CHAPTER VII 



THE CRUSHING OF THE FARMERS' EXCHANGE 



MEANTIME, there had been desperate 

 efforts to win relief by combinations 

 and maneuvers on the economic field, no less. 

 Many acute observers held that this was the 

 true way to emancipation; for what power 

 can hope ever to overcome in politics the 

 resources of great railroads backed by great 

 banks? But, they argued, when all is said, 

 the fact remains that the farmer feeds the 

 nation and in that has a latent power greater 

 than the power of politics, if he will but use it. 

 You must understand, of course, that 

 North Dakota was not the only sufferer from 

 evil conditions. The whole of Agricultural 

 Northwest groaned under them. It is very 

 much the custom to accept at par value both 

 the reputations and the theories manufactured 

 for us by a persistent but inspired propa- 

 ganda. If this informs us for a long enough 

 time that a certain man is or was a great 

 "Empire Builder" we accept the good news 

 with gladness and in the end come to regard 



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