Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-08-13
Tnomohts for Farmers

Timely Thoughts for Farmers.
From The y. y 1ribunol
Ii is little too easy TO laugh at the
Socialist, as Mr. Howitt's committee and
the audience did on Saturday Socialistic
notions are very lsughable, it is true, but
it is sad fact that q great many persons
in this enlightened country hold these
same absurd notions. Moreover, tho
number is not perceptlbly diminishing;
to all appearances. ii increases These
people are not convinced by rldicule, how
ever much it may be deserved IN over
turning of society, which seems only
laughable to others. seems eminenty de-
sirable to them, and political effort maln-
" directed by q sincere iesireto accomplish
changes which appear 10 most moo 10 the
last degree absurd. ] there were 10 he
considered only the few who logically
ayow hostility TO the whole established
order of things, ridiculc would be- a, -p-
propriate as it is easy Unfortunately
behind them are muuludos Of voters, gno
10 not as got push theories 10 logical
conclusions, but VINO are nevertheless
constantly influenced by Jhc very notions
to which the Socialists only give ,ul aud
free expression. Il Is not a laughing
matter, but o very sombJo fact. u4,
great body of voters ia ,his country n4s
come 70 consider that they axe wgong.d
By the exercise Of rights OF property ~
individuals. chat there is some gross iu-
Justice ia the possession OF large property
by d few nDd little or no property hy tac
many; aud that thc poor majority Aas
some sort Of right 70 RESIST payments U.
money 'oa1ci, OF OF interest thereon,
and 10 demand that the power OF Gov
egnment shall be employed 60 ca. down
the profits Of 'ho rich sud 90 increase the
Incomes Of ,he poor
Until recently IL has been the general
belief that ihe great number Of farm
owners IN this country would form M
cfco,ull barrier agaiu-. any assault upon
rishs.of property Bg, {, has come 20
pss. that macy farmo- have adopted
ideas es-ntjal'y communists in two rc-
spccts 4 very large number OF then.
desire population Of local or national ia-
do5icdae.s a arg number also, want
initiation Of the currency 10 order to Sc
cure higher nominal prices ior land
of products The fact Of that on0r-
nous sales of breads,uds abroad arc
effected only because the prices here are
low, and that the farmers themselycs
would be the chief sufferers il imitation
should 80 raise prices as to check exports.
does not have weight with them. Meth
er 10 they rightly estimate the enormous
losses Of a community which result from
rcpddiation Of It's debts These farmers
think only OF immediate gails-lishtcr
taxes aud higher priccs-and they h1d
themselves IN lnnatural alliance with So
calists who are as hostile 10 ownership Of
land as to ownership Of bonds, and whose
real purpose is to destroy the savings OF
all who have accumulated property, and
to place on level ia rewards the SHIFT
less spondthrtt and the mos thrifty and
eutcrprisiug accumulation OF wealth
The farmer, are likely TO be the CHIEF
sufferers from the prevalence OF commun-
is;ic notions Moncy-lcaders can pro'c,
themselves. and when 1lebased public
opinion and debauchgd laws give them
protection, they levy the heavier tax
upon ;Ae community which .0oli,h.y tries
TO plumber them Dealers, brokers and
merchants also have q certain power OF
sc.tprot,cticn, which obey are not SOW
to exercise But the farmers, who ar
tac owners of &. great part OF the Tca
estate, have 10 pay the larger share q
the increased taxes which bad faith liz
c,.tab.y causes, aud as producers u the
article. which arc most affected "a price
b. increase u foreign demand they suite.
more than anybody else from imitation OF
currency ar hope Of imitation. To what
ever yxteu. sac Ideas OF Socialists proya.
H. ;Ai county, the Grm-owLers viii pay
much or Che cost, AM the help which
some oil them arc giving TO schemes o.
republication and initiation sill. brin5 great
er loss UPON them than upon auy c-hc.
class Of citizens. It would De wei II al.
the farmers ia the country could read
with ear. che Wild statements made 10y
Socialists before .bo Congressional Cou-
mi,,oe Sensible property owners would
dad therein Jess occasion .lr .augl-t.
thlu t INDIGNATION.