The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-07-18
A Trip Amongst the Farmers.
For The Egis.

For The Egis.
Last week took long drive in the upper part
On the entire route did not see one uncultivated
field. that 49, what we used to call "old field"
illustrate Utopian dreams. Every home appeared
the abode of peace, industry and contentment.
waving grain and grass, passing every few miles
neat school house or a tasteful or beautiful
church, what more can God do for man on the
earth?
Next came the question. why Isl that this pros
perity has never been seen on the earth before?
can see in England in France. i'll Holland, i'll
Germany and other countries fields as green and
as rich as here at home; but there freedom is still
imperfect and mans inhumanity to man still
makes countless millions mourn. Among the chief
evils that still cumber the ground in those old lands
the laws of primogenitare the conscrption the
standing army and the national church. From
all these the farmers of Hartford are exempt. Why
Is it that these sturdy farmers worship God III their
Wv th IS as 9y
may happen to be born in the humblest station
they may reach the highest place in the land?
Why is it that while their fathers cut their grain
with sckles and threShed it out with fails, they
harvest it riding in seat more comfortable than
kings of old enjoyed and thresh it with fire and
water?
1t is because the Gospel taught men the princi-
| Piles Of virtues. The growth OF virtue promoted
the growth of freedom which in turn gave us good
| government-government in which the child rock
ed in the cradle OF poverty might OutStrip the pam
the Wor I'D opportnites were thrown wide open
to every child in free America and thus his facul-
ties constant summation from the cradle
to the grave. Thus it came that American boys
gave the steamboat the telegraph, the telephone,
! the reaping machine the steam thresher and the
ten thousand fruits of inventive genius that have
elevated the condition of the American citizen in
the scale of life above that of the jewellers in any
| To whom should we build monuments to express
our gratitude. to the prime agents under God i'll
bringing to pass the blessed state OF the American
AS passed these beautiful homes, where every
prospect pleases, and where the air was laden
| with sweet fragrance of the clover and the rose;
when saw the little children cherry laden by the
| highway; and young madens decked for the even
ing in tasteful attire, awaiting their expected
| beauX, l asked what more can God do for these
| blessed people. The churches and the school
houses gave assurance OF steady growth in virtue
thing was Still wanting That one thing is the in
dividual appreciation of the truth that upon each
and every American citizen lies part of the re-
of the blessings of good government that they
enjoy. Government, like everything else, Is "a
growth. 1t is not an inspiration. Have we the
best and tlttest men as our servants in the public
offices? IL we have not we should work until we
put in operation system that will achieve that re-
suit. Does every man pay taxes Oh what he owns
and no more?
When the young farmer has saved thousand
dollars and buys farm start life tor 81, OOO
and pays his 81 OOO owing debt still of 81 600 does
he pay taxes only on the 81 900 that his or does he
that is not his? II we make him, through our laws
pay taxes on what is not his, we cheat this young
man and condemn him and his good wife whose
his tolls his blessings and his fame to life Of
slavery, whilst IN doing it we violate every prin
ciple Of free government and at the same time we
violate the Constitution of our State. Now while
the fruitful fields the beautiful homes the churches
the school houses all attest the intelligence, the
thrift and the industry of the people and while
their manly sons. their lovely daughters, their
happy wives and laughing children assure the
stranger who goes amongst them that virtue anC
happiness dwell in their households let it be t.
each and every man solemn duty, whilst they see
the rich protected to see that the struggling poor
not oppressed by paying taxes on more than they
actually own. If they will do this and the rich de
their duty and asthey enjoy now all that the bount,
Of providence can give on earth, they will also en-
Joy what theyfcan achieve for themselves-the full
blessing Of free and equal government.
l saw, too, the fine spring that is to supply Be
Air with water and the work being done to secure
its flow there. II appears to be in good haud
end trust the people of Bel Air will appreciate
It 90 the source of improved health end comfort
Seeing. before l started on my journey, the
banks, the Masonic temple. the carriage factory
and the beautiful homes Of Bel Air, then the
thrift and progress of Marshall's district, being
familiar with all other parts of the county, a
the end of my trip imagined 1 saw the whel,
population of Hartford grouped together, ant
that heard higher power give to the willing
people, in tones that all could hear, the loud com
mand. FORWARD.
June %. 1890.
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