THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 445 



differ in different States. Attempts have been made by 

 politicians to ally it with one or the other of the great 

 parties that divide the nation, but they have not been 

 successful. The Order has kept aloof from all such 

 parties, and aims only at protecting the farming classes 

 from the wrongs from which they are suffering, arid de- 

 vising and carrying out measures for their relief. It 

 does not seek to interfere with or supersede either 

 party, but, undertaking a different work from that of 

 either, draws its recruits from both. The work with 

 which it is charged is enough for it ; and will occupy 

 its attention and engage its energies to the exclusion of 

 all other questions. 



Nor has the Grange yet perfected its system of 

 operations. The evils it seeks to combat are so old 

 and great that there can be no difference respecting 

 them ; but the remedies are yet under discussion, and 

 no definite plan of action will be resolved upon until a 

 thorough investigation of its merits and a free inter- 

 change of opinions can be had. 



Says a writer who has spent much time among the 

 farmers of the West for the especial purpose of learning 

 their views : 



" The Grange makes no war upon railroads as such. 

 Its members generally recognize the fact that without 

 railroads their rich farms would soon be deserted except 

 along the rivers, and become once more the "homes of 

 wolves and wild fowl, and they are willing that men 

 who put their money into railroads shall receive fair 

 returns on the capital they invest. But they believe 

 that the people have some rights which even railroad 

 corporations are bound to respect, and they are not will- 

 ing that railroad charges shall be put so high as to pay 



