Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-09-24
BLAINE TO THE FARMERS.
The Plumed Knight Speaks of Hus-
bandry and COngratulates It's
Followers.
Manchester On. H dispatch.


James G. Blaine, ex-GoV. Smythe, George B.
Loring, and Mayor Portanan entered the grounds
OF the New England Fair at noon, followed in
other coaches by many distinguished citizens.
Mr. Blaine was received with cheers. When the
party had been seated, President Loring in
PRODUCED Mr.. Blaine, who spoke, saying:
1t is pleasant to find ourselves in an assem-
blage where all bear the name of higher honor
than that of any partisan designation,
semblage in which we meet on the broad plane
of American citizenship and rejoice in the title
as in itself constituting civic distinction Of
priceless value. The agricultural fair is the
farmers parliament. On this day and on this
occasion the most independent class of citizens
speaks to the world by word and bv deed for
that great fundamental interest on which the
Republic rests for it's security and its prosperity.
1t has become trite saying that agriculture is
the basis of all wealth, But the full measure of
the statement may be comprehended when we
remember that, in this year of grace 1884, the
total value of products from the farm and flock
in the United States will exceed $50 O50O, 900,
an amount brought forth in single year vastly
in excess of the national debt at it's highest
point. We are not in the habit of considering
New England as specially distinguished for
agriculture, and yet the annual product from
her soil is greater in value than all the gold
taken from the mines of California and of Aus
tralia in the richest years of their fabulous
yield The farmer is the true and always
successful miner in the extraction of
money from the earth-a fact most
strikingly shown in the history of Cali
fornia, whose splendid march to wealth and
power only fairly began when the energies Of
her people were turned to the production OF
bread for the world instead Of gold. The pro-
digious consumption of ST, DOC, 900 of people is
brought strikingly before US when we realize
how vast proportion OF our aggregate product
is used at home and how small share is sent
abroad hundred and odd millions of the
New England farm product does not support
her own people, and they are compelled to ex-
change the fruits of their mechanical industry
to an enormous amount annually for the means
of subsistence so lavishly outpoured from the
granaries of the more fertile West; and this
fact is but one of the many which show the in
dependence of our people and the vast extent
OF our internal exchanges. Tins scene to-day
has enhanced interest, when we retieco that,
throughout the gorgeous autumn upon which
have just entered, Will be reproduced in
countless communities throughout our land,
from ocean to ocean, from the northern lake to
the southern gulf richness of harvest and the
contentment and happiness of the EeoDie will
be shown on fields as fair, by displays bril-
liant, those which now delight our
eyes and gladden. our hearts. Nor will
this autumn exhaust the inspiring scenes
When the chill of winter on the northern border
of the union shall make the southern sun seem
genial and welcome, our brethren of the cotton
region will continue the wondrouS story They
invite Us to witness the commercial emporium
OF the South, the great triumph of southern ag-
nculture IN rue production OF that single plant
which has reVolutioniZed manufactures. They
have the finest of the world OF that which has
enriched the United States beyond the reach of
IMAGINATION, and has added intellectually to the
comfort, health, and luxury of the human race.
Standing as do in fair New England State,
1t IS an agreeable duty to extend 0ngratulatlons
TO the New England farmers on the results OF
Cnls year labor and on the general anu more
important fact that at no period in the history
OF New England husbandry has Intelligent labor
Deen blessed with more profitable results than
during the pres Mt generation Ii tnere De any
one that doubts this, wish he We're here to-day
and could hear what have heard and see whae
have seen. | heartily congratulate the New
exhibition, and I beg to return my sincere
thanks to all for the personal Kindness &n0
cordialicy with which have been honored.