Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1896 — The American Farmer. [ARTICLE]

The American Farmer.

In political times the American farmer is made a conspicuous idol by the fawning, two-faced politicians who go about the land endeavoring to make the farmer and every other citizen believe that the man of the farm is the most abused person on the face of the earth. His farm is heavily mortgaged, especially if he lives in the west; he is poor, bewitched, and the object of every other mishap that can fall to the lot of an agriculturalist. That was the condition of the American farmer just prior to Nov. 3,1896, according to the politiciar. Free silver the farmer wanted and would have, the same authority contended. In short the politican appeared to think the farmer a fool and endeavored to make everybody else, the farmer included, believe the same way. When the votes were counted it was discovered that it was the politician who is a fool while tha farmer knows the difference between patriotism and anarchy? Many of the misstatements of the politicans are forcibly and clearly refuted by the report just issued by Secretary Morten of the Department of Agriculture. It shows that 72 per cent, of United States farms occupied by their owners are'free from any incumbrances. The statement was made during the campaign that the farmers in the west and south are burdened more heavily than those of the north-east and east.' The secretary’s report shows that farms along; the north Atlantic coast are heavily encumbered. New Jersey’s farm mortgage debt is greater in proportion to its farm valuation than that of any other State. Perhaps the time will come when even the politicians will discover that the farmer is a true American citizen and not a bit of putty to be moulded as he wills.—South Bend Tribune.