Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-09-08

The Union Signal will never be
charged with any lack of cordiality
to rural people or interests, and SO
we dare speak frankly.
The political movement known
as the farmers movement will dis
appoint its promoters. Not because
it ought to fail, but because, in its
present phase, it appears TO be es-
sentially selfish, and consequently
barren of interest or promise to the
general good.
The farmer seems to nave gone
into politics to get something, and
that Is ever a small business. These
are the days of Jesus Christ and oil
men who go into politics to give
not to get. Political reforms that
are founded in self interest are
of sudden and rapid growth-oi the
genus mushroom-momentary, or
at least. smallish triumphs of muck
and darkness, so to speak, incapa-
bic of sustained development organ
ically morbid and fberless, having
no proper body, but being mon
strous glands without other func-
tion than to drain and secrete, and
they die young of g%luttony, just as
individual candidacy for Office, n
mated by selfishness only, lnvarla-
bly, brings up at the pot-house OF
origin.
The farmer appears to be in pol
itics in behalf of his own, that is
bad-his own barn and cellar, that
is worse. We tried to pursuade
him to include his parlor, his wife,
his boys and girls, but he declined,
that is worst.
The consequence is his movement
is already anamic and unweildy,
while each Of the other parties to
the great contention of 1892 is Sin
condition" and enthusiastic.
The reason is near by: Demo
crat stands for higher markets and
cheaper goods for everybody.
Republican stands for protec-
ted industries, higher wages and
!, fair elections for everybody.
Prohlbitionists stands for POliti-
cal sanitation for a humanity that
has God in it.
Each trunk line; take your
choice according to where you want
} to 60; but the farmers movement
= as vet a mere turn-table, a thing
on castors hat don't 60 anywhere,
=. that is fatal, for a political move
ment that don't move, is merely 20
y litical ricketts, and simply pitlful.
S All this means no disparagement
= of the farmer who is in fact, The
= hope of the country politically, bu.
b he must leave his own barn-yarC
o and take the Kings highway; Their,
e never was, nor ever will be a wor
e thy kuighthood, wearing no color
but its own.
Every gallant man is somebod.
else's champion. Selfish or elias
o parties do not last, even active mi
J norities: defeats are fatal to then
C for they are destitute of recupera
tive power. On the other hand
for instance, consider the woman
!. movement; it thriyes on discou-
agement and gets momentum from
l. defeat. And lock at the Prohib;
h ton party; such vitality compel
, sympathy and is the product OF Oh
= divine principle that underlies
: namely: the sacred and inviobl
5, kinship of humanity.
e Farmers do well to stand for thel
rs just share of Legislative attentio
y and if they will only couple tina
demand to some great cause Q
d everlasting righteousness, We wan
s to be among the first to say eco
Is speed" and this plain word. offere
:. in love, is simply admonitory, les
a our whOlesomest, best manhoo
d seem to ignore the rights of man
E. contend for the rights of a fe'
> men.-JoHN G.. WOoLEY In Unlo
:. Signal.