The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-03
Part1ZaniSm and Farmer Int.
rests.

BY H. ESHBAUGH, MASTER OF THE
MISSOURI STATE GRANGE.
The duties and sponsibilities
resting upon farmers politically, as
well as their rights and privileges,
are evidently receiving close atten
ton and thought We have received
many letters from Patrons, and far
mers not Patrons, during the past
six weeks, upon these questions,
with earnest requests to give our
views concerning them. ~hirk -
VIII aTTenpt 20 DO in this and our
succeeding article 1t is we'll that
farmers begin to give more heed to
these important questions, for they
have much too long neglected them.
Under the former mode of farm life,
when the farmers read but little and
thought less, they became inactive
and trusted their all to others. Pc
litical affairs of all parties, and the
affairs of government, were man
aged and controlled by other classes
and for other interests, and often by
self constituted leaders whose only
ambition was self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
to obtain power and wealth,
which was their prime object. So
patiently have the farmers and lab
oring masses consented to all this by
their inactivity, that partisan lead
ers, tricksters, demagogues and Shy
locks believed that there could be
no end to their nefarious schemes.
They acted as though they were the
few favorite ones born to bid and
rule, and the masses compelled to
obey and follow their bidding. lo
But these Grange schools have
opened the long blinded eyes of the
farmers, and, as the educational
work progresses, they realize that
conventions, elections and legisla
ton are controlled by selfish parti-
sanism for money making purposes,
extracting the profits and advanta-
ges of all industry, thereby robblng
it of its Just rewards, and, to add in
/ Jury to insult, making it bear the
heat and burdens of the day, while
others are exempt from bearing even
their own burdens, as the result OF
selfish partisan legislation. The
Grange has politely called the atten-
ton of State and National legisla
tors to the error of selfish, favorite
legislation, and to the injustice they
were doing to the producing classes
how it was robbing them not only
of the profits of their labor, but in
thousands of instances of their CAPT
tai also. The Grange has earnestly
asked political parties and legisla
tors to correct the many errors ano
i shape legislation and the affairs O
| government in the interest of al
classes and to the general welfare o
the whole people. In no instance
has the farmers organization beer
SO selfish as to ask favors or legisla
ton in the interest of the farmer
at the sacrifice of any other interes
or class. They have asked but 70
simple Justice to all classes and al
interests. Platforms have been re
peatedly made to please the indus
trial classes, promises as repeated,
made to satisfy them for the tim
being, and have as often been dis
regarded and violated;' and legisla
ton as well as affairs of government
90 unchanged. Instead of giving
relief to the farmers, their burden
are increased from year to year unit
their investments have become un
profitable and their labor withou
reward, when compared with othe
investments.
Is there any wonder, then, tina
the farmers complain and inquir
what they shall do? They reallz