The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-30
THE GRANGE.
National Lecturers DEPARTING

the Union; but it should not be dull
season out among those upon whose
actions moao depends so much in our
country. We are apt to find fault
with our Legislatures and with Con-
gress, with our Representatives and
our Senators; but whose fault is it that
they do not represent US? 1t is really
the fault Of the people themselves, and
as farmers are in the majority they are
most to blame. The people are the
great first cause in our republic. If
the spring is not clear, and pure, and
strong, how can the stream be health
full? IF the foundation stones be not
well laid, how can the superstructure
ever stand? The people are now max
ing Legislators, Representatives and
Senators. 10 the "cauc u.s." the
primary" is the beginning, Careful
attention here. and alps well. Indiffer-
ence, neglect here, permitting wire
pullers, and the agents of corporations,
monopolies, and others of their class to
get in their work, and the convention
is not "of the people," the candidates
are not "of the people" the Legislature
is not "of the people, and it does not
elect U. s, Senator "of the people"
or "for the people, aud our legislation
is not "for the people," Think on
these things, fellow farmers, and help
make good Legislators, Congressman
and Senators; then will We have ga
government of the people, for the peo-
pie, and by the people," NoU is the
appointed time.
The position of the grange in poll
tics is often misunderstood, often
mlsrepresented. AS an organization
Of farmers it does not propose to organ
;ze grange party, or to use its infu-
ence to build up any one party. Even
the discussion or partisan politics is
prohibited in its meetings. Yet its
principles "underlie all true politics"
Through its great educational advan-
tages it is making the farmer better
citizen. 1t makes better Democrats,
better Republicans, better men in all
parties. 1t is pointing out to the farm
er voter his true course of action, that
he is not only the balance of power,
but the power itself, in all parties, and
that it is his right, his duty, to use
that power in his own party for the
good of his class and the good of his
country.
The grange is educating the Ameri.
can farmer to so understand his rights
and duties as citizen that he can, and
will, stand up in the caucus, or primary
meeting, or in the convention of bis
own party, and demand justice, equal.
ity, ga fair field and no favors," but at
the same time not to be a blind part.
san, blind captive to "machine." nor,
"like dumb, driven CATTLE" to be used
under the party lash toadvance men or
measures, right or wrong, The grange
believes there are growing evils in our
country to be checked, reform legisla.
ton to be obtained, and it is teaching
the American farmer that it is his duty
to help in the great and patriotic work;
to 90 it inside his own party if he can,
outside if he must.
AS educated by the grange, the farm
er who insists upon better class of
candidates in his own party is doing
his work towards having better class
of candidates in all parties. He is
taught in the grange to see that 'none
but faithful, competent and honest
men are nominated for all positions of
trust, men who will unfinchipgly stand
by our industrial interests"
Farmers are coming to understand
that all evils of unjust laws, unequal
taxation, the growing power of corpo-
ratious, "trusts" and the forms of
monopoly under which they are labor.
ing are the results of legislation, and
that the same means used to bring
about these evils must be used to cor.
rect them, viz: legislation. From
want of proper interest in legislation,
others have made Legislatures and
Congresses, and they in turn have
made the laws, granted the privileges
that enable them to place the burdens
now bearing SO unequally and unfairly
upon the great producing classes-oi
our land. Our sins are those of omis
sion, neglect of duty. The grange
points out the evil and the remedy.
Will farmers all soon see the light?
No,o is the appointed time.