The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-03-04
4 Earnlers, Moses.

" lStL SAitto SiiS' t'SA
by the general tenor Of Mr.. Tillman'S
letters, have been made to believe that
they have been wrongcd and that they
must organize and select Il Moses to
lead them out OF all their troubles to Il
rich and fertile land. The hardness Of
the times, their financial condition and
deprivation of educational facilities,
have been paraded as signs of oppres-
sion; and their number and wealth
have been cited as Indications Of their
power to control, and the taxes they
pay, given as title to all the privileges
enjoyed by other professions. Now,
we believe these are fancied wrongs,
and, if they exist at all, exist only in
the minds of those who wish to ride
into power on the backs of the people
they wish to lead, and this would be q
greater wrong than any yet .enumerat-
eddy them. We readily concede that
the farmers labor under financial
troubles; but the mechanic, lawyer and
physician suffer from the very same
cause and these pay their taxes as well.
If, therefore, one is an oppressed class
so are all. oppressed and we stand eX-
actly in the same category. This, then,
beingethe case, we cheerfully join in
the farmers movement and will use
every effort to secure relief from trou-
bles which afflict all classes of our citi-
zens alike. AS we understand the
situation, know the causes and feel the
effects, relief may be obtained by sup
plying the following needs: cheaper
and quicker justice, less crime, multi
piled industries, increasein che amount
and value Of farm products, improve
ment in educational and transportation
facilities. Everybody wants these and
whatever class of men is able to bring
them about will confer lasting bless
ings upon the entire community. BY
virtue of their number, wealth and
experience in close economy, the far
mers, rs a class, are better calculated to
accomplish these results than any other;
but 1t cannot be done except by the CO.
operation of all the individuals in the
class. Let them meet in State Con-
vention to calmly consider general
topics and to adjust local with general
issues, and when they have perfected u
plan, if it he wise and calculated to ad-
vance the public good, we and every
other good citizen willsupport it to the
extent of our ability. The conserva-
tive and hard common sense of the far
mers expressed through such a Con-
yention can do no possible harm to
anybody or class of our citizens; be-
cause the Agricultural interest of the
State is the key stone of every other
interest. Knock that out the fabric,
and the prosperity of ministers, physi-
clans, lawyers. mechanics, clerks, mer-
chants and even editors fall in one
common ruin.
Farmers constitute the conservative
element of the State-they are the de-
mocracy of South Carolina and is their
right to speak to the people without
being dictated to by any other element
in the community. No charge Of
treason, heresy or conspiracy can lodge
at their door, if this convention meet
and discuss the politics Of the State, not
as political partisans, or faction, but
rs the Democracy Of the State-the
conservative element of it. Good
would naturally result, for what will
conduce to the prosperity Of the far
mer, will conduce to the prosperity of
every profession. Besides this, the
farmer would learn their true position
and strength, and this alone would
lead to better feelings among all call
ings and classes.