The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-10-31
CECIL FARMERS CLUB.
Regular October Meeting at Mr.. John P.
Wilson'S Near Sylmar.

took the chair at II a. M, the following mem
bers being present. H. s. Coudon, A. J. Mich
incr. Col. E. Noyes, Jno. p Wilson, Thomas
Bond L. L. Duyckinck, James H. Maxwell
and Henry II. Torbert The visitors present
hy invitation were the Rev. Harvey W. Ewing,
james Clifford, E. E. Ewing, Samuel NJ. Kirk,
VIM. L. Mearns and B. T. r. R. Robertson
The minutes of the last meeting having
been read and approved and reports of OK
periments being in order, Mr.. Duyckinck
said in drilling wheat this fall he placed the
timothy seeder in front of the drill and
drilled another portion with the seeder be-
hind the drill. at the rate of four quarts to
the acre. He could not at present see any
difference.
Mr.. Robertson reported that in places his
wheat seemed to be cut Off, possibly by the
grub or some other worm. The surrounding
wheat looked healthy.
Al the request OF the club Mr.. TorDcrt gave
II short recital of a recent tramp through an
agricultural county Of England.
The regular essay OF the host being in order
Mr. Wilson submitted the following paper:
Mr.. President and fellow members of the
club. In keeping with the time-hOnored Gus
tom OF the host furnishing Il theme for discus
sion have attempted to commit to paper some
| thoughts for your consideration and diSsect-
| ing. The usual trend of thought has been
some theory or practice strictly pertaining to
our calling, but practical questions relating
| purely to agriculture are too tame at this
| time to claim our attention. Hither to we tried
to stimulate growth, increase production,
multiply the yield; but today we are cop-
| fronted with the statement that we had done
too much that our efforts had been too gem
crously met; that benign Providence had
lavished upon us more than we needed; that
we had over estimated the worlds markets,
that we had provided beyond the worlds
ability to consumes that over-production is
| the cause of unrequited toll, and this, too, in
| face of the fact that there are millions in
enforced idleness, half fed. garners bursting
| from over-taXed capacity yet the avenues
through and by which this provision can be
| brought to those in need is closed. Without
| labor, without means, this is the condition
| today and in our calling is worthy of serious
| reflection. To recount our grievances we
may expect to hear the political shibboleth
calamity howlers. and as the condition of the
| farmers of this country was completely
diagnosed before this club lately l will not
| hero attempt a rehash but proceed to make
| some suggestions which may lead to Il SOlu-
| ton of the difficulty. Theorizing is no longer
practicable; condition exists. and if anchor
alton cometh not speedily the patient will be
beyond resuscitatiOn. In attempting to deal
with this problem | shall ask, in advance
your forbearance if shall unwlttingly over
step or trGSpasS on our timc-hOnored custom Of
eschewing politics. The question most affect
ing us and most prominent before the Ameri-
can people today is not political question
hut one purely economical, and wish to treat
it from that standpoint We, as farmers,
bovn "a tbDt which biIns ,ynpl
to one must be to all, or evil. vice versa. we
ARE a part of Il great whole. and no incon-
siderate factor, representing nearly one-third
of our great population engaged in calling
the most important in the world, the creative
one Of all wealth, save that Of the mine. provid-
ing for the necessities of mankind, yet today
representing languishing industry. having
sat idly by permitting professional politicians
to manage affairs Immediately affecting us
having been unwilling witnesses of the grad
ual depreciation in our possessions until today
not one farm in ten will sell under the
| hammer for the value Of the buildings, land
| practically valueless: yet, on the other hand
we arc told there is nothing wrong that we
! have an era Of unparalleled property. Our
| great dailes parading the revival of business
| mills reported as starting up all over the
country, but failing to note those that close;
| an era of unrest such rs no former period
| has witnessed, il agitating the country;
/
| water. The concentrated wealth of Il mighty
| nation is making herculean efforts to quiet
| the apprehensiOns of unrequited tOilers.
| Syndicates, corporations and combines vie
with each other in their contributions to II
| fund far in excess OF legitimate wants, and
| why? Jealous on account of the nations honor?
We think this, TO the unprciudiccd thinking
man, would provoke an audible smile if the
| case was not serious. The financial problem
| with which we are confronted, has largely
! broken down party lines; the millionaires,
| Princes and mobiles of the former great
| political organizations are making common
| cause for the perpGtuity of system and
policy, if continued at no far distant day
| must reiegate US to II system Of landlord and
| tenant such as prevails in the mOnarchies of
! Europe. My friends, this is no idle specua-
| tion, we are ourselves to blame for much Of
the caamity which is apparent before us, we
| have neglected our privileges, we have not
asserted our rights, but under the leadership
of that skilled commander-general apathy,
| we have been led to ignominioua defeat. We
| have seen our possessions in the last score of
| years dwndle one-half, and if present con-
| ditiOnS continue it does not require an expert
| to estimate when we will be penniless. With
| our farms in the hands of capitalists and so.
perhaps. foreign laud syndicates we nave the
alternative OF tenants at will of the landlord
! or Joining that army of nomads daily seen on
our highways. Agriculture is recognized as
| the foundation upon which our business
structure rests, il that foundation is impaired
it is folly to patch up the superstructure. as
| in the end it must come to naught. Restore
| that which will give us an even chance in life
and general prosperity must follow. There is
| perhaps no greater menace to our interests
than the trust system, whose blighting shadow
| and whitening mien like the deadly Upas
whose poisoning influence and effects are
seen far and wide paralyzing individual effort
exercising domination and maStCrShip,
equaled only by the heather despot. debating
the amount of business to be done that the
market may be kept in condition to yield
princelv returns, freezing out and boycotting
all that refuse to accept their censorship, a
potent factor. too in Legislation. The insidi-
Gus wiles and slimy trail of which is con-
spicuous in every Congress, armed with that
silent eloquence so effective, being substantial
in character, and having intrinsic worth is
irresistible. There is, perhaps, no menace
today equal to the giant trusts of our country
to individual enterprise To enumerate them
would be Il formidable task as their name is
legion. The latest we hear OF is the peanut
trust. Now while there may be differences of
opinion on the general principle of protection
we certainly can agree on protection from
trusts; as farmers Is 1t business for US to call
halt, take an account Of stock and see what
part we play in this great drama; its ours to
avnrt N n funnpa and effort that NAV SmpSh