Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-07-21
FARMERS WEAK AND STRONG
in Truly Representative Government
They Should Weld More lnfiu-
ence With Legislators.

ence WIN Legislators.
In point of numbers, farmers are
strong. They cast more votes in our
general elections than any other class
they constitute about one-third of
all the voters of the country. In a
truly representative government there
fore. they ought to have more infiu-
ence with our law-making and govern
ing powers than any other class, says
the Up-to-Date Farming.
In the extent of their industry,
farmers are strong Within the very
borders Of our cities. almost within
the shadow of our most magnificent
palaces, adjoining the grounds of our
greatest institutions, and virtually be-
meath the caves of our most important
manufacturing establishments, the soil
is titled, and no corner in all our
broad domain is too remote to afford
site for a farmers home. Wherever
our flag is unfurled it casts its shadow
on farm.
In respect to the variety, value and
Importance OF their products farmers
are strong. The farmers actually Gre
ate wealth; other classes only change
or modify IL, or find 1t where 1t is
hidden in the earth. No other class
of industry produces the amount OF
value that annually comes from the
farms, and no other industry is so
necessary to the life and comfort of
man and beast. But for farming.
every mine would close, every mill
and factory would shut down. and
every railway train would stop to
never start again. Without the prod
ucts of the farms civilization would
die. and man and beast could live
only In wild and savage state.
But as to concert of action farmers
are weak Their land is measured by
metes and bounds, and they have ac-
quired the habit of confirming their
efforts to the acres thus enclosed. AS
their labor is held within these mar
row bounds, their thoughts seldom
wander beyond them. They know
their living comes from the soil they
cultivate and the pastures they main
tain. and they seem not to realize
that interests important to them lie In
the beyond Thus is every farmer his
''own man." In that he feels de.
gree of independence that appeals to
his individuality, and builds within
him sense of pride that blinds him
to the fact that other classes sink
their individuality in united efforts for
privileges and powers even beyond
their callings. No class of people are
so divided ON public questions as farm
ers are. Impulse and excitement call
some of them to one standard and
some to another. and when thus raj
lied they shout for leaders and names
without thought as to what the real
results may be to them, or Of what in
terests to them may be wrapped up in
those results. We say this not to the
disparagement of farmers.
1t Is not so with the other classes.
They are all of later origin. They
were born of more modern demands
and lived upon privileges. These priv
ileges, special privileges, are the OBJ
jects Of their constant care, and no
prejudices influence them away from
the guardianship of these special
privileges and interests. They unhesi-
tatingly sink their combined efforts
to maintain and increase the privi-
leges that give them advantages over
the toiling world, especially that part
of 1t which tolls upon the farms. II
is no wonder that farmers eternally
find themselves laboring under such
weight of discouragement.
What is the remedy? This is an
age of education. Farmers must learn
from the example of others. They
must overcome their petty prejudices
and cease to worship names without a
substance They must realize that
their interests extend beyond the
farms. and often center in the courts
and the halls of legislation and the
congress. and they must know what
those interests are and how to secure
them. The first thing for them tc
learn is, that single farmer, no mat
ter how skilled, industrious or sue
cessful, is only a man when national
powers and influences stand up to be
counsel. In union there is strength
applies to farmers as well as to others
: and farmers will never come to. theil
: own, will never enjoy rights and priv
ileges accorded to others. will never
have an equal and equitable standing
in opportunities. protection and bust
ness until, like other classes. the!
united to make their demands backet
4, by the combined powers of their grea
calling.