The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-08-09
FARMERS ORGANIZING.


the notes of preparation for the political
contests of the future. The farmers, where
they have given proper attention to public
affairs, are becoming thoroughly aroused
to the importance, the imperative necessi-
ty, of organizing to secure their righttui
share of representation in the Legislative
department of government, both State
and National. In Missouri, this spirit is
gathering force and strength all over the
/ State: and in some counties in Mississippi,
the farmers are already organizing for the
avowed purpose of electing men to the
Legislature who will vote for a farmer
for u. S. Senator.
This determination of farmers in this
State to organize in politics has carried
CONSERVATION to the professional politi-
clans, who have heretofore controlled the
organization of parties and the nomina-
ton of candidates. They are alarmed at the
evident purpose of the farmers to unite
to elect farmer to the u. S. Senate, and
not only advise them of the unheard OF
folly of such a course, but prophecy that
utter ruin to all classes will be the
speedy and inevitable result. They al
most threaten that, if this course is per-
sisted in, the professional politicians, the
LAWYERS, editors, ETC., will abandon the
i Democratic party and allow the Radicals
to sweep the State! Very well; let them
DO It. The. lawyer politicians, merchants,
| Al L. II. oil
the Democratic party-farmers, working
men, and all-and the result has been that
lawyers and other professional politicians
are invariably elected to Congress and the
farmers never thought of except where
they have had the spirit to organize and
take control of the nominating conven-
tons. 1t is the opinion Of many intelli-
gent and patriotic farmers that the Dem
ocratic party controlled by lawyer politi-
clans and their tools is not whit better
than the Radical party. Farmers have
no rights in either.
1t is quite true, that the professional
politicians do not organize as lawyers, or
merchants-it would not be good policy
for them to do so-but they carry their
point nevertheless. They have control of
Congress and State Legislatures, and they
intend to keep it. 1t will not do to say
that it is accidental, or that there are no
farmers competent to represent the peo-
pie in the Legislature or in Congress.
There is not Legislature or delegation to
Congress but could be mproved-vastly
improved-by the substitution of a major
ity of farmers for the professional politi-
clans.
The professional politicians will make
great noise if the farmers persist in their
purpose to send a farmer to the u. S. Sen
ate But we feel sure that all their noise and
threats will not brighten the farmers
or cause them to halt one moment in the
work of organization. They have rights
and interests that imperatively demand
representation in both houses of Congress-
The great and growing industry of Agri-
culture must have some protection from
the oppre ssions of other interests; it needs
and must have the fostering care of the
Federal Government; and the history of
the past warns its votaries that they can
not look for justice and protection from
other classes. The farmers have no other
alternative but to organize, take control
OF the State Legislatures, and send men
of their own to the u. S. Senate, as well
er House who will represent their senti-
/
ments and protect their interests.
! Wherever farmers have the spirit and
intelligence to organize, they have no
trouble in getting a fair show of the coun-
ty offices. But because they have many
of these offices, in some counties MAORI
ty of them, that is no reason why they
J, should not take control Of the Legislature
J and send farmer to the u. S. Senate
or farmers to the Lower House.
The professional politicians in Califor-
mia, backed by all the political papers,
tried hard to prevent the union of the
farmers and the workingmen of the towns
and cities. They abused the leaders of the
new movement most shamefully and mis-
I represented their objects; but the people
were thoroughly aroused, and came to-
gether and swept the State by an over
whelming majority. This can be done in
Mississippi. The farmers and working
men comprise a large majority of the
Democratic party. Why cannot they get
together, crush the professional politicians
take control Of the party and nominate
and elect good and true representative
men to the important Offices?
Dick Hardcase thinks the Grange is
HIM, huor haco,ca - X,,;u - 80 -. : =.