Addresses—“ Tee farmers'' Movement .” 
429 
Hudson, then shall Art have fitly set these now rough, but almost 
incomparable jewels of our capital. 
“THE FARMERS’ MOVEMENT.” 
BY GEO. E. MORROW, OF THE WESTERN FARMER. 
Delivered at the Dane County Fair, 1873. 
That which we call the “Farmers Movement” has become one 
of the most comon topics for discussion. Monster meetings are 
held in its behalf; from the platforms on hundreds of fair grounds 
it is being talked of; the press of every class, fills columns with 
opinions and advice concerning it; no political party ignores it in 
selecting candidates or setting forth its principles. This movement 
is in no immediate danger of dropping out of the minds of men ; 
nor is it in danger from unwillingness on the part of the people 
to do right. The average American citizen is in favor of truth 
and right as regards any cause, if you but allow him to clearly 
see the right and do not cover it up with side issues or appeals to 
prejudices. 
THE GREATEST DANGER. 
To this movement is from within — not from without. If it 
fail of doing good; if this interest in the questions discussed die 
away, leaving farmers in no better condition that before, it will be 
because they have consented to be led either by narrow minded 
impracticable men, seeking blindly a good end through inadequate 
means, or else by hypocritical, vicious men, seeking only their 
own advancement. Something more than zeal is needed in a 
*—• 
leader; something besides protestation of interest may be needed 
to prove sincerity. There are already too many such would-be 
leaders, bringing contempt on the cause they profess to advocate, 
by their pretentious ignorance, their indiscrimnate denunciation 
and their empty threats. 
We need here, as in every discussion, full and accurate infor¬ 
mation ; careful study of each question, anxious only to find the 
truth, and a willingness to hear and do full justice to the other 
side. 
