Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-02-13

ducts of the earth and other commodi-
ties, and merchandise an equal and pro
rata rate could only be charged upon
them; but since separation of tn g two
Virginias there seems to be no law to
restrain their acts in that point OF view,
and the company is left free to charge
what they please, and how they have
acted in this matter you all have known
and felt. The products of the great
Mississippi Valley are brought imme
diately in competition with the pro-
ducts of our valley The cost for the
transportation ola barrel of flour is nc
more from Indianapolis to the Balti-
more market than it is from Martins
burg TO the Baltimore market, which
is in this way working to us wonder
full disadvantage. Then instead of be-
ing benefit and blessing to us as it
once was, it is working powerfully
against us. In the great Mississippi
Valley, where they have fine land and
smooth surface, by labor saving ma
chinery they are enabled to raise their
crops much cheaper than we, and
they run their products into market at
about the same expense. We find
them to be q pow erful rival and it is at
once an incentive to an increase in their
farming business, while it is all done to
our disadvantages and should this state
of things continue will have a great
tendency to drive the husoandmen of
this valley to seek other callings and
other business for a livelihood, and all
must freely admit is worked up through
the instrumentality of this corporation.
Now, my brethren, while we profess
fairr ess to all, we Changers propose to
enter our protest to any such proceed
ings on their part, and endeavor to es-
tablish right and justice in this matter.
We propose to urge our Legislature to
interfere in our behalf and pass law to
checkmate these unequal and unjust
charges made upon us. We believe
we have that right. This railroad is
built hundreds of miles upon our soil,
and we believe so far as it lies within
our geographical boundaries, so far it
should be made subservient to our laws.
All classes of business men freely adj
nit that in the prosperity Of the farmer
lies more or less their prosperity, so
that none here are uninterested in the
furtherance of this great object. No
ore here can dissent from our views
upon this important project set on foot
by the Patrons of Husbandry.
There are many other evils in this
country working against the interests
of the husbandman, some of which may
be chargable to other classes; others to
his own bad management and want of
energy, therefore, my brethren, we do
rot come here tonight to charge all our
woes and misiortunes upon other peo-
Pile, but to acknowledge many imper-
feetions within ourselves, which, in our
hum BILE view, may be corrected by con-
constant communication with
Changers in way and manner equal
to any other way aud manner which
may be devised.
The isolated condition of the farmer
makes it impossible for him to have much
communication with the world. His work
and business requires him to stay at home,
and as DR., Franklin has justly said,
"Him that by the plough wonld thrive,
NJ list either hold himself or drive"
Then his opportunities TO possess in
formation relative to the business interests
of the country is such that men who are
sharpened up in the tricks of trade are
constantly imposing upon him, buying of
him his commodities and trading with
him at prices not at all remunerative, and
thus his labor goes to fatten and swell
peculation and speculation; build up cities
and enrich those that do not earn it by
by the sweat of their own brow. The
farmer then of all other has less opportu-
mites 80 mix up with other classes than
any other set of men, because IT is by this
process of rubbing up against each other
that we become learned in each other.
This habit Of viewing and entertaining
will brighten and polish the mind of man,
and so fortify it that to many people such
advantages surpass every other considera-
tion.
The Farmers Grange affords such per-
sons an opportunity of acquiring great
deal Of much needed information upon all
subjects relating to lis business. The
Grange have their regular and stated
meetings, in which matters relating to the
farm and field and all other business con-
nected with the farmers is discussed. USE
full and instructive periodical publications
are distributed among the Changers, Civ
nag many useful and valuable lessons in
farming and stock growing, besides ac-
curate statistics of the crops, the number
of stock is furnished them which has been
grown in the country. all of which is use
full information TO the farmer, because by
this means he becomes better informed as
to how prices may in the future probably
be regulated, all of which information is
profitable, and indeed indispe nsable to his
well being, to his well doing, and adds
wonderful advantages to his ability to ac-
cumulate property for himself and family.
The Grange, as | have already said, al
fords such men far better opportunities
than any other place or any other source
of information which can be furnished
him, and did this combination of farmers
information about his calling, this alone
would be Of incalculable value to him.
Many other beneficial results will neces-
sarily follow this combination, which we
but we go on to say that our wives aud