The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-13
CT. BOYD, En,roRs.
JOHN +. BANKS,
The Emergency of the Republic.

The Emergency of the Republic.
GBy J. NJ. Hickey, in National Econ
omist.
The Jefersonian ideal was plain
farmers government, and the true
policy to perpetuate the blessings OF
good government, is to encourage agrl-
culture; that history furnishes no ex-
ample Of people losing their liberties
where the masses were agriculturists.
The pursuit of the farmer develops the
best instincts of man, and elevates his
nature, relying as be does upon the
rains and sunshine of heaven to reward
his industry. All other pursuits court
the favor of the employers or prey
upon the miseries and frailties and the
eredulilty of submissive ignorance, and
arrogates the monopoly of legislation
It is true they build large towns and
magnificent cities, that display the
luxury of wealth and cultivate me-
ehanics and the arts, and the refine
ments Of literature; at the same time
they are the nurseries of all the vices
that afflict society, and the hot-beds OF
political intrigue that corrupts and
peryerts the body polite. The tillers
Of the soil, by their honest toll, brave
the heat of summer and cold of winter
transforming the earth's barren
wastes into fruitful paradise for the
sustenance and comfort of mankind,
and give US our daily bread.
With our large domain and diversl-
fed productions, farming is the great
interest of this country and first in
importance so much so that every
other interest is dependent upon its
success; yet strange, there is little or
no representation Of the farming in
terest in the balls of legislation. The
merchants, the manufacturers, the
doctors, the lawyers, the bankers, the
millionaire money kings and the pro-
fessional politicians are all there. A
farmer Senator, or farmer Congress
man is looked upon almost as an anon
ally. The political movement of the
farmers that is being organized
throughout the States is regarded by
the partisan leaders of old parties as an
innovation of their prerogative priv
ileges, and necessarily eyanescent.
But is must not be forgotten that the
farmer element is no exception to the
rule, that having come to the knowl-
edge of its power it will be pretty sure
to assert it in defence of its interest.
The sympathies Of thoughtful minds
who deprecate the degeneracy and cor
ruption of old parties; the depressed
labor interests and the absorption OF its
prooucts by organized capital and leg
islation in its behalf extravagant pub
lie expenditures, national, State and
municipal, that annually exceed the
whole currency circulation, is an emer-
gency equal to that of the ancient
Romans when they took Cincinnatus,
the farmer, from his plow and made
him dictator on two occasions-both
times after restoring tranquility and
and order to his country tnat he loved
so much he resigned his high position.
The Roman Senate would have en-
riched him, but he declined their prof
fers, choosing to retire to his little farm
and cottage, content with competence
and fame. Washington, Jefferson, and
many Of their co-patriots who founded
our Government, were farmers, and
largely identified with farming inter-
ests. Their matchless example of
capacity and patriotism in organizing
and conducting the Government was
an achievement unequaled in the his
tory of the national development of the
universal happiness and prosperity of
any people. But the plain simplicity
and economical system inaugurated
by them, is of late years becoming
myth of the past, and we are fast sur
passing the splendid royalty of Europe.
While the form Of the republic may re-
main yet, by a lack of vigilance and
true patriotism, and the allurement
Of government mercenary favors, or
blinded by partisan or sectional preju-
dice, it is possible for designing men to
get into the high councils of the gov
ernment, and control it in the interest
of the few, and to the prejudice Of the
many.
After all, the blessings Of Republican
government rests on the intelligence
and virtue of the people. The stream
can never rise above its source.