The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-08
AN GRAFTON
DELIVERED BEFORE THE
MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY,
At MiIlersburg, Sept. %. 1865.
BY R. H. SPICER, ESQ.

Ten wears since had the honor to address
vou on an occasion like this. Your society
was then In its infancy; but Notwithstanding
the MANY yici-situdes which occurred in that
time. it has continued to progress until 1t has
hecome a permanent institution. Ut the use
fuluess which 1t has achieved since Its organ
ization it is impossible to estimate. But
Judging from the interest which has 30 con-
stsntly been manifested towards 1t, we are
lad to believe that it has not been valueless,
nor tho time and means devoted to 1t thrown
awsv. While many of the neighborlng soci-
cities have been struggling for existence, ex
periencing many failures the
homes of those most anxious for their success,
with YOURS there has been no failure. It's
nrocress has been market by continual sue
cess, gratifying the hopes and stimulating
the exersions of its many friends and admir-
ers. This may, in a measure, be attributed
10 the fact that it has, since Its origin, been
in the hands Of and managed by those who
are practical men,-men devoted to Industrial
pursnits,-instead of those, as Is too often the
csse-who would convert 1t into a mere adj
ysrtising machine or for other selfish pur-
noses, would make It's primary object their
individual gain.
There are, | presume, few or none who
have been in the habit of annually assem-
bling here, but can look back with pride and
pleasure TO the past but feel genial, full
souled qualification in marking not only the
constant progress that has attended your Ell
forts but also the good teelins and harmony
which has so constantly prevailed. With a
history 80 bright and cheering. full OF results
carving with them measures Of pleasure and
nrofit TO almost every fire side In the county,
YOU have not only reward for what has been
done; but a stimulanG for further exertIons.
The advantages of your society, and OF
kindred societies throughout the land, are
not. and should not be confined solely TO the
improvement of stock and the products of the
soil; though these constitute great feature
in your organization. The Improvements and
elevation mentally, socially and politically OF
those who are to make these improvements,
should be the paramount object. lie has been
too much the habit Of publ, speakers to dep
recate the want Of intelligence on the part OF
the tillers of the soil. However justly such
remarks may apply to the industrial classes
of other countries here the farmer Is ma
lures nobleman,-here, he Is the best specl-
men of Gods handi work. man. As com
pared with the other classes which surroun nd
him, he is neither void of Intelligence nor the
capacity to acquire 1t. That he at all times
makes the best use Of the intelligence he pos
privileges which naturally should be his, is a
question for consideration. As the usual top
les for agricultural addresses are becoming
somewhat hacknied, you will pardon me If
devlate from the beaten path and allude to
one of the subjects of paramount Importance
to the producing classes at the present time,
-exhorbitant, and, as / believe. unequal and
unnecessary taxation. To some my remarks
may appear irrelavent; yet, it you will give
me your attention, you will discover that the
interest of the great class we represent Is
kept in view.
1t is q theory of our government, pretty
we'll established, that all men shall have the
right to enjoy the products of their own labor.
Another theory. equally important, is,-that
al are entitled to fair representation In the
councils of the nation.
Are you, my fellow-farmers, well assured
that you are in the possession and uninter
rupted enjoyment of that great and Inestlma-
BILE right which has so agItated the nation tor
the past few years-thai right tor which so
much has been hasarded--snd so much sac
rifced in order to secure it to another race
the right of enjoying the products of your
own labor2
While you are willingly making sacrifices
in the payment of heavy taxes for the sup
port of your government in this, the time OF
it's greatest need, are you aware that You are
paying many times more for the benefit of in
dividuals who have no just claim upon your
bountyf At this time, when the nation IL
struggling under an amount OF indebtedness
which threatens to overwhelm tan amount
go large that the most sanguine appalled,
at it's magnitude, and shrink back in dismay
at the thought of ever liquidating it
Are YOU aware that you are annually paw
ing in taxes and accumulations consequent
upou taxes, an amount sufficient to pay the
whole of our national debt in tiUe years if the
amount so paid could reach the national treas
ury? This is not an idle question. | ask it
upon the hypothesis that an affirmative an
swer to it is either true or not true. If true.
then does it not establish the fact that you
are not at liberty to enjoy the fruits OF your
labor7 And does it not also establish that
other fact that the right is taken from you
by unequal and unjust legislation?
Do not fear that l am about to commit
treason; or that / am about to council you to
resist the just and benefcent laws of the land.
Such course is farthest from my thoughts
Instead, would council you to give q cheer
ful,earpes. and ardent support to the govern
ment, as know you will, and protect your
own interests at the same time. 1t is o well
established fact which none are so presumpt-
uous as to controvert at this time. that all
aoedlh is derived from the soil. Ii is equally
we'll established that all tares however levied,
or from whatever source derived must ulti-
mately fall upon the soils product These
are axioms, 80 well understood that any
proof In support of them would be superfiu-
pNs. IL follows, then, a. a consequence, that