The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-06-26
AGRICULTURE AND POLITICS

of public abuses, and particularly of
the abuses growing out of the prac.
tees of the railroads and insurance
companies, is only a cunning way of
protesting against the investigation
and discussion of these matters by the
farmer, and in favor of leaving the
solution of all these problems in the
hands of men who make politics their
trade. Disguise it as they may, it
means this and no more. It means
that the class that has the most vital
pecuniary interest in this matter shall
take it's cue and be directed by those
that not only have the least Legitimate
interest, but are most liable to have an
illegitimate and wrongful interest in
it in the way of "courtesies," which
is the courteous way of saying "passes,"
or in concessions, rebates and discrim-
nations in favor of business with
which they may be connected. If the
farmer is not to have the farm-ward
side of these questions presented in
his agricultural paper, where will he
have it presented If it is presented
anywhere it must be by a paper whose
supreme interest is in the farm, that
lives by it and from it, and that views
all public questions from that stand
point. What paper is qualified to do
this but the agricultural paper? The
railroads have some of the ablest
journals in the land devoted wholly to
their interests. They mold and shape
legislation. Where the interests of
the farmers and the present managers
of railroads clash, what paper can
present his side of the question but the
agricultural paper?
We r glad to see many agricul-
tural papers taking their proper posi-
ton in this matter, a position of pecu-
liar power and influence, and to illus
trate this movement we quote the fol-
lowing from the Kansas Farmer. A
correspondent, no doubt some local
politician, had written as follows:
Can't you let politics alone and
write and publish your good and
valuable paper for the farmers, no
matter what party we belong to?
To this the editor replies in a spirit
that bodies well for the future of the
great State of Kansas:
Yes, we could let politics alone. We
could send out a paper every week
that would have about as much force
in it as a last years almanac. We
could fill up the paper about routine
work on the farm, about blowing,
planting, marketing; about raising
stock and growing fruits and veget
ables, never saying a word about o
porate extortion, nothing about cor
ruption in politics; not a word about
taxation, high salaries, or the low
price of farm products; never once in
timating that %corportions and trusts
are drinking up the lfe-blood of the
people, and never suggesting that
taxes are unnecessarily high, nor pro-
any remedy. Yes, we could
send out a lifeless paper. We could
show by u want of vigor that we
care nothing at all about the very
which do most of all concern
the farmers. But what would such a
paper be worth !? What member of
Congress would care to know what it
contains :? What influence would
such a paper have anywhere? What
effect would it have on public opinion
any subject :? Who has any respect
for the judgment of a man without
opinions !? Does the writer of that
letter have no interest in public
Does he not want the inter
ests of agriculture looked after in
public places, and especially in legisla-
tive councils? Is he ready to aban-
don his own people and let organized
avarice run rough-shod owe the
It is a very notable fact that the
agricultural papers that are prosper.
ing to-day and moving rapidly to the
front in material prosperity and moral
influence are the papers that are tax
ing hold of these problems with
patient study, with wonderful vigor,
and in the spirit of a broad statesman
ship. They have won by this course
not only the confidence of the farmers,
but their enthusiastic support, and, at
the same time, the profound respect
the politicians who subscribe for
Ind read papers of this class that they
may know the current of popular
movements. The farmer has long
wanted an advocate and defender.
We are glad to e the agricultural
press beginning to occupy the position
That belongs to it as a birthright and