Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-04
NEW FORCE IN POLITICS.
Farmers Union Most Powerful In
American History.

Farmers Union Most Powerful In
American History.
The newest and most potential force
In politics that his country knows, or
has ever known, writes John Temple
Graves from Washington, has grown
up slowly, silently and resistlessly
within the last four years.
Strange to say, the newspapers Of the
east know little of it, and say little
about 1t. But there isn't a congress-
man who comes from the south or west
who does not know it, and bow to 1t
whenever 1t passes an opinion across
his political way.
At this time 1t is practically omnip-
otent in legislation, and 1t is an in
creasing rather than decreasing
force.
The Farmers Union is a little more
than four years old. 1t is a secret or
ganiZation that succeeds the old Far
mers' Alliance and the National
Grange, which rose and fell some ten
years ago.
The National Grange was the first
organization. 1t was the first expert
ment in agricultural organization and
cooperation. Its mistakes were many
and it's years few. 1t did much good.
but it's wisdom was crude and 1t fell
The Farmers Alliance, which fol-
lowed, was stronger and better. 1t cut
a deep swath in it's day, and moved
down congressman like grain in it's
triumphant youth. 1t swept Georgia
for instance, like a hurricane, and left
only two congressman to the regular
Democrats out of the eleven in the
state.
The Farmers Alliance fell by its dis
sensions and it's ambitions. Its first
successes fired it's followers to political
aspirations, and 1t faded.
Now comes the Farmers Union,
which has learned wisdom and discre-
ton by the mistakes Of its predeces-
sors Its members do not seek office as
members of the organization, but ap-
States senator, (Smith, Of South Caro-
lina) has risen from it's ranks to high
official state.
The Farmers Union Is a practical,
hard headed body that is after results
In legislation rather than offices for
its members. 1t has been managed
with consummate common sense and
self abnegation by its young and able
president, Charles S. Barrett, and an
able board of governors. 1t is COM
pact, secret organization, in every
county, state and section west Of the
Alleghenies, and south of the Potomac,
with an advancing growth In the east
ern states.
1t knows what it wants in politics
and it is going to get it.
And it has three million actual and
devoted members who are whoieheart-
edly behind it's wants and it's methods!
Within the year this magnificent body
Of farmers has established working
compact with the American Federation
of Labor, with it's three million men,
bers, and from its advisory councils is
sue the messages which are sent from
the people to their representatives in
congress and the legislatures.
Here there Is compact union or
nearly six million farmers and work.
ingmen, enlightened, definite and reso-
lutte, moving upon the law making bod
les for the establishment Of such leg
islation as seems necessary to their in
terest or prosperity. They are not af-
ter honors, but statutes; not working
for offices, but laws.
have said that the newspapers do
not nave much to say about this or
ganized and omnipotent force.
But let me tell you that congress
knows 1t, and feels it every day.
was talking with a southern con-
gressman who has long held my un-
limited admiration and respect. He is
scholar in politics, thoughtful, sa-
gacious, a cool thinker and a careful
adviser He has opinions deliberately
reached and thoughtfully held-one Of
the very few real constructive states
men of his section and his party.
l was asking his probable attitude
toward several of the leading ques-
tions on which this congress Is to vote.
1T doesn't make much difference
what l think now, Graves" said he.
THE day of the constructive statesman
seems over, and the publicist who
thought for his people and led them Is
passing, If he has not already passed.
l have some very distinct and definite
opinions upon the great questions or
which you ask. / have read, studied
and thought of them for years, and
have consecrated my experience and
my information upon them. If / were
free to do so, l should love to rise in
my place in congress and give the re-
suit Of that long and patient study to
help my people to sure and perma-
nent solution.
But when l find my desk laden ev-
cry morning with letters and kilograms
from the officers Of the omnipotent or
ganization, and from hundreds Of in
dividual and influential members In
my district. telling me how they wish
me as their representative to vote, l
know that l am no longer statesman,
but merely an agent and that the only
thing for me to do is to obey the or
der of the organization, or to pack my
trunks for a sure and speedy exit from
the congress of the United States.
And as l feel and will act, so Will
feel and act all of US who live within
the sphere Of these banded and definite
constituents who know what they
want. and have the supreme power to
enforce their will either through me
or through some other man whom they
will send to take my place"
The Farmers Union has established
great bureau in Washington to sit
up with congress" on the measures
that it desires to pass. The bureau
lives with the session, and adjourns
when congress does.
Here then is the force that is ruling
the country. 1t is not an unwise or
an unpatriotic organization. 1t comes
as near to representing what we call
the plain people in this country as any
organization ever did. 1t is so far
conservative. prudent and considerate.
1t makes q fair and wholesome foil
to the vast and heretofore omnipotrnt
power of the "interests' and the
trusts"
And by all the logic of unity and
common sense and success. 1t seems
that it is here to stay.
- In the United States circuit court
n, E1orapca last Wednesday, Judge