The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-09-11
The Southern Farmers.
Speech of the Hon. Benz. H. Hill
ut the Fair at u on esbOI o., Ga,
August 8, 1873.

Ladies and Gentlemen: AS came on the
ground to day l was reminded of the fact
that made speech in this place eighteen
years ago. Tint was one of the first
speeches OF the first political campaign of
my life, What sad changes have occurred
since then! How many were present then
who are absent now! How terrible a war
grew out of the issues then discussed, and
one of its saddest battles was fought and
lost on this very spot.
l came here then purposely to make a
speech. l came to-day only to hear one
from our excellent Governor. But you in
sist upon hearing from me, and | will give
you a few thoughts on your agricultural
condition and prospects. And | shall speak
now as | spoke then-precsely what L be-
lieve to be true, and without any tiattery or
pandering to please you. For this style of
public writing and speaking / have been
pronounced by some to be wanting in good
judgment [Laughter.l Be it so. 1t is a
habit 1 snail never change or abandon. |
say of a truth to you to-day. would not
surrender the privilege of thinking indie
pendently and speaking plainly my honest
convictions for all the Offices in the gift OF
the people.
A people who will not see their danger
are not apt to provide for their safety; and
a people who prefer fattery to the truth
will not be apt to see their danger. They
will pass on, like the fool, and be punished,
and the days of our sorrow, | fear, are not
yet numbered. l was raised on a farm.
Agriculture has been passion with me. l
have followed it to my cost. | know more
about il than you imagine, anu have paid
more for my information than, perhaps, any
other man in the State.
All wealth comes primarily from the
ground. This is Gods decree. Science.
skill and art may improve, refine and add
value to that which is produced from the
earth, but the producer is the ORIG in--the
primary source-of all the wealth of this
world. and no man could live, much less
grow rich, but for the farmer.
And yet, as class, the agricultural pop
ulation is the poorest in all countries.
Wealth, money, accumulates in the hands
OF all trades more largely than in those of
the producer. Is il not strange that those
who produce all wealth should be the poor
est of all people? We saw in the papers a
few days ago that merchant in New York
who commenced trade poor boy. made an
inventory of his possessions. and found
himself worth one hundred millions of dol
larsl Think of thatl One man worth half
as much as the entire State of Georgia,
with all her lands, cities. towns, factories.
railroads, securities. and all property OF ev-
cry kind! And yet that man never, per-
haps, produced ten dollars of his vast
wealth from the ground. He made it by
trade. He managed to draw to himself the
wealth produced by Others, and. / dare say,
honestly too. There are many others,
traders and manufacturers in that same
city, who count their Accommodations by mil
lions. Where are your millionaire pro-
ducers? Who can find 0neS
Now, why is all this so? Why is it that
farmers work hard and keep poor, and
nearly all trades that handle their products
grow rich? cannot go to-day into details.
but will give you the great general rea-
son. The whole tendency Of legisia-
ton in this country is to enrich and build
up every other interest 1t the expense of
the agricultural! And it has been and IL SO
in almost, if not altogether, every govern
ment on the globe
How does it happen so Because the
merchant and the manufacturer take d.
rect and personal interest In legislation, and
make IL their business to study, to under