The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-26

Quce OF the IdTUlcT, duu wv
fruits of his toll and labor. -,
How long shall this be? How long VIII
this immense majority of respectable ana
Industrious men consent to be ruled over,
trampled on, and oppressed by such lnslg-
~nifcant minorities? How can we tree our
selves from such despotlsm, such tyranny :
How can we command respect tor our Gaining
and consideration for our cause. no" fah
we hope to take our place III the front rank
of the nation. to sit in the seats OF honor
and of trust. and to stand in the halls OF
legislation to proclaim our wants, and de-
mand our rights? How can we hope to
relieve ourselves of the burdens OF unequal
taxation? How can we remove the statutes
of unfriendly legislation?
There Is one way, PLAIN, certain, sure.
ORGANIZER Organization IS the magic
sesame that will unlock to the oppressed and
down-trodden farmer places of rank and OF
honor, and disclose to his enraptured vision,
be up and doing. Work while our holiday
is here. Let US come together as workers
i'm a common cause; let US make "a long
pull-a strong pull, and a pull altogether;
Let us but do this, and oar influence, the
organtzed farmers influence, will be courted
in every political convention that meets .he
coming year, from the one that nOmlnateS
the candidate for our Chief Magistrate down
to the one that names the smallest county
official. United we will exert an influence
in political circles and in the legislation of
the country more beneficial to US than all the
good we realize from the saving OF a few
dollars through the channels OF our trade
relations. To remove ~unfriendly and enact
favorable legislation for the great cause OF
Agriculture is, we verify believe, the grand
-...u ~ IL oroo4 lo4,,, - o,,r (lr1nr
Not that we propose to bring politics into
the Grange, but rather to carry the Grange
into politics. We want to see the farmers
interest the leading feature In the platform
of each political party. We have heard too
much about protective tariffs and manufac-
tories; too much about donations of public
lands to railroad companies; too much about
shlp-bulldlng, and cod fisheries.
We want legislation to protect the farm, to
encourage the production of cotton, of corn,
of tobacco, of grass and of meat legislation
to equallze taxation, to make the bond
holders and the mighty railroad corporations
to pay a tax and bear as well as we some OF
the burdens of government. Just SO soon
as We, as an organized body, take a united
stand in primary political conventions
demanding a recognition of our rights and
redress of our wrongs, we will exercise such
a control in the formation of platforms and
the nomination of candidates, that our
power will be felt in the halls of legislation,
and we shall then realize the fulfllment of
our desires, and the accomplishment of our
object.
Realizing the great importance of such a
union, |, as Master of the State Grange of
7. of H., do earnestly request all former
members who have departed from us, that
they return again within gates; and as a
farmer | appeal to my brother farmers to
unite with and aid us in a common cause.
w. III. CHEEK,
Master n. C. State Grange p. of H.