The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-10
Number II.

party, why not do it? But let us not allow
ourselves to be further misled by promises
and trickery, to secure our votes and in
fluence, the result of which NAV only
hasten the time when the chains of bond
age upon us and our children will be more
securely fastened for all time to come.
But suppose political parties will con-
tinue to do as they have done in the past.
bid us fall into line at the sound of the
partisan bugle, and patiently submit to the
dictation of politicians and corporations
as usual, while they in turn ignore and
trample under foot our interests. oul just
claims and demands. Then 1vkaf is to be
done2 We are politely told that farmers
should not go into politics. Oh, no; they
should continue to remain quiet and re-
tired, pay the taxes for themselves and
Others produce the food to feed the nation.
and the wealth to enrich the moropolies
and corporations. Yes, we can toll in
heat and in cold, in sunshine and storm,
while the favored manage politics, legisla-
ton, hold offices, draw high salaries and
grow rich out of our earnings.
1t is for farmers themselves to say how
ong these things shall continue. We have
sked for fish and they gave us stone. If
parties will do no more for us now than
they have in the past, then where is our
hope of reliefe Is it not about time that
the farmers should have a voice in naming
the public servants, and especially repre-
sentatives for the legislatures, State and
National? We need not expect justice
nor relief until we do select men from our
own class to represent us in the State
legislatures and Congress. Ii we can not
accomplish good results in our political
parties let us do as others have done-say'
for instance, as did the National banking
association two years ago. They sent out
circulars saying ''elect representatives, who
are with us, and for our interest, and II
this can not be done in the parties, then
let the parties 90 and see to it that indie
pendent men are elected in our interest,
ETC. Farmers are no more bound to po-
litcal parties than bankers and if they can
let them go we can. If parties will not
give US our honest dues, but play thimble
into the hats of the moneyed corporations,
we had better let them go to the dogs than
to give them increased power to enslave
us. The sense of honor, the elevated
manhood of farmers as well as justice and
equity demand that we act like free men,
claim our rights, and act wisely in the
discharge of every political duty, accord
ing to the dictates of our consciences, and
give less heed to selfish partisanism and
| to the partisan leaders.
1t is for the farmers to say whether or
not the next State Legislature, both Sen
ate and House OF Representatives shall
have clear majority OF farmers or not.
| Whether we elect farmers, or politicians
| to Congress- In the election of these re-
rresentatives rests our only hope and we
| should see to it that the best men of our
own class are brought to the front and
then go to work and elect them. We can
do this and we should either do this, or for
ever hereafter hold our peace about farm
ers' burdens, farmers wrongs, farmers oP-
preston. farme $ neglect, farmers abuse,
and fold our hands quietly f r the shack e,
execute and deliver a qui, claim OF all rights
and pr yieges, now and forever, that our
children may know that it was by the
wilful acts of their own parents that they
have become the slaves of selfish partisans
and serfs in their own land, in the interest
and for the benefit of the m ,ney gods of
the once free America.
Partisans may call this politics in the
Grange" so as to hinder Grange progress.
But let them call it what they please, it is
nevertheless true and is good sound
doctrine. Had political parties always
been managed upon principles like these,
we would not have been compelled to
take up the principles adopted by the
revolutionary fathers. We would have
saved thousands of lives that were sacri-
feed during our civil war, and instead of
having every farm mortgaged with
bonded Indebtedness, we would be free
from debt and to-day be happy, prosper
Gus people.
If the farmers can stop the tide of cor
ruption and restore Justice to all mankind,
may the God of American freedom speed
the day. Whether it is agreeable to cor
porations and politicians or not let equity
and justice reign though all political par
! ties fall