Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-04-24
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
hASTY ACTION.
The Action of the Minnesota Farmers De-
cIared Hastx and IIntenAhle.

The Action of the Minnesota Farmers De-
clared Hasty and Untenabie-
The farmers are intelligent and tenn
perate citizens as rule, but they seem
to be in considerable danger just now
of dayasging their cause by hasty and
extravsgant proceedings. For example,
their Alliance in Minnesota has passed
a SERIES of resolutions concerning the
recent decision of the Supreme Court in
the granger" cases from that State
which must be unqualifiedly condemned
by all right-minded people. The judg-
ment of the highest legal tribunal OF
the country is stigmatized as "a second
bred Scott decision" rendered by "a
squad of lawyers" and designed to
''wheedle away the liberties of the
people," Such talk as this betrsys
a sad lack of good sense. The de-
cision in question does not in any
particular interfere with the liberties
of the people, and is not in any other
way dangerous or discreditable. 1t
merely declares that in fixing railroad
charges State must observe the rule
of reasonableness, ''both as regards the
company and as regards the public"
and that when rates are arbitrarily re-
duced to point where freight can be
carried only at loss it amounts to the
taking of property without due process
of law, which is expressly forbidden by
the Constitution. The right of the
State to establish rates is not denied;
but it is held that the right to regulate
,A4 81 - hn riD 70
There is nothing revolutionary in doc
trine of that sort; nor does it antagonize
any sane theory of relief for the de-
preston of agriculture.
1t is not possible for the farmers to
make their crusade a success by passing
resolutions which offend the public
sense of fitness and propriety. They
must adapt their operations to the pre-
vailing standard of sobriety and pru-
dence. or they will be disappointed in
all their expectations. 1t is conceded
that they arc subject to hard conditions
as the case now stands, and that they
have perfect right to organize for the
protection and promotion of their own
interests. But this does not imply that
they have right to become common
scolds and slanderers. They can not
afford to strike blindly and impetuously
at forces and influences of fundamental
value to society. Such policy can only
have the effect of lessening the num-
Der of their friends and sympathizers.
Their proper course is that of concilia-
ton, and not of bulldozing. They
need the Endorsement and cooperation
of their fellow-cit&ens of other callings
and classes: they can not by their own
power accomplish the objects they have
in view. 1t is necessary for them to
commend their cause to general ap-
prevail by presenting it in a discreet
and convincing manner. They can not
be at all sure that they have yet discov-
cred the true remedy or remedies for
their ailments. The subject is large
and complicat ted one, and various opin-
ions may be honestly entertained upon
its several features. They should court
discussion and seek information in a
respectful and considerate spirit No
good cause has ever been harmed by
tactics of that kind. and in this instance
particularly such course is the only
safe and profitable one.-St Louis
| Globe Democrat.