPOLIsT is, and has been since its first
copy was issued, labor5u! hard for our
cause; for the rights Of the common
people, as against monopolies, rings,
unjust legis lationthat mas tendency,
and is intended to oppress US, and favor
the rich ;then is it notour duty as well as
our interest, for each and every one 20
help sustain and build up that paper?
Noticed letter, and was glad to see
one interested enough to speak, in The
ANTI-MoNoPOLIsT OF February 18th. from
a Granger in Brown Co., making a
proposition. second his proposal, and
will work for its success, but do not
agree with him on the Grange.
Now will make proposition; and
that is this. Let every subscriber to
The ANTI-MoNOPOLIsT, especially those
who voted for Peter. Cooper. add to its
subscription list. by his influence, one
more name. Friends of the Indepen-
dent Party and Reform, let us act upon
this at once, consider it our duty, and
have it accomplished. think there is
not one but that can get some friend or
relation to subscribe. know the times
are hard, but they will be harder if we
do not work TO stay them.
Now come 70 the Grange. As said
before do not agree with your corres>
pondent from Brown Co., in regard to
the Grange end politics. lbut can agree
to disagree in friendship. | have read
The ANTI MoNoPoLIsT faithfully since
its first copy was issued. and failed to
see wherein its Ieditor has said aught
against the Grange. know he has said
the Grange was failing yes; and was a
failure. Is 1t not? Has it not been de-
creasin Q for two years faster than it ever
increased? Then why the harm? Why
try to hide this9 Would you deceive the
people, Deal with them honorably il
you would win them back.
But, on the other hand. sir, in my
opinion if the Grange had followed the
advice OF Mr.. Donnelly, and few 9TH
ers. in regard to mixing the Grange
with politics as you style it, your Grange
would now have been great and pow.
eriul organization, respected and hon
ored by all even the great monied kings
would have been forced to bow to your
influence. But party-tiesi Yes, you
cling to your party as drowning man
clings to snag in the bottom of deep
lake, and with as little wisdom.
But to come to the political point
what was the object of the Grange? A:
| understand it, it was the agricultural
classes uniting and organizing for co.
operation and protection. That is, those
we're the two greatest objects, and pro-
lection the greatest. If this be so, then
the question arises what are the obsta.
cles and burdens that counteract oul
prosperity, whereby it becomes neces
sary to unite for self-protection They
are many / think, but the most danger
ous and effective are rings. monopolies,
and class-legislation. Those three are
the greatest and the hardest to contend
with, and they make our progress slow
a1d uncertain and our lite burden ;
then what is our remedy? There is only
one, and that is through the ballot box.
We must meet our enemies in their own
element; we must influence legislation ;
and if that will not do we must nominate
and unite in supporting our nomina-
tions. We have but one chance, unite
or die. We need not become political
party in IN odious partisan sense. put
only 80 far is necessary to protect oDr
own interests.
Now, itis . self-evident tact, that when