Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-08-08

The following editorial from the
lux City journal is so "pat" to the
.uation in South Dakota that we re-
rint the article entire.
There is an absurd and preposterous inuendo
sbelt good deal that Is said Of the farmer. 1t
isln.plied therein that he Is about to go into
politics-as II he had not been 'in politics."
Why. the farmers constitute the overwhelming
majority Of all political parties in the west.
Here In Iowa, for example, they have great
majority, certainly Of the republican party and
probably Of the democratic party They can
absolutely control the parties. They have con-
t,olled both parties to Il greater or less extent.
They can dominate at the caucuses. in conven-
items and at the polls. 1t is hardly putting it
too strong osay that IN Il quarter Of u century
mlowa thershas not been a single county con-
yentson Of either CREST political party. and no
state convention. In which the farmers did not
have. Or might not have had decisive majority.
And the farmers have been In politics. They
have expressed themselves on the policies
which have been reflected by national, state
and mere local government. 1t is very sorry
carieature which those draw Of the American
farmer who depict him as q blind, ignorant,
helpless imbccils, victim Of superior force and
Intelligence. All such characterization Is sheer
insult to the farmer and lie should be foremost
10 resent 1t. There is no more intelligent and
independent class than the farmers. This is
demonstrated by the failure of multitudin0us
political attempts to gull them. On account OF
their great number as class they have been
the fayorite object Of demagogues and time
servers, and the most elaborate and plausible
deceits have been spread around them. But in
The long run these denlagogic efforts have had
smaller success with farmers than with any
other class. Doubtless the reason for this
very fact which is obvious to all intelligent far
hers sthat as they are the majority of the great
parties they can control them to their ends
whenever u vital interest Is really involved
ana the Inference is likewise obtrusive that II
l!lc farmers. with a majority overwhelming III
point OF numbers, have been impOtent in exist
'hs political organizations they would succeed
no better even II it were possible to group them
mo Glass party. Bu. that Is absolutely im
iosSlDle on any permanent basis, for the reason
'''at farmers III the different sections and Otter
~ 'ne same section have conflicting interests OF
connecting convictions as to their interests
FARMER organization is wise and profitable tol
"'ahy purposes-sOmetmes for class politica
purposes. Occasions arise when farmers. pro
'.s''liS as a class. may accomplish good results
"heh those occasions arise, the grievance fo
"ueh they want remedy will not be vague ant
."uellilte. nor will the farmers have to call ii
'ue ad OF professional farm lovers, demagogue
VI W. asellseekng agtators to tell them what to do
""e''eVer the farmer has a genuine interest t.
w. guarded. or Il purpose to be advanced, a
ha'nSt The policy Of existing political Organiza
"V"s mat interest or that purpose will be 81
sfee''c and obvious that there will be no doub
classes