West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-10-23


lows:
Whereas the deep and widespread depression and
decay OF the agricultural Interests o. the American
hortrsge iodebtedness ON asrlcuRnfai lands. the
stx ars or % home market, TO furnish rensneTs
end insunieieicy OF In.rney "a circulation IA Tie
mes q the country aud efect exchanges OF property
everw heIinE importance to the sSieiy and The veil
being 81 the Government Therefore,
ste IN the present crisis 70 lay aside aildscusion
49,, ststlen ~ mere party issues and 10 give
And adoption Of snch measures required for
underpAid laborers OF tie United states.
Mr.. Noorhees-Mr. President, there is
trouble at this time in the hearts and
minds of the farmers of this country.
There is a deep, strong current of disoon-
tent, anxiety, and alarm prevailing in all
the farming regions of the United States,
and that current is growing swifter
stronger, and moro threatening every
hour. The spirit of unrest, irritation,
and pProach isabroad amongst the tillers
Of the soil to an extent never before
known in American history. The mil
hons who plow and SOW and reap are be-
ing moved by a mighty and concerted inn
pulse to inquire into the causes which
have led to their present calamitous and
oppressed condition.
propose, on this occasion TO aid them
70 the extent of my ability in pushing
this most natural and necessary inquiry,
and in securing an honest and truthful
answer. The farmer is the progenitor of
the human race, and was the first to stand
In the presence of the Creator and 10 re-
eeive from HINT he decree Of the divine
mind on the question Of labor. From the
farmers loins has descended the human
family, with all its widespread and far
reaching branches, and wherever his dig
nifty, honor, and prosperity have been ig-
nored or trampled under foot, there the
worst forms of government and the dark
est scenes of barbarism have been found
God created farmer to begin with, and
in all the ages since His blessings have
been most abundant and His civilization
most glorious in the history ofthe nations
and peoples where the farmer has ranked
highest, and where his comfort and pros
peiity have been the greatest care and
chief concern of government.
The foundations of all human progress
are in the hand Of the farmer and are
laid by him as he asserts dominion by
his daily toll over the tremendous forces
and illimitable resources of nature. Who
fails to be fascinated by contemplation
of the commerce of the seas? The thought
fs a most inspiring one that at this mo-
neDt the richly iIeighted ships of all the
nations of The earth are moving through
the oceans, and swarming on all the
coasts and into all the harbors known to
civilized man; and yet all this mighty
system Of commerce, traffic, and exchange
f. as dependent upon the corn fields and
wheat fields Of the farmer as the fields
themselves are upon the dews and rains
and sunshine Of heaven. How brilliant,
wonderful, and aweinspinng appear the
great cities Of the world to the casual
glance Of the unrefecting mind.
The ordinary traveller speeds on and on.
thousands Of miles through farm lands.
gazing listlessly at farm houses and farm
productions, thinking nothing Of the
Fundamental lessonsthey teach, but look
ing forward to the problems and mys-
teries, and wealth C0ntrivances Of the
crowded, Specializing and stock earnb-
ling city which he is rapidly approaching;
and yet that city would wither and perish,
shnvel back 70 barren, naked beach; its
wbarfs ould rot, and its swollen corpor-
atious and naughty millionaires would
dwindle into poverty stricken skeletons,
no better fed fhan PbsraOh'e lean kline
were IL not that the fountains Of its
wealth. support. and grandeur are kent
Oben ard running. day and night. by the
cultivation Of the soil IN the great domain
Of agriculture.
Giided palaces, harOnial castles. marble
halls, colossal estates outriyaling iu value
the richest dukedoms Of the Old World.
all draw their susienance from the bosom
Of mother earth gheir roots strike deep into
the mold ihat is TUNED BY the pillow. and
the farmer at lalt is made 20 pay for ali.
IL is estimated that over twenty millions
If the present population Of the United
States, counting ali ages and both sexes.
are engaged ib The cultivate u OF the soil.
end on their productive labor, not only
the Government itself leans for support
bot also OIL other classes of citizens de-
i've from he same source their prosperity.
their wealth, and too often their profuss
and criminal luxurics. Us IL not well.
therefore On The present iuucture Of affairs
20 turn away from less important ques-
lions end look carefully into the condition
o. the agricultural MASSES, who bear the
burdens and constitute the strength ard
glory Of the Republic?
Sir. it IS now nearly thirty years since
the crisis 1T terrible war gave 10 unhal.
lowed avarice an opportunity 70 prey
upon the self sacrificing patriotism Of he
country and to plumber the working neo.
pie Of their hard and honest earnings.
such as was never before in the history OF
nations presented to the bhsest passions
ano most soIdid odious vice ia the fallen
nature o. man. ln ell the financial coun-
seia Of tho Government at that Hne
hemldon, The temcn of riches FER tie