Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-03
AGRICULTURE.
IT'S RELATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT
SENATOR yANCE's vIEws-THE FARM
Frs NATIONAL CONGRESS.

Wnon q mighty udbioH VI peOplo aio ~
viewing the wonders of their natural re-
souces, they are very apt to discern the ele-
ments which contribute most to the power
that gives their country it's position among
the governments of the world. Not before,
nor since the organizations Of institutions
securing the rights Of civil and religious
liberty under constitution and laws, has
there been conceived any plan of govern
ment which was comparable to that OF the
United States. The chart was practically
in effect when the British power was
thrown off by the colonies, and the sue
cessful termination of the Revolution was
due not only to the leadership of our az
mics and the patriotism Of the people, but
also to the natural resources of the coun-
try And when, in the gloomiest days OF
the struggle, the great mind of Washing
ton had to contemplate. the exigeneies OF
the situation, tie sure reliance, if driven
to the interior in the last defence, resteo
upon the power to create there military
stores and sustenance, as well as to IN
crease the numbers and animate his 1oi-
lowers in the impending issues.
From the time Of the earliest settlements
to this day, the greatest power in this land
has had, and will, in the future, continue
to have its source in agriculture. Search
all the systems and appliances in husban-
dry pursuits of the old world and they
stand away off in the background when
compared with those developed by practl-
cal American thought and action. The ex-
pensive garden-farming Of England has
not suggested, in its thousand years of ex-
istenee, any implement at all comparable
to those to be found in daily use upon our
Augusta farms American inventive ge-
MUS has received inspiration from the
yery fruitfulnsss in natural resources OF
the soil, as it comes to the aid OF the toll
ING man in his round OF work in sowing
and in reaping.
The Agricultural interests Of this country
cannot longer delay the consideration OF
their great need for aid which alone can
come through Congressional legislation and
the national government. Science is too
rapid in it's progress for the government to
remain neglectful Of the one great interest,
whilst it bestows favora on others OF less
importance than the one which is the cor
ner-stone of the prosperity Of this country.
The many methods in which science can
come to the aid of Agriculture in DO other
way than through the agency Or the Fed
eral government, have been partially set
forth. The signal service alone is OF i'm
mense value, but yet it is, in view Of the
great advantages q maGured sy9tem would
confer, almost denied to the widespread and
expanding Agricultural interest. The
crop-producing interests of. this country
bear every bslz6en, and furnish seven
eighths Of the exporting commerce OF the
country, and yet they have 20 representa-
tien in Congress. They have 10 voice ii
the Executive department, and they stand
helpless, except through their own natu-
raj force, under the will and direction of
HAlSA SOdiN icb CAlSO deiJ
without the sustaining power they furnish
The little donation Of an Agricultural
and Mechanical school fund, and mere
bureau of statistics, will not satisfy the
grear, powerful, and expanding agriculture
of this country. It needs, and it will de-
mand, the essential power in administra-
ton, which shall free it from the embar-
easements OF denied participation with
Other interests which receive the fostering
care OF the government. Before the move
ment to give agriculture representative
power had assumed the proportions it has
of late. Senator Vance, that sagacious and
live American statesman, delivered him
self, when speaking Of the farmers of this
country, as follows:
''In what has come to be called 'busi-
ness and the business interests they are
not supposed to be embraced at all. We
hear every day that the effect of this or
the doing Of that, OR the omission Of the
other will promote the business interests
OF will alarm the business interests or
will be resisted by the business interests ,
anu Olttu Ii ID Sdlts Ottt1 DuSIlSSS iItCfCSCS
demand the doing or not doing Of GER
tain thing. In other words, the claim of
the banks and stockholders, the transDorta-
ton companies, the though
a great minority-to regulate affairs and
control legislation is openly acknowledged
and acquiesced in. The larger class, who
make bread and meat for Others and fur
nish the chief means of their foreign ex-
changes, are not referred to or consulted;
their labors and cares by dag and night,
their hopes and fears. their prosperity and
welfare, are not 'GaSinessP Nobody is
afraid Of them; they demand nothing.
"Again, it is said that it is not possible
for the farmers to do otherwise than SUBJ
NIT, because they are so widely scattered
over so large territory, they cannot in the
nature of things surround shemselves by
organization, apply prompt and connected
methods of action, aggressive and defen-
sive, for the common interest, as the other
classes do. | know that their situation
renders prompt and united action difficult,
but | do not believe it impossible. On the
contrary, l believe it perfectly feasible to
organize the agricultural interests of this
vast county for its defense against TIE ty-
ranny of capital in business, as well as
against it In legislation. But it will IN
dOuDtedly require HSf2 taD0f ana organic
ing ability than has heretofore been ex-
tended in that direction. Let them learn
from politics.
every interest in America comes to
Washington to influence legislation except
| the agricultural. Why should they not be
there also? It ie not q reputable bust
ness-lobbying admit, but it is done
nevertheless, and greatly to the benefit of
those who do it. The business interests
are as regularly and continuously on hand
as the representatives OF foreign nations,
and forty times more importunate.
+; "The farmer is not there-never has
been--ssaa is, therefore, presumed to be
satisfied, and SC make no objection to any
proposed legislation whatever.
s'The banks, transportation companies,
and manufacturers, have their conferences,
and agree upon such designs and tactics as
every crisis IN their affairs requires; even
the Workingmen in every branch of labor
have protective organizations, greatly to
their advantage, headed by able and zeal
GUS men, sharply on the lockout for the
interests of their class. The farmer alone
is unorganized and defenceless. He fights
with club and naked breast, as our Celtic
opoosSoro did auainst tho LoeDoct c+oo1 a.