204 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



their hostility to the Government of the day means, in 

 many cases, inimicahty to the commonweal, and, there- 

 fore, hostility to the people. 



If they have a purpose of their own to serve, and that 

 purpose happens to clash with the interests of the people, 

 then it is clear they are of no use to us from that point of 

 view, because of their inimicahty. 



If, in serving their own purpose, they don't care 

 whether national interests are sacrificed, or not, then it 

 is equally clear they are of no use to us from that point 

 of view, because of their hostility. 



It is also clear that if they be influenced by either or 

 both of these purposes, then they are not fit to be the 

 people's guides, to represent their interests, or champion 

 their cause. 



We cannot get rid of either the political parties or a poli- 

 tical Press, but if we find they mislead us, we need not j al- 

 low .• and if we do not follow them , the logical conclusion of 

 the business is that in time they will learn to follow us. 



To-day, both Parties and Press profess to represent the 

 people ; arrant humbug ; they no more represent the real 

 views and wishes of the millions than they represent the 

 inhabitants of Mars. They represent their own views and 

 serve their own ends, but not ours. Rarely do the people's 

 hopes and desires find expression in the acts of either 

 Press or politicians, and seldom are the real mandates of 

 the people carried out by them. Less and less do they ex- 

 press our real views, and less and less grows the disposi- 

 tion to listen to their teaching, or follow their lead; and 

 so, we form our own opinions and take our own way 

 along that path which we are sure will lead to the uplift- 

 ing of a people and the prosperity of a Nation. 



