Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1889-12-07
900 PEk AN .=slazzzzals,s
REORGANIZATION.
ClarksVlll written and said

sszzza.ssseed, the farmers organi-
or labor union; its objects and
zsns, and the business of its cause.
ut must be observed that we live in
an age Of organization; men organize
for themselves, some individually,
some IN syndicates, Others in com
binations, 10 protect or control hush
ness circles We have organization
and counter-organizations. None of
these organizations purpose the
greatest good to The greatest number,
but are created to advance indi-
vidual speenlations, or interest at the
expense Of the multitude, or to Sc
cure protection or advantages in a
common business. In this respect
the intellect of this country has been
9harpened and brought into play, to
an extent that is an abandonment of
all ideas OF legitimate practices in the
past. Whether to secure a corner i'm
the necessities of life; combine to
control the market, or trust to put
prices up, it is of necessity an e fort
by extraordinary means to secure an
advantage over the multitude I'M
organized. So oppressive have these
practices become that the millions
have been forced to hunt for means
to counteract them. Hence, we
have the farmers organization for
self-protection by and for those who
constitute the majority of consumers
as well as produces, who have been
necessarially the victims of modern
organization. 1t is not strange that
this organization should be atapo-
nized in many quarters ard by
many people because its effect tends
20 counteract the selfish effort TO
prey upon the unorganized masses.
The farmers organization as
is understood, Undertakes in no
way to invade other legitimate
channels of business. 1t does not seek
to corner the money market, the pro
duce market, or to squeeze the life
out OF those engaged in manufacture
ing enterprise. 1t seeks to promote
the idea that the laborer is worthy of
his hire, and to secure to the muscle
and brain of the country its fair share
OF the benefits that legitimately re
suit from community of avocations
and Interests. Its purpose is to an
tagonize sharp practices in business,
operations planned for great acquisi-
nons, segst used PIX or unconscionable Oh.
pressions; and the methods resorted
to by the farmers to checkmate such
practices, cannot be fairly or Justly
criticised.
The object Of this union as we un-
derstand, is to educate its members
and those similarly engaged, up in
their pursuits, promote general edu-
cation, circulate information, as to all
facts efecting quantity, quality, value
and demand for agricultural prod.
ucts; secure for its class the nccessi-
ties OF lie, at legitimate prices; dis
countenance, and if possible break az
all efforts at concentrating the wealth
CT the country in the hands ola few.
TO be doled out to the masses, made
pauperS at their discressicn. 1t can
not be said that the object is not a
laudlble one, nor that they are not
Justified in forming such an organiza-
ton and in carrying it to any lawful
extent III securing its object. Ifother
organizations are protected by law in
their rights to form such combina-
tons to prey upon the unorganized |
masses, as Mi. Blain says they are,
then the farmers and labores union is
Justified in resorting to the ballot box
for change in the law, putting
themselves upon an equality ofrights
with other people.
Tho GTae-oco