The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-03-05
Politics in the Farmers Clubs.

In our issue Of February 10th, We published
an excellent article from q Texas Farmer to the
Home and Farm, under the head Of A Plea for
Organization The closing words of this strong
appeal to the farmers of the South were:
Let us be as band of brothers, work to-
gether, reason together, buy what We need to-
gether, and sell what we produce together, and
let us not mix politics religion with the or
ganization.'
We gave the article our most cordial appro-
baton, and urged the necessity for such organ
| ization, but opposed the political element that
many are attempting to infuse into Farmers
Clubs in this State.
he closes by saying:
Tho rose-colored idea of farmers clubs hav-
ing nothing to do with politics is 10 inconceivably
| absurd and ridiculous, and so transparently the
wish of those who are not their friends, that no
comment from me is required
Mr.. Rice appears to arrogate to himself the
sole championship of the farmers of this county,
and evidently assumes that all who do not agree
with him in the details of organization are not
| the friends of farmers or farmers clubs.
Mr.. Rice, in assuming so much, weakens his
| own position. For nearly forty years we have
devoted our means and our best judgment to the
enlightenment of the agricultural class Of the
State and the advancement of every agricultu-
| raj interest of the South and we do not believe
now that the farmers of Union are willing to
accept Mr.. Rice's assertion that are not their
friend, merely because we cannot look upon the
remedy for their present grievances from his
political standpoint.
1t may appear rose-colorel, inconceivably
absurd and ridiculous to Mr.. Rice that farmers
clubs, as clubs, should have nothing to do with
politics, but to every man who has no axe to
grind and can fully appreciate the present des.
titute and dependent condition of nine-tenths Of
the farmers Of Union county, and the urgent
necessity for speedy relief, it is supremely ri
diculous to ask them to await relief through the
slow and uncertain channel of politics.
Admit politics into the Farmers Clubs md
you open the door of the clubs for political
aspirants, demagogues and all other disoordant
elements which ever have and ever will distract,
disorganize and ultimately ruin every social or
beneficial organization.
If wo thought for moment that politics
would insure 70 the planters quarter of cent
more for cotton, improve the soil, introduce an
improved system of farming, cause the farmers
to raise more corn, oats, wheat mules, hogs, ETC.,
and to be more Independent of merchants, capi-
talists and other artificial pursuits we would
say, by all means let the clubs be political or
carnations. But we cannot think so and
ridiculous and absurd as it may appear to Mr..
Rice, in the adoption of the bylaws Of the
Farmers Club Of Union County, the members
very wisely, we think, coincided with US by
| adopting the following
Rule V.-No religious or political questions
shall be introduced into any address, essay
or discussion in the meetings of the Club nor
shall personalities be INDUCED in, or harsh Ian
guage be used in regard to individuals organi-
zatons, public officials, newspapers. The
sole object of the Club being improvement in
ti.- L.--lndea and rrnmOtion Of q successful
agriculture, all personal and political differences
should be ignored in seeking this end