Washington telegraph., 1863-04-22

re- The weather last Saturday was very
inclement, and the attendance at the Farmers
Meeting was small. Late in the evening an
organization was effected, and the meeting
adjourned, as we have been informed, until
next Saturday week We regret that we have
not been furnished with copy of the pro-
ceedings.
The prevailing sentiment of the meeting was
to confne it's action to contributions for the
aid of the families of volunteers. This is very
laudable, and as far as it goes, will be produc-
tive of good. We fear, however, that its effects
will only be palliative for time, and will
leave the root of the evil untouched. The
contribu tons only relieve section of country,
where the people are humane and patriotic,
and that only for a season, They are not kept
hausted. When they fail, every thing is worse
than before. Prices remain higher than ever,
and the poor are helpless. Besides that, many
Of the poor are not families Of volunteers.
They are not to be pitilessly crushed out of
existence by the expressions of the Spectator
and extortioner.
It is the grasping spirit of money making
the reluctance to abandon all possible profits,
which makes the gloomiest aspect of our affairs.
Patriotism is forgotten Selfish interests wither
away all higher and holier. motives. Men,
under the influence of sordid passions, forget
their country, and blindly involve themselves
in common ruin. All classes are contaminated
by it. No trade or profession is free. To the
farming community We have been accustomed
to look for the substantial virtue and patriotism
of the country. 1t was hoped that from that
might be expected some organized effort to
create public sentiment against these crying
evils. and some example of the true conduct
of patriots We think they do not escape this
obligation by crying ous in return against the
merchant and the mechanic. The farming
community control all others They can pull
down and build up. If, instead of following
others to do evil, they do good and frown upon
evil doors, they purify public opinion, and are
able to correct oil abuses.
ANY man who is allowed from age, infrmity
or occupation to remain at home, does not any
the less owe his fortune, and his life even, to
the cause of our independence. 1t is small
matter, be he tradesman, mechanic or farmer,
that he should labor in his vocation for reason
able compensation against cost of production
Is he not at ease at his freside, whilst his fell
low countrymen pour out their blood upon
battle fields. or pine away in hospitals? Must
he gst rich also?-fatteu on the evil times and
bloat his fortunes with the blood Of the desti-
tute? whilst the public credit is being crushed
mainly render necessary?
Alas many act as if they thought so and
become very impatient if reasoned with on the
subject. They would buy absolution by an
occasional largess to the family of volunteer,
to cover a general participation in the mad
rush for profits which sweeps over the land.
But these things must be we suppose. Human
nature is very weak. Time rectifes all things,
and its verdicts are inexo rable. We can read
one already in the future.
The men who labor now to support the
government, and to assist the community in
this hour of trouble, will be honored by pos
terity as bright and shining patriots. The
men who see only dimes and scramble latter
them-who take for what they have what they
can get--who make their profits out Of the
imperative necessities of their fellow-country-
men-may not be considered as traitors, for
they are not. But their names will be made
as odious as was that of Peter Hooks, who, in
the midst of the sufferings at Valley Forge in
the old revolution, went hoarsely bawling
through the land for his profits on beef! They
may DE rich, but will be justly despised.