The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-06-04

Mr. EDIroR.-We read, q short while since,
with great interest, q report Of tho proceedings
Of the Farmers Convention, which met in
Columbia, on the Goth Of last April. We were
impressed with the idea, that the meeting was
one Of grave import; rs it was meeting of o
large number Of the respectable citizens of
South Carolina, coming from all parts Of the
State /; to discuss the unfortunate condition OF
the agricultural interests Of the State; and, IL
possible, devise remedy therefor. 1t was,
therefore, matter Of surprise and indignation
that the proceedings, should have been to
some extent, held up to ridicule, by the fippant,
not to say, contemptuous tone Of tho report.
1t goes without saying, that these gentlemen had
o right to hold this meeting, had right to dis
cuss any subject they chose; certainly that of
agriculture, which is of paramount Importance
in the State and politics, as we'll; rs politics and
the interests Of agriculture, inextricably in
terwoven. Then wherefore the slightly sneering
tone Of the report.
The outcry, that "the farmers should not
discus politics." is utterly and foolishly alb
surd. If this be SO, then is the Government
of South Carolina free, only in name. Any
man who says such q thing, is either ignorant
himself, Of the fundamental principle, which
lies at the foundation Of free institutions viz.
that "the people are the source of oil power in
the State" or he takes il for granted, that the
people are densely ignorant Of their rights as
freemen.
1t is new thing in South Carolina, for any
class Of her citizens to be told that "they must
not discuss politics. Even the "Iron Chan
cellor" of Germany, Prince Bismarck, dares
not forbid free discussion of the measures Of
the Government, in the German Empire. If
the right does not belong to the farmers, then
it belongs to no Glars of citizens in the State
IL it is not theirs, then farewell to free institu
tions : And South Carolina has fallen back to
the times of an hundred years ago, when George
the third Of England, warned his colonists, "to
let politics alone that was his business their
business was to develops the resources of the
country"
We had fancied that these days had gone by
forever. But this is precisely the advice now
given to the mass Of the citizens of the State,
when the farmers, (who constitute the great
majority of the people, are warned "not to dis
euss politics"
"Mapy thanks, gentlemen" wo reply, but as
we are freemen, as we are the source of oil
political power in the Commonwealth, rs we
are sovereigns here, and you are rcponsible to
US, not we to you, as We have waited, patiently,
but in vain I; for the fulfllment Of the promises
made in 1876; We propose simply to exercise
our rights, in taking the political affairs Of the
State, into our hands,
That after an hundred years of free govern
ment, administered for the benefit of tho
whole people, any portion of the citizens of
the State should be told "not to discuss politics.
is grave symptom Of the diseased political
condition Of the times, which calls for prompt
remedial measures.
The farmers, have on every ground, a right
to discuss politics as their welfare is, in every
way, inextricably involved in the legislation Of
the State. Just and equitable laws secure the
prosperity of the people. Where the people
are unprosperous, and discontentcd, IN op-
pressive government is the cause Of the trouble.
Never have tho people Of South Carolina mur-
INJURED, when they were fairly dealt with. That
they have risen again in widespread revolt,
against the State Government, as at present
conducted is proof positive that they are suf-
fering under unjust, and oppressive legislation,
and that affairs have reached point, where
Endurance ceases to be virtue"
The farmers are, also, warned mot to an
| tagonize other classes" To this, they answer
promptly; that other classes have not hesitated
to antagonize them without mercy. Must
they give themselves "as sheep to the shearers,
aud like sheep, remain dumb?'' Most as.
suredy, they have right to antagonize any
class which oppresses them, or unjust laws
which have completely prostrated the interests
Of agriculture, thereby reducing themselves
and their families to hopeless poverty. They
are forced to antagonize other classes, or sub.
NIT to wrong, aud gross injustice.
Gov. Thomson, in his address to the Farmers
Convention kindly assured them, (tbe farmers,
that "apprehensions had been entertained, tha,
the Convention, might, in some way, by its
action jeopardizc the welfare of the State -
but that he had entertained no such apprehen.
sions." The farmers are vastly obliged to
Gov. Thomson. 1t is not likely that o man will
set fire to his own house, with his wife and chill
dren in it. Repeatedly since the Farmers Move
ment was inaugurated, have the Farmers Of
the State, been spoken Of, in most singular
way. They are spoken of, as if they constitu.
ted class apart; inferior, ignorant, inca.
pabls and seem TO he regarded in some
quarters, as really o dangerous class ;-some-
thing akin to Anarchists, and Socialists F.! Could
anything be more absurd p
But 'fhe unkindest cut of ALL" was the dose
| Of wisdom, administered to the farmers; in
the shape Of "rye coffee, with sorghum sweet
eningr" Heavens we can but cry out ut
this