526 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT; OR, 



ing superior industry, intelligence, and morality, com- 

 plaining of being oppressed. We ought to be ashamed 

 of ourselves, and either cease our boasting or our 

 whining. 



" Let us take a candid look at the situation, and see 

 if we cannot discover what is the matter. Let us try 

 and see if there is any good reason why the great 

 majority should be governed and oppressed by a small 

 minority. 



" In human affairs effects follow causes ; results are 

 accomplished by action, even when the actors are 

 unseen. Look at our State and national Governments, 

 and who are the men to whom we entrust this great 

 responsibility? Look at our boards of trade, indus- 

 trial expositions, and in fact any great project for the 

 advancement of science, art, liberty, or industry, and 

 you will find at its head and the moving spirit thereof 

 a lawyer, doctor, preacher, student, merchant, or, in 

 fact, almost anything but a farmer. These men rule 

 the nation. They shape the laws ; they make the 

 channels of trade, and place trade in its channels. 

 They build ships, harness steam to their wagons, make 

 lightning carry their messages ; they compel rivers to 

 turn their saws, twirl their spindles, and throw their 

 shuttles. They use their brains, and mind governs the 

 world. 



"Just think of competing against such men by 

 stupidly hoeing corn fifteen hours a day and selling it 

 at twenty cents a bushel, and then laying awake nights, 

 growling at railroad men and merchants. The dog 

 who barks at the moon comes nearer accomplishing his 

 purpose than such a growler. Why have not farmers 

 taken a position of influence and power in the councils 



