The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-12-14
MUSTDEFEND HISOWN
WHAT THE AMERICAN FARMER
SHOULD DO.
Organize and Vote to His Own interests
Result of the Recent Elections Does Not
Improve the Condition OF the -Agricult
ura1 Class.
Meaning of the Elections.

W hat DO these elections mean! That
the Independent vote, largely unframed
but dissatisfied. made a deplorable re-
sistance against the pertily of a party
that within a year stood up IN the halls
of Congress and renounced the plat
form on which it elected President.
Never in the history OF our politics was
there such an insult offered to the
voters Of this country as the Demo
cratic majority in Congress, led by
John Sherman, a Republican, flung i'll
the face of the people-who had voted
a partisan ticket, upon the promise of
the supporters OF that ticket that they
would insure certain congressional
action, but af,erwarl said through
is mouthpieces and its votes that it
lid no: care IA continental what the
platform said. Mr.. Cleveland occupies
MS seat today because his platform
was in favor Of reduced tariff and the
free coinag" of silver. His party with
in twelve months from his election said
to the people that it would vote AS
Wall Street requested aud that the
people. in the language OF Wander
hilt, might be d-I The election
was simply an indefinite reInonstrance
against this sort OF political treachery.
They have no idea, rs is too often the
case with voters. what the practical
results would be. but Jhey determined
D register an emphatic kick. The
practical result has been nothing. Ii
could not we'll he ut such ali election.
1t is at the congressional election next
lall that votes will tell. Nothing has
>een gained hv the election OF Gov.
Mckinley OF Ohio, Gov. jackson OF
iowa, or in the election Of any other
successful candidate, except TO show
that there Is Il large. unorganizod, IL
II responsible vote that will make itself
heard against machine politics ana po-
iitical treacherv. What is wanted j.
the organization Of this inNcpcnlen:
vote, So that it may be cast Intelligent
" and efficiently. and not drift from
one party to another, as the weather.
vane is turned by the wind. Ohio or
Iowa farmers will be no better off be
cause certain men have been elected
governors OF the states. The root Of
..3a cause which compols farmers to
II thel: products for less tIan It costs
. produce them, is Fundamental,
While these political victories. for one
party or the other are only superficial.
Mckinley has won his way 10 g posi-
;lon of which he may be proud. All
sill congratulate him. whether they
agree with his politics or not. Young
Jackson OF Iowa made a good fight,
and none Will hegruIge him his vic
toy. however much his politics may
disagree with the politics OF any of us
But what are all these personal victo-
ries to 30 for ;he farmer? That Is the
vital question: VIII the combination
against the farmer be less: VIII the
trusts be crushed: Will lccch-suck-
I ing corporations be shorn of their al
most irresistible power to rob the pro
Queer? None of these state and loc.!
elections give the slightest Indication
That the basic industry OF this great
country -agriculture- will be benefit
ed III the least. The farmer must de-
fend his own interests. Nobody else
! will DO it: and the question comes.
does he feel that in the recent political
victories he ga, added q cent to his
income. made himself more comforta-
Die and prosperous, or better provided!
for tie future OF his children? II he
does. there is nothing more to say
, Farmers Voice.