The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-05-04
Organization Among Farmers.


This subject appears to be but i'm
perfectly understood by the public, or
at least large part of the public. The
opinion has got into the popular mind
that organization means banding to-
gether for some, not altogether repu
table purpose, but such is not the OBJ
ject to be accomplished by the organ
ization of farmers. but the very reverse.
Their organization is for the purpose
of preventing or disarming for evil
such unholy alliances amongst others.
The main object to be gained by the
association of farmers under well de.
vised plan or system of rules, is educa-
tion, not textbook education as in the
school room. but familiar acquain-
lance with public business, especially
with questions of puplic interest which
are most closely related to agriculture.
AS matters of public nature have
been managed, the average farmer
knows very little about them and the
wiley professional politician has made
a cats paw of the farmer to forward
his selfish ends. This should not be
allowed to continue. The public feel
ing is against this pernicious system,
and the cry ia, send farmers to the leg
islature, and to Congress, and place
them in this office and that office.
But what does it avail to place men in
office who know nothing about the
duties of the Office, it matters not how
honest they may be in purpose or how
sterling their integrity. If they are
ignorant of what pertains to their du-
ties they must depend on some other
person to assist them. Hence the lob
byest and wiley politician had rather
have the typical honest farmer' in
official stations when he knows moth
ing of their duties, than any other.
Through his ignorance he is readily
managed and tempted or beguiled.
Hence the main object in pushing the
organization of farmers is that they
may become familiar with public af-
fairs and be able to act intelligently
when placed in positions of public
trust and responsibility. A man Who
bag no knowledge of the controlling
principles of the political party to
which he belongs, in fact only can dis
criminate between it and other political
parties by its name. is very poor citi
zen to entrust with the elective fran
chise or the duties of an Office. He
hears about s'trusts" and monOpolies
forming on every hand, but has but a
. vague conception of their powers and
purposes, or how his interests are affect
ed by them. To familiarize him with
these new questions, now pressing for
solution, and fit him to assume control
of public affairs in county, state and
nation is the fundamental object OF
those who seek to bring farmers closer
together when they can be taught and
learn the lessons of such paramount
importance to their welfare, and hav-
ing familiarized themselves with pub
lie men and measures, be in a position
to act in concert and compel obedience
to their will.
Farmers have the numerical
strength, they own the wealth in prop.
erty and are SO situated as to be indie
pendent of the pressure from corpora
tons and other combinations and only
lack the information in public affairs
and the concert of action to free them
selves from three-fourths of the taxes
they pay and shape public measures as
they desire.