Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-10

cllities Of education to the agricultural
classes. The latter, however in my hum
BILE opinion, should be left to the Several
States, or at least entirely under their con-
troll. -
In conclusion, let me say it Is far from
my purpose to discuss the political issues
of the day; yet, must refer, before con-
clude, to certain relations of Federal taxa
ton to our great farming industries. Tt is
surely known to all that the legislation of
Congress upon this subject has been always
either openly hostile to certain great pro-
ducts of agriculture, or has wholly failed
to foster or encourage any of them by any
decisive or adequate measures. The bur
dens have been thrown upon the honest
| toilers of agriculture and mechanics, while
the millionaire and the Inonopolist have
not borne their just proportions. Of this
fact there can be no possible dispute; all
men know it. They know, too, that in the
National Treasury vast surplus is collect
| ed, mOnstrOus corruption fuEd, which
constantly threatens calamity to the coun-
try through dangerous corruption and col
| lusion OF the public servants employed in
the administration of the government. In
the meantime an odiOus, onerous and wick
ed tax is left upon certain great products of
agriculture. A tax not necessary for reve-
nue., and only serving to pay an army of
officials, corrupt and corrupting, and help
ing to swell that dangerous surplus in the
treaeury. And what, my friend, does that
surplus represent? Does it not represent
the agony and sweat of millions of men
and women, toiling. toiling, toiling hope
lessly, and millions of hungry children cry
ing helplessly for bread!
1t is my best Judgment as business
man, that it is to the last degree impolitic
and unwise to maintain two systems of
Federal taxation, when it is demonstrated
that one is more than sufficient for the gov
ernment on liberal foundation, as becomes
great and progressive people. A mig y
ardly parsimony of expenditure, falsely
styled honest economy, / loath and despise,
for know it to be one of the lowest frauds
of the political hypocrite. l believe that
the remnants of the internal revenue sys-
tenn Chat most corrupt and vile political
machine) which rests almost wholly upon
agricultural products, should be entirely
and promptly abolished. Let the Federal
tax be gathered-first, for the revenues of 3
the government; second, in the interests of
the great productive industries of the land;
third, let it bear upon capital rather than
labor. Let it wrongfully oppress no class
nor condition of men; nevertheless, take
due heed that it shall bear ever lightly upon
the poor. Surely, we must believe there ia
wisdom in the country sufficient for this IL
the desire and honest purpose exist.
Farmers and mechanics, laborers and
producers of every class, we are brothers
in common cause; let us stand together as
one man against corruption and oppression
in whatever form they come, by whatever
name they may be called, whatever dis
guse they NAV assume Organize [ beg
you organize, to resist further aggressions;
without organization you cannot stand be-
fore the trained and desperate legions of
corruption. My brothers of the plow, by
Divine authority, the post of honor is
yours. In this great couflct you must take
the lead. Organize, equip for the onset, OF
else the hosts of monopoly and corruption
will trample you in the dust beneath their
feet, and the great cause will be lost.