82 THE GKOUNDSWELL. 



cause against the enemy. In those States where both Clubs 

 and Granges exist, an organization, similar in character to 

 that of the Illinois Farmers Association, which consists of 

 both orders, should be set on foot. From the first inception 

 of the agitation against Transportation Companies and monop 

 olies generally, one fact has been more and more clearly devel 

 oping itself, namely, that the only remedy for the grievances 

 of the farming community is a radical one the substitution, 

 in large degree, of farmers representatives in our legislatures, 

 State and National, for the present cliques of lawyers and 

 politicians. Combined, the Granges and Clubs will shortly 

 be able to effect this ; separate and semi-antagonistical, they 

 will fail utterly. 



It is proper to say that I am not a member of the Order 

 of Patrons of Husbandry. So far as I am informed, judging 

 from the stand-point of an outside but much interested spec 

 tator, the secret feature of that order seems to be sufficient 

 to disqualify it for receiving into its ranks our Eoman Cath 

 olic farmers. At any rate, there are many most excellent 

 citizens who are opposed, on principle, to secret societies of 

 any kind. For these reasons it is necessary, if the organiza 

 tion of our farmers is to go to the length required to make it 

 invincible, that there should be open Clubs, working con 

 jointly with the Granges, and to the same end. 



It is far from desirable, however, in my opinion, that our 

 farmers should attempt to organize themselves into a political 

 party ; for even if they should succeed in the endeavor, they 

 would but exchange King Log for King Stork. The easiest 

 way out of their difficulties, it seems to me, clearly is for the 

 farmers to vote for such men, and such men only, as they 

 know to be identified with their interests and those of the 

 whole people; in fact, that their policy should largely be 

 &quot; men ; not measures.&quot; 



