Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-01-16
The Agricultural Wheel.
Nashville American.

Nashville American.
In The American of the 18th of De-
cember, we mentioned the fact that
new association called the Agricultu-
raj Wheel had been organized by the
farmers of Henry, Carroll, WeakIey
and other counties in West Tennessee.
The objects of this association as set
forth in the constitution are:
/. TO unite in a fraternal bond of
union all acceptable white males who
are engaged in the occupation of farm
ing. II
2. To give all possible moral and
material aid to its members and those
depending on them, by having in
structive lectures and encouraging
one another in business.
3. The improvement ofits members
in the theory and practice of agricul-
ture and the dissemination of know
ledge relating to rural affairs.
4. To ameliorate the condition of
farmers in every possible way.
5. Resistance to monopolies is also
named.
These are worthy aims and deserve
the encouragement of every will
wisher of his country. There is need
for such an organization. We do not
believe that a farmer can benefit him
self so much in any other way at such
a small cost to himself as by an intel
ligent interchange of opinions with
his neighbors concerning those things
in which he is vitality interested.
1t is lamentable to see the bread
winners of the country reduced to
such straits that they are often unable
to meet the legitimate demands of
society, while monopolists can ride
in gilded carriages and snap their
fingers in scorn at the artisan and
tiller of the soil. The whole policy
of our Government is based upon the
supposition that accumulated capital,
or organized capital, must be protect
ed, even at the expense of labor.
Bonds are free; labor is taxed. A
system of cunningly devised laws has
made the farmer, the machanic and
the toiling laborer the unwilling SER
wants of the capitalists and monopo-
lists of the country. Nominally liv-
ing under a free Government, the
farmers are taxed by indirection upon
almost everything they purchase.
On the other hand, they have no
voice in fixing the price upon any
thing which they have to sell. A
half dozen capitalists can sit in their
cushioned chairs in parlor in New
York and dictate what the price OF
cotton, tobacco or wheat may be. A
half-dozen railroad magnates can SC
regulate freights as to strip the agri.
culturists of every vestige of profit
upon his products. If any vocation
in this broad land needs the protect
ing and fostering influence of the
Government it is that of agriculture
The farmer has more interest in the
prosperity of the country than any
other class. He stands anchored t.
the soil. Bad laws and heavy taXes
affect him more grievously because
his business is ultimate and all othel
classes can throw back their burden,
upon him.
The farmers of the land should
unite. They would then become al
irresistible power. They could thel
demand from the Government which
they support protection against thu
cormorants who by artful schemes o
legislation deprive them of the profit
of their labor, consuming the flesl
and generously throwing to them tn,
bone. They lay the golden egg, blu
another enjoys it; they SOW labor bu
reap no profits; they feed the world
but are scantily fed themselves. TIL
influence of corporations is dali.
widening, and like the exhalation O
an upas tree, they are paralyzing agri
cultural industry everywhere, blight
ing and whitening the spirit ofpatriot
ism and substituting the labor of tn
land.
Let the farmers organize. The,
need it for their own protection; tn
country needs such organizations as
reservoir of conservatism and patriot
ism; the best interests of humanit
will be subserved by such societies.
Organization.