The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-03-09
by John Temple Graves.


and most potential force in politics
that this country knows, or has ever
known. has grown up slowly, silently
and resistlessly within the last four
years.
Strange TO say. the newspapers of
the East know little of 1t. and say lit
tie about II. But there isn't con-
gresham who comes from the South
or West who does not know OF 1t and
bow to II whenever II passes an opion-
ion across his political way.
At this time 1t is practically omni-
potent 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
organization that succeeds the old
Farmers Alliance and the National
Grange. which rose and feel some ten
years ago.
The National Grange was the first
organization. 1t was the first ex-
pertinent In agricultural organization
and cooperation. Its mistakes were
many and its years were few. 1t did
much good. but its wisdom was crude
and II fell by its own inexperience.
The Farmers Alliance. which fol-
lowed, was stronger and better. 1t
cut a deep swath in its days, and
moved down congressman like grain
in its triumphant youth. 1t swept
Georgia for instance, like a hurri-
cane. and left only two congressman
to the regular Democrats out of the
eleven in the state.
The Farmers Alliance fell by its
ambitions. It's first successes fired its
followers to political aspirations and
II faded.
Now comes the Farmers union,
which has learned wisdom and dis
cretion by the mistakes Of its prede-
cessors. IT'S members do not seek
Office as members of the organization,
but appear TO avoid 1t. Only one UNI
ted states senator (Smith. of South
Carolna) has risen from it's ranks to
high official state.
The Farmers union is practical,
hard-headed body that is after re-
suits in legislation rather than offices
for its members. II has been manag-
ell with consummate common sense
and self abnegation by its young and
able president. Charles S. Barrett. and
an able board of governors. 1t is a
compact. secret organization in every
county. state and section west of the
Alleghanies. and south of the Potomac
with an advancing growth in the
Eastern states.
1t knows what IT wants in politics
and IL is going to get it.
And II has three million actual and
devoted members who are whole
hearted behind It's want. and it's
methods.
Within the year this magnificent
boz OF farmers has established n
working compact with the American
Federation OF Labor. with its three
million r.ea.s,vs. and from is az.
visory councils .3sues the messages
which crr so0t from the people -
their re. .cs natives IN congress auG
the legislature.
Here there rs a compact union of
nearly six million farmers and work
ingmen, enlightend. definite and resi-
lutte. moving upon the law making
bodies for the establishment Of such
legislation as seems necessary to their
interest or prosperitS. They are not
after honors. but statutes; not work.
ing for offices. but laws.
have said that the newspapers do
not have much TO say about this or
ganlzed and omnlpOtent force
But let me tell you that congress
knows il. and feels II every day.
was talking with Southern con-
gresham who has long held my un-
limited admiration and respect. He
is scholar In politics, thoughtful,
sagacious. a cool thinker and a care
tul adviser. He has opinions deliOer'
ately reached and thoughtfully held
one Of the very few real construc-
tive statesmen of his section and his
party
was asking him his probable at
tltudc toward several of the leading
questions on which this congress is
tp vote.
"i doesn't make much difference
what { think now. Graves" said he
"The day OF the constructive states
man seems over and the publiclsts who