Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-09-17
Speech by Governor Taylor.

MONROE, Wis, Aug. 80, 1874.
At the Grange picnic, three and half
miles east of Monroe, yesterday, 5000
addressed at length by H. M. Smith, of
Illinois, and Gov Taylor, of Wisconsin.
The Governor, on being introduced to
the assemblage, said that, notwithstand-
ing the reluctance he always felt at be-
ing placed before a public audience in
the capacity of aspeech-maker, he could
not decline saying few words in re-
Spouse to the kind invitation of the CON-
mittee. The occasion was a pleasant
one at this season of temporary rest from
that those before him, of this favored
locality, with not few from other por
tions of the State who, like himself, are
so fortunate as to enjoy their generous
hospitality, had gathered there to in
dulge in mutual congratulations, to cheer
each other in the journey OF life, and to
exchange opinions and sentiments con-
corning various topics Of common inter
est, especially such rs were of present
public importance.
1t has ever been misfortune of farm
ers, in all countries, that they have lived
lives of comparative isolation and have,
therefore, acted singly instead OF in &C.
cord. In consequence of this condition
they have been the prey of demagogues
and political parties. They had been
loyal patriots in time of war, and ODE
dent citizens in time OF peace, but have
usually had but little to say about the
conditions on which war should be waged
and quite as little in determining what
r. Y 4 f,,1
lations with each other. This condition
of things is not to continue. Under the
influence of democratic ideas there IS a
tendency to level up all classes of people
10 common plane, and to make that the
plane of the highest possible intelligence.
In America this is not so much the work
of government as of the people them
selves every class of whom accordingly
Happily for them, the agricultural popu-
lation of our country have numerical
superiority which makes it easy to in
sure to themselves the full enjoyment of
their rights. The only conditions want
ing are, first, q correct understanding of
what their rights and privileges are,
and, second, agreement as to the practi-
cal application of these principles in the
affairs of society and of the State. Both
of these conditions have long been in
process of fultillment, but never has there
been such progress toward their realiza-
ton as within these recent years.
1t is hopeful sign of the times that
the industrial population OF our country
are at last being aroused to a just sense
OF the prerogatives and duties of citizen
ship. In this work the Order to which
many of you belong has borne very i'm
portant part 1t has turned the thoughts
of agriculturists to the value of associa-
ton, and thrown hundreds of thousands
of them into more practical relationship.
1t may also prove of great service by
helping them to a correct understanding
of many questions of social and political
economy which SO intensely concern
them. Anxiety is manifested in some
quarters lest the movement thus Origi-
mated shall lead to communism; but
there is little danger of any such result.
The people of this country are of a to-
tally different material from that of
which communists are formed. They
neither incline TO take narrow and selfish
views nor are easily influenced by the
Misrepresentation of unscrupnlous DEM
agogues. They aim at Justice, and are
Well able to do their own thinking. If
they have not mastered all problems a
solution OF which is essential to their
well-being and that of the nation, they
are striving for the mastery, and will
gain it earlier for the systematic efforts
now put forth for full enlightenment OF
the industrial classes. They come to
realize, as never before, that they are the
sovereign power; that if matters GO
wrong in the Government it is because
theh have neglected their duties and the
guardianship of their liberty, as well
as the direction of public affairs
generally. They have learned that the
interests of labor and capital are mutual
and reciprocal, and that neither can dis
regard the other.
by putting together these two princi.
pies OF political science the principle OF
reciprocal duty and of popular sovereign
~, they have become political reforners,
winch, If prudently conducted, will
break the power of dangerous monepo
Hes and insure to the industrious masses
the just reward of their labor without
enGroaching upon the rights of capital.
Just now the effort at reform is espe
clally directed to securing of cheaI
transportation, cheap for the consuming
ana producing classes, and yet sufficient
~ profitable to reward the capital reall,
invested and to properly encourage flu