The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-11-04
The Relations of Politics
TO
Agriculture & Commerce
A WORD TO THE FARMERS.

The prosperity OF our country depends
now, as it always has depended, upon the
products Of our soil, whether gathered from
the crops on the face of the earth or from
the mihes of mineral wealth under its sur
face. The mining interest is an important
and growing one but we are first of all an
agricultural country, and when the farmers
prosper, all classes of citizens prosper with
them, for the reason that over three-fourths
Of our wealth is invested in the growing,
the transportation and the use of our crops.
OF all classes the farmers have to pay the
taxes with the greatest regularity, because
the Government has always a sure lien
upon their land, and they cannot escape
taxation by false statement of value, or by
change Of residence, as can the owner of
portable personal property. The bond
holder or stockholder may conceal his
wealth, bat the farmers wealth lies in his
broad acres, open to the eyes of all. Con-
sequently, upon him falls the heaviest as
sessmcnt, and from him is exacted the
fullest collection. 1t is therefore the in
terest Of the farmer beyond that of all
other classes to see that taxation is moder-
ate, and that the expenses Of government
are so regulated as to fall us light as pos
sible upon the owners of the land. The
land owner is part owner of the United
States on its actual SOIL Beyond any
other citizen, he has an interest in the
country because his ownership of part of
the country is actual and physical. The
farmers therefore, should be now, as they
were in all previous periods Of our history,
the foremost patriots. In the war of the
Revolution, they first resisted tyranny, be-
cause it overtaxed their lands, and depriv-
ed them Of their just voice in the man
agement of the affairs of the Government,
which they supported. In the war for the
Union their sons were the first to 60 to
the front, to shed their blood for the pre-
servation of the country their ancestors
had established, and the last to leave the
field when the perpetuity Of the Union was
restored. The questions Of taxation and
economy in government are questions which
commend themselves particularly to the
farmers. If taxes can be lowered, and the
burdens upon land reduced, the owners of
the soil will profit by the reduction more
speedily and more constantly than any
other class.
There are two parties now presenting
themselves to the sufrages of the citizens
of the United States: The Republicans,
who appeal to the passions and prejudices
Of the war as a reason why they should be
trusted with continued power over all our
governmental affairs, and especially over
questions of taxation and the Democratic
party, which makes the issues Of this can
vass the questions ofreunion, retrenchment
and reform. The Republicans claim that
it would be injurious to the future welfare
Of the United States to trust with power
party, portion Of whose members were
once arrayed in hostility against it. The
Democrats claim that the Republican par
ty has, by q long lease of power and con-
tinued fraud in government, become SO
extravagant and corrupt that to continue
Il in authority would be destructive TO the
financial interests of citizens, and by ruin.
ing individuals would speedily ruin the
credit aud prosperity Of the United States.
The Democrats allege that, whileit is true
that great many who are now Democrats
were in rebellion, it is also true that a
great many who are now Republicans have
contributed to the financial ruin Of the
United States and its citizens, and that
not a few who were favorable to tho Con-
federate cause are now, like Moseby and
Longstreet, ardent supporters of the Ad-
ministration, because they prefer to en-
brace that cause which yields them the
greatest personal profit and consideration.
The Democrats say that in the war against
secession they contributed no less of blood
and sinew to the triumph Of the Union
cause than did their opponents, and that
while they have traded less, politically,
upon their exploits from 1861 to 1866,
their services were not less meritorious.
In support Of this claim Of the general
uuisnism Of the Northern Democracy,
they bring forward the signatures Of null
titudes Of ex-soldiers and sailors, who de-
clare themselves in favor of the election of
Tilden and Hendricks. They do not shirk
discussion Of any issue, but insist that the
people should now consider those issues
which are practical to each individual at
the present time. The attitude Of the two
parties is then that one advocates revival
Of the dead aud settled issues Of the past,
and the other n consideration Of the living
issues Of the present, such as how much
per acre every man shall have to pay as
tax on his land, and what profit shall be
left him after the liquidation of the public
charges upon his industry. There is no
mistaking the fact that our country Is not