The Progress., 1893-10-28
THE FARMER AND HIS FUTURE.

forced to abandon their natural V0ca-
zion. husbandry, and take up that Of
the mercantile pursuit, so the farmer
by virtue of discriminating laws has
been forced into politics. True it is
that agriculture has. mot been special
Iy legislated against, but other pur-
suits have been so amply protected
while it has been left a prey to
gamblers and spectators, that it Is
as muchly injured by this indirect, as
it would be by the direct legislation
against his calling.
Naturally the farmer has an aver
sion to politics and if left to himself
and it was not made necessary for
self protection, he would take little
interest in it, but would gladly permit
the town men to control public affairs
This he would do for two reasons
First, because political conventions
are generally held in towns. some dis
tance from his home, and he would
rather be at home looking after stock
and crop. which require constant care,
than to spend a day in town attend
ing those meetings. Secondly, by
virtue of his secluded life an I limit
ed association with people, he is a
modest man, feels uncomfortable in
large assemblies, is diffident about
expressing himself before so large a
number and has, as rule, merely
made the complement of delegates
necessary to hold a convention, while
the city members managed the thing.
This position he has been content to
OCCUPY until the time has come when
he sees himself and bis interests
abandoned by all parties, all legisla-
ticn being taken up for the purpose
of advancing the cause of every other
calling in business life but his own,
while HIS condition attracts no atten-
ton, or if any at all in such a small
degree aud by such a limited number
of representatives, that it goes no
further than resolution, or possibly
the passage of bill in one House,
but being sure to meet It's death In
the other or at the hands of the chief
executive. Thusly almost, forsaken
and abandoned do we find the farmer
in October, 1893, except by few
friends who have been powerless to
render assistance on account of that
carefully selected working majority
on the other side.
Thus far his cause has been hope
less through no fault of his, but is
due to the misplaced confidence he
rep sed in others; to his allowing
others to select his standard-bearers.
Thus far we say he is not to blame,
but he will be if he longer consents
to be but puppet; but windlass
whose body must bear the pressure
which draws water for others alone;
but a war charger whose back must
bear others to eminence and great
ness; while he receives no reward at
all. for it is within his power to draw
out from this state and himself be.
come the ruler.
The farmer must go into politics.
In the interest of self, family and
home he must protect himself. He
can become the dominant factor. His
calling already has the numbers, he
needs nothing but to give the matter
thought and attention. He must
study political and domestic economy,
history and morals. The last two
give him knowledge and conscience;
the first two acquaintance with party
management and financial independ-
ence. He must be independent of
the money lender, must be a self-pro-
wider and then, with the knowledge
that we have called attention to ac-
quired, his future will be bright and
he will be the leader in public affairs
and politics, and if dominated by this
spirit and sentiment, official trust will
be on a high plane, public Office will
be position of manly and honest
confidence, and alone will be an insig-
MIA of honor.
Will our farmers act as they can
We say yesl and the next election
will show it too.
STRIKE WHILE THE IRONS HOT.