The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-10-18

/ felt somewhat aggrieved When my
friend Mr.. West spoke of me as one
known in public capacity. With due
Difference to his opinion, and indeed
when have read what, some of the
newspapers have said Of me, have con
siderable doubts regarding my own char
acter daughter and applsuse], l do moi
come here as public man, but in my
character as farmer, and in that capac'
ity have an unquestioned reputation
Ifyou doubt it, ask any of my neighbors
and they will tell you that / am one oI
the poorest faimers they know Of
When retired from public life, aided
somewhat by the people of Lewis county
if remember the canvass correctly,
went into the country to enjoy the nu'
merous objects Of interest to be found
aherein. You will remember the history
of many public men, that after laboring
hard in prominent positions, they al
ways enjoyed the thought that they could
end their days quietly in the country
when man tells you his tastes do moi
lead him into the country, he virtually
tells YOU he does not know how to Hp.
preciate the things which should be en-
ioyed and appreciated by all true men
things which tend TO make ones life con-
tented and happy. can say but little
TO you to day because my health is in
firm and my voice broken.
] congratulate the farmers of Lewis
county upon the success which has at
tended their labOrs this year. / con.
graduate you for another reason: Fol
the last ten years some men, by concOct'
ing varions schemes have attempted to
live in opposition to Gods own laws, that
provide that all men shall do their own
share of labor and toll, forgetting that
such is the result of Gods command, and
for time many were tempted with
longings to possess that which they had
not earned by labor But time and truth
ultimately lay all things bare. After all
il is shown how futile all such schemes
and experiments are, and we find our
selves brought back to appreciation ol
the first great principles of political econ
omy, and we are more firmly impressed
with the fact that the safety of the count
nv rests upon the success of the honest
labors of the holders of the plow. Nv
friend who preceded me has told you OF
the majesty of this great country, and
pointed out to you its many advantages
over other lands. He might have told
you how we have won our progress and
gained our great numbers, wealth and
prosperity. We think better of our
country than of all others because we
should do so. This comes from no mar
row or selfish feeling, for we gladly well
come men of all countries to enjoy with
us the fruits of industry to be found upon
our fertile plains. When he felt the su-
periority of our country, he probably
felt as did when in conversation with a
distinguished EngIishman, peer of the
realm, who occupied high positions, and
he inquired, Don't you think you made
a very great mistake when You separa-
ted from Great Britain?" / saw he was
serious and respectful, but could not
help replying, "Well, on the whole l
think We are sorry we let you CO." APP
plause and laughter You may be sur
prised at this answer, but in the history
of the world there has been no such nat
ural increase in population as ours. 1000.
900 every year, and more than 100 every
hour. Nor is this all. We are waging
a war on Europe as other countries are
doing, but in different way. Ours is
peaceful struggle, but we are taking year
after year over 100000 prisoners to give
us new wealth, new life, new blood and
new strength. No other people on the
globe have taken advantage of the aid of
machinery in all branches of labor as we
have All our people are ingenious and
expert. As Mr.. Conkling we'll said, one
of the great questions to be solved is, can
we send across the broad Atlantic and
put down in the docks of European ports
the products of our soil as cheap as they
can be put there by other countries near
er by. In coming years we will make
still greater advances; we have done very
much by the use of machinery, and we
have done well in agricultural pursuits.
When | talk to foreigner of our super
iority, Tell him to go the saleroOms at
Utica, little Falls or Watertown and see
how the buying and selling of butter,
cheese and other products are conducted,
based upon the rates of gold in Europe as
marked on the blackboard. Doyou ever
think Of the great value of agriculture
in this Country as compared with that of
other countries? Go to England and con-
slider that Great Britain is forced to con-
sumo all the products of her soil in feed.
ing her own people. In England they
bring crops from one country, beef from
a second, and other things from third.
Here the beef we eat has made greater
journeys than any of us ever hope to
make before it reaches us; our -four comes
from a great distance. This country is
outstripping all others in the world in its
products. While in Chicago | discover
ed that an immense business has grown
from preparing calves tongues and pigs
feet for European markets. They are
better able to do that in the West than
we are, on account of the greater abun-
dance of their supply. In expressing
my surprise at this to a banker, he said:
~Why, sir, l can tell you something more
startling than that. One of my custom
ers produced large drafts upon certain
quarter, and when asked him how that
happened, he said: THAT ia for the blood
l sell. The blood of Chicago is exported
for agricultural purposes"
All this shows that we ara having
vast deal more Of agricultural pursuits
than others, so our farmers will be oblig-
ed to make themselves the most intelli-
gent farmers in the world. You are bet
ter acquainted with the secrets Of agricul.
ture, and regarding the enemies with
which farmers have to contend than
many others. If ask the farmers of
Oneida what their greatest anamiaa are
they will say "insect life" or the plague
of the potato bug, others will say the
"lo,ust," another name for the grasshop.
per. Every man here knows Of the OPP
erations Of the Wireworms and grubs.
What surprises me is that we know so
little of the habits and life of our worst
enemies. One form of insect life would
eventually destroy human life if not held |
in allegiance by another grade Of insects.
How many farmers can say intelligently, |