The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-04-30
THE FARMER IN 4PoL1T1cs.

TT NH N0t3OnGt Ec0HOH1tSts q
( established in Washington, D. c.,
the National organ of the Farmers
Alliance, and one Of the ablest OF
Anneroana journals, discussing the
relation Of the farmers. of the country
to the political parties, says:
"a partisan policy that will keep
one half of the farmers of the country
opposing the other half upon issues
of minor Importance that have been
magnifed by prejudice and falsehood
is a policy that deprives them of all
their political power, leaving them at
the mercy of such classes as are bet
ter organized, and who economize and
apply amuch smaller amount of politi.
cal power, so that it controls the whole
government (
y - = *lCr* *
uThere can never be any compro.
mise between "radical right and radi.
cal wrong. "s31There is no way to
Justify the violation of a true principle
for the sake of policy. But there
can and should be a proper admixture
of sentiment and business, for the
double purpose Oh, rendering business
solid and permanent and e~leyating it
above too great a degree of selfish
ness; and rendering sentiment prac-
teal and useful. The lesson to be
drawn from this is that some kinds of
business that in the past have been
'eminently successful by means of
doubtful agencies should adopt a
higher moral sentiment, that will re-
strain them from accomplishing sue
cess by wrong methods, otherwise It
is only a question of time when they
will have dug their own graves. Other
kinds Of business, and principally agri-
culture, should mingle more business
interests With their political sentiments,
to the end that they may be more
practical and secure conditions calcu-
lated to benefit them in their business.
The great question of the hour, then,
is, How may this be accomplished by
agriculturists The answer is, By
adopting the same maxim in politics
that they have adopted in business,
In things essential untty, and IN all
charity" This has been the
watchword of the Alliance, the Wheel,
and the Union, and is the motto Of
the proposed grand consolidation to
take place at st. Louis next December.
r business organizations for
business purposes, and have done
more to n~eutralize prejudice and mis-
conception in business circles than all
other agencies, and from all appear
ances these organizations have only
just commenced their grand career for.
good, But how may this principle be
applied by farmers to their political
sentiments 2 The answer is, just as
business men would; not by organic.
ing a new party ifsit could possibly be
avoided; not by prostituting their
business organizations by making
them secret political orders-a thing
can never be tolerated under our
present form of government; but by
holding a conference of the different
factions of those interested, with a
view of deciding how much and which
one of the preconceived prejudices
each must give up in order that all
may harmonic on the things essen
tial. In applying this principle as
business farmers they might say: The
very life and prosperity of agriculture
depends on important reforms in the
of finance, transportation, and
and, and agriculturists being divided
On these questions as on all~others, it
becomes necessary for those of each
political party to make some sacrifice
their partisan preferences for the
general good; therefore, as agricul-
we will select a leading agri-
;ulturist, who is known to have the
and good of that class
thoroughly at heart, and who is atrue
md tried Republican, and. one Of the
character who is a Democrat,
rom each of the agricultural States;
his would make a small efficient work
ng body, and might be designated as
farmers political council, and
meet before the country is
again agitated by any political. strife,
md take into consideration the actual
political necessities of the farmer, and
BY so doing indicate what past pets of
it is best for him to sacrifice.
Bylthis method the agricultnEists from.
Ill sections and Of all parties could be;
brought to the support of the measures
most needed. The organized Repub.,,
lean farmers would demand of the
grand old Republican party that she
engraft these needed reforms into her
platform The organized Democratic
farmers of that party would demand
;he engraftment of the same PRINCIPLES