Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-02-08
+ Communicated. ]
What Fools We Farmers Are I!


great country there IL none less rocog-
nized in controlling the AFFAIRS OF tins
country than the farmer. There Is no
other class so strong, numerically, and at
the same time no other class as sparsely
represented In governmental affairs. Inc
farmer works from early morn until dewy
eve, and that in the sweat OF his face, ana
AZ reward has plenty to cat and wear
but that ia the limit to most farmers
temporal destiny. Men Of other profess
siops would seorn TO recognize his garb
a. theirs. and IN many cases he is looked
upon with contempt by professionals ~
beneath their common notice. After all
when the elective Offices Of this country
are 10 be filed, these tony gentlemen
usually get the nominations and we IN
tnrn walk or ride TO the polls ana ike
little idiots cast our ballots for these same
gentlemen. Farmers often ride six and
eight miles to lend their suffrage to men
who sometimes would no more recognize
them than a fine looking chr would re-
ceiye their notice. We often allow our
selves 10 be worked up to such ieverish
excitement in the interest of an unrepre-
sentative politician as to often be insult
ing and ungentemanly in our words and
actions, and often we do so TO the detri-
ment of the interests of ourselves IN the
man elected. Now, why don't We remedy
this. and organize ourselves, and agree
among ourselves to work for farmers or
men who will work in the interests OF the
fsrmerf
The farmer pays the greater portion OF
the taxes to the support Of this great
commonwealth, and has less to say IN
controlling the Affairs and receiving pub
lie benefit than any other class. Millions
of dollars are Annually appropriated and
expended for the Improvement of the
great rivers and harbors, and there seems
to DO no end to public buildings for cities,
appropriated out Of public funds. Money
by men void of conscience, is expended IN
experiments of many kinds, signal service
stations, expeditions, gigantic laud
schemes, investigating committees, rall'
roads, national parks. military and naval
expenditures by multiplied millions, pen
sions by no less amounts, appropriations
for the Indians again by millions, and
many other untold expenditures too num-
erous to mention. Money is cut and
slashed INTO and lavished upon almost
every other class and cause and public
condition. but for the improvement of the
farmers interest, notice where $780,
900 was appropriated by Congress to
make a chart Of the sky, for tho gratifica-
ton Of scientific men. If we could get
only such an amount for the improve
ment of country roads for Virginia, il
would he a good thing for MS farmers and
the public generally. Or, # we could get
our supervisors and Legislature to appro-
pirate only $4,000 for this county, farmers
and every body who use county roads at
all would feel wonderfully benefited
But "a il is. we have bad roads and no
prospects Of having them bettered unless
action by the farmers. Why is this 50
II Is because the farmer is not represent
ed in the disbursement OF the public
funds Then the blame is upon MS, and
the remedy is in our hands. Why don't we
act u Are we a tool of some one or are
we ourselves independent, as our forefath-
era and our God made US In the coming
election this fall. members of the Leg
islature will be elected and Of course poll
ticiAns may insist that national parties
are paramount to all other interests bot
will the farmers be so blind as to believe
30 : We have beleyed so for generations
and yet we remain deceived TO this day.
There il, nor there should be no national
parties or politics in this coming election
for the Legislature the Legislature
elects no United States Senator, and
there should be no cause for national
parties in the Legislature. 4 farmers
convention can scarcely he held without
Intervention, dIctation and manipulation
OF the regular politician; he usually pre-
scrbes and mixes the dose for the farmers
purging, all to thwsrt the farmers aims
and cut off his aspirations. Money IS
often used 10 defeat onr wishes and frus-
trate our plane. Let us farmers assemble
in convention regardless Of national par
ties or politics and nominate farmer for
the Legislature who will pledge himself
to do something for the benefit OF our
country roads and all other interests OF
the farmer and that he will not he the tool
Of any national party while in the Legs
lature. We now have taxation without
represen tation, but if we will not suffer
ourselves to be the tools Of political
sharks we will reverse the old saying aud
have taxation by representation. think
that we will all feel that We have beer
benefited from our efforts, and we viii
doubtless have roads that at least vii
have the appearance of civilized coun
try. Let rs awaken from this lethargy
this careless do-nothlng way and push to
the front other pats Of the state are
being organized in the interests of The
farmer, and why should not We Let VI
organize early and get to work in earnest
We should insist upon an equitable share
of tho Offices Of the country, and demand
our rights. If we don't take care of oul
interests who will : We want practica
farmers to take hold OF the helm and hell
steer our craft clear OF tricky politicians
and let us share our rights inherited by
| our forefathers and our Maker. So let n
now and forever hereafter be men and no
tools. mules and fools for some one else.
FARMER.
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