Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1889-07-18

vile G0isT1ey-J0asT7s0t tnus eiaD0fates
on the high-tariif:
A brave, intelligent and hardy yec-
many is the life Of people. II sup
ports the political system. All other
parts of the nation are dependent
upon it for strength and vitality.
When il falls into decay the whole ID
threatened. No country has ever ris-
en- TO eminence unless upon the sup
port given BY the tillers Of the soil.
In times Of danger the country looks
firss TO them. The most of those who
die at the front in battle have swung
the hoe and followed the pillow. When
the farmer loses his rights it IL time
for statesmen to look well to their
country. When he 10 free and happy
under just laws the prosperity of all
is assured. Every great nation which
has fallen can date its destruction
from the oppression of The agricultural
classes. When the motive for endeav-
or was taken away from those who
drew their sustenaEcs from the soil
general ruin followed. History does
not show an exception.
This ia the first Of ell agricultural
nations. Soil, climate and extent Of
territory combine to render il such
Our country was made by the farmers.
Their axes and rifles opened it from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. What
ever credit we are entitled to as
people is due to the strong SON of the
soil.
There are two thousand million
acres of land in the United States, an
abundance for everybody. and with
such ample opportunities it seems
that the pursuit of farming should
stand first in the public estimation.
But since the tariff has made it I'M.
profitable it has likewise become un-
fashionable. With the loss of wealth,
power and influence are slipping from
the hands Of the farmer. Men nat
urally choose vacations in which they
will be respected and honored. The
farmers son sees that cultivation of
the soil in the United States is OPP
pressed, and abandons his fathers vo-
cation.
Nowhere can the loss of influence
by the farmer be more easily traced
than in legislation. Nearly all our
millionaires in the Senate were not
only made by the tariff, but placed
there by the tariff. A half century
ago the farmers controlled the gov
eminent. They sent to Washington
to make their laws such men as Web.
ster, Clay, Calhoun, who made gov.
srnment study. and devoted their
lives to al advancement of the theo-
ries which they thought correct
These frequently make mistakes. but
they are the only men fit to be at the
head of a nations affairs. for govern
ment is an art and science. a combi-
nation of theory and practice. and to
be learned only by diligent study and
close observation.
A man, unless he be an exception
able mortal, cannot spend all his life
until middle age is reached or passed
in commercial pursuits, then abandon
the latter and become wise and good
law maker. He may wish TO do the
right thing. but it is too late for him
20 learn new trade and be can only
blindly obey his leader. The farmer
has always had great respect for
those whom he places over him. and
throughout our history our ablest
members in Congress have come from
the rural districts. There to become
Congressman is still considered an
honor. and the man who aspires to
such position must have a clean re.
cord and be thought worthy Of the
place.
Thus in our early days and until
the Civil War the farmers chose our
legislators and shaped our legislation.
and both were respected at home and
abroad. But after the war. when the
occupation of farming was ruined by
the tariff. the people began to flock
TO the cities. for in the last twenty
years the population of the latter has
grown far out Of proportion TO that of
the whole country. and the rural In
fiuence over tne government began
TO decay. With the increase of city
members. the tone of the Senate and
lower House has unquestionably been
lowered. Professor Bryce. the emf
nent Scotchman. whose book upon the
United States has caused so much
comment quickly observed it. It viii
not take him or any other long to
leaix why it is so. The city voter il
VIGOROUSLY more corrupt than his