The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-12-25

of nature, has richly blessed Ma
ton and their happy homes.
That such bene6cent industry
agficulture-should be obstruCted
in its useful mission and retarded in
its development by the cupidity of
men to whom it gives susteasnce
without receiving due return is not
strange for it builds no walls of de-
fence until the necessity plainly ap-
pears, and treSbaSSers (capitaD are
enticed by its lavish bounties while
the 7VorkerS (farmers) continue their
work unmindful of loss. Agriculture
pays taxes for the support of Gov
ernment far beyond its Just share
It's possessions are spread out to
public view, tangible and real, they
never escape. Other classes of
property less real, while they may
be more productive in profits, are
often concealed. Hence, the added
requirement placed upon agricul-
ture. Shrewd operators in specula-
tive enterprises III many cases ma
nipulate credits under forms Of law
in such manner as to extract pay
ment from the soil for the construc-
ton of railways, costly public build
ings, parks and pleasure -haunts,
decorations and adornments pleas
ant to behold, but incongruous in
their association with the simplicity
that characterizes farm life. The
products of agriculture are subject
ed to fuctuation and excessive
charges for carrying; by systematic
pressure of combinations they are
cheapened in the hands Of the pro
ducer, tossed hither and thither with
loss by the fictitious sales of grain
exchanges, falsely rated or weighed
in the markets, and in thousand
ways the prey of evil thrift that
gains by touch.
But greater than all these III its
depressing influence is the loss of
self-respect, the decay of true man
hood, that surely attends the degra-
dation of labor, and such is the
inevitable consequence of long
continued submission to organized
wrongs sustained by people meek
ly enduring-or feebly protesting
without the spirit to 1naugurate
right while they have yet power,
intelligence and will. In a govern
ment constituted and conducted by
the people intellig nee must be the
ruling force. The people must be
wise. And as nearly one havlf the
population of the United State is
identified with single pursuit-ag-
these people thus numer-
ically strong, casting a preponder-
ance of votes, because fixed and
stable; while other classes are more
shifting. and, therefore, have always
an appreciable proportion disquali
fed for the elective franchise, it fol-
lows that the cast of representation
must be made by the votaries of
agriculture. They may make the
Government what they wilt If
they are true to themselves and to
the country, whose greatness they
lave aided so much to create, they
will put their impress upon the af-
fairs of the Nation, and the Gov
ment will then reflect their intelli-
gence and virtue. Lacking this es
sential requisite of manhood the
mess of potage in exchange for the
birth-right of freedom is the price
of dishonor,-and people fallen SC
low that the dear privilege of self
government has no charm for their
possession must receive the brand
OF shame and go to the grovelling
that fits unframed muscle, stupid
thought and the dulled intellect
kindly tempered by nature-that
her meanest creatures may not fee
too keenly the sufferings they invite
In the economy of representa-
tive government 1t is of the highest
importance that the burdens of tax
alton of all kinds should be equita
bly, distributed, and especially thai
its industries should be untran mel
ed. Agriculture should even have
such encouragement as may be Of
| fered without disturbing the equili
brium necessary to the healthfu
growth of all industry. Let US ask
/ nothing for it that is not its jus
right. 1t requires no legacy from
the United States Treasury; it ha
! too much independence to solici
favors of doubtful proprlety; and i
will never sacrifice its dignity Il
/ become a mendicant. There is
however, a plain duty IL owes t'
itself in seeking such recognition
from the Government as may b.
j commensurate with its high achiev
ments, and the great service it will
ingly yields 10 the public welfare
1t should have full voice in tn