The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-07-05
AGRICULTURE a CONSERVA-
TIVE POWER IN COVER INTENT.

The agricultural interest is the great
conservative interest of our country. 1t
attaches men to the soil. 1t makes it de-
sirable for them to maintain our instltu
tions against the attacks of reckless men.
It may, perchance, sometimes make them
narrow and selfish, but it can never make
them revolutionists. It fosters neither
strikes nor the spirit of communism.
Those who own and cultivate the land are
naturally quiet and peaceful citizens. They
pay the heft of the taxes imposed for the
support of the government, and cast at all
elections majority of the the votes that
make presidents and congressman. They
furnish ballast to the ship of state, and
cargoes for the merchant ship of COM
merce In war they furnish the rank and
file of the army, and in peace they are the
mainstay and support of all productive
industries.
Notwithstanding the very important re-
lations that agriculture has held as con-
sentative and sustaining force in govern
ment, it has never received any marked
consideration of fostering care from the
government which it has made and sus-
tanned with both blood and treasure. AL
most all other interests however small or
insignificant, have been carefully looked
after and tenderly nursed, while this par
amount and pivotal interest has been left to
take care of itself as best as it could. No
one will deny but that this state of things
| is all wrong, and should for the benefit of
| the people and the country be speedily
changed But how is the change to
| be brought about? There is no way but
| for the agricultural class to steadfastly de-
mand their appropriate share in the man.
| Of rho croyorp,1oapt Rut ordar
| to accomplish successful results the farm
ers must fit themselves to fill with ability
any position under the government; they
must also have an organization through
which all can work for one common end.
Then they can come together and calmly
consider some of the expensive trappings
of government may not without any det-
riment to the public service be dispensed
with; whether some Improvements may
not be introduced, so that the more i'm
portant interests of society may be advanc-
ed. And in looking into the general work
ing of government they will not forget
| their own special interests. They will in
| sist on the reorganization of our agricul-
| tural bureau, so that it shall be conducted
| in the interest of the farming community,
and have cabinet officer at its head who
will have at heart the progress, the well
| fare and success of that class of citizens
who bear most of the burdens of govern
ment and who should share largely in its
| benefits
While the farmers can improve some
of their hours in these grand matters of
national interest, they can also turn their
thoughts to their own special work, and
congratulate themselves that they are en-
gagged IN an occupation so noble and ele-
waiting. Let the world of fashion talk as
it may, let dapper clerks and smooth faced
officials sheer as they may at our toilso,ne
life and homely manners, in our truer and
better moments we feel our nobility We
feel, after God, we are creators; that we
walk in daily intimacy with nature, and
are called upon daily to yield obedience to
her laws. A free heaven is spread always
above us; a friendly soil bears up our foot
steps. Let us always raise our thoughts
to heaven as we bend in labor on the
earth below. God will not deceive us.
| We of all men are sure of our reward
| Spirit of Kansas.