1 6 INTRODUCTION. 



classes. Monopoly names the price of what they have to 

 sell, and charges them what it pleases for what they are 

 compelled to buy. The farmer may hold his crop in vain, 

 for when he does put it on the market he finds that the same 

 manipulators govern and fix the price of his products. 

 Individual effort is fruitless. The relentless, remorseless 

 and unyielding grasp of monopoly is upon every avenue 

 of trade and commerce. Extortion is demanded with an 

 audacity that was never surpassed by the Dick Turpins or 

 Jack Ketches of English highways. They lay tribute 

 with as much authority as the vassal lords and princes of 

 feudal times. If they are asked what right they have to 

 do this, their answer would be the same as the highway- 

 man's: "Because we can. It is a private affair of our 

 own." When this state of affairs exists throughout the 

 whole country ; when these modern barons are levying 

 tribute on everything the fanner sells and all that he buys, 

 is it to be wondered at, that the law of self-preservation is 

 forcing him to unite with his fellow sufferers to repel these 

 encroachments upon his rights? Is it expected that he is 

 to apologize for making a united effort to repel the invader? 

 The organization of farmers is the outgrowth of an inva- 

 sion of their natural rights. Such an organization was 

 that of the Grange. If it only partially succeeded, it was 

 not on account of a lack of honest effort, but because it 

 did not go far enough to reach the root of the evils of 

 which it complained. It sought to correct existing abuses 

 by abolishing the middle-man. This would afford but 

 partial relief. The man who was in sight suffered, but 

 the hidden enemy laughed in derision. It disarmed itself 

 by prohibiting political discussion. The root of the evil 

 lay in the laws. Monopolies exist by law, are chartered 

 by law, and should be controlled by law. A trust is a con- 

 spiracy against legitimate trade. It is against the interests 

 of the people and the welfare of the public. It is demor- 



