The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-05-03
Farmer Is Eulogizcd
in National Congress
Many Pay Tribute to Sturdy Tier Of the Soil in the Discus
sion Of Reciprocity With Canada North Dakotans
Both Participate IN Tribute

Washington, May S.-This Is the
open season in the District of Columbia
for hunting the farmer vote. All of
the congressman are afleld, most OF
them armed with old oratorical smooth
bores that have been oiled up for the
occasion, but a few with modern rifles
that are guaranteed to bag a farmer up
to 5000 yards.
Tossing bouquets at the farmer is
one of the duties of a congressman.
Few Of them neglect ii. 1t Is the rules
to mix it least one speech a session for
the purpose of farm fireside reading.
Nobody ever roasts the farmer in con-
gress. He is always praised. Occa-
sionally a congressman may pay a lit
tie tribute to the mine worker, the mill
hand, or the mechanic, but never with
the same fervor he employs in talking
about the farmer. Mines and factories
apparently do not possess the neces-
sary qualities for inspiration. But when
it comes to the farm the height of
eulogy is reached. The congressman
begins to talk about humble firesides,"
sturdy farmers American homes"
pioneers, and the like He is FREE
-quently moved to poetry and sometimes
to tears.
Two Weeks Of Praise for Farmers.
For two weeks now the house has
been listening to praise Of the farmer.
Some of it sounds little bit reminis-
cent and familiar, but it goes into The
Congressional Record just the same.
Good old phrases are spoken and re-
spoken
dozen congressman an opportunity to
restate their affection for the farmer
and the free list bin is giving the same
chance to those who neglected the first
opportunity. Most Of the standard and
well recognized bouquets already have,
been thrown. but there are still few
|left. For instance, no congressman has
yet worked OFF the horny handed son
of toll" 1t is. however, expected dur
ing the coming week.
Veteran representatives as well as
newcomers play the game with en-
thusiasm. In fact, the old fellows are
more expert at it. Farm oratory for
the last two weeks has been of dis
tinctly high grade
Uncle Joe Wakes Sentimental.
Uncle Joe Cannon. by way OF illus
tration, perpetrated this while the rec
iprocity bill was under discussion:
THE farmer is patient, patriotic, loyal,
and is willing to bear his share Of the
losses which come under the natural
laws of trade
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama, leader
of the democrats, got on this phrase;
"The farmer, who is contending for
free lumber with which to build his
humble home"
III a man happens to have been born
on farm, like La Toilette of Washing
ton. he is particularly fortunate. 1t
is his duty TO state the fact at the out
set and then argue from it. La Fol-
lette told the house this: 81 am a rube
myself. I am only plain farmer.
The agricultural classes will be for all
time to come the bulwark Of this ma
ton, her leaders In honor and virtue.
Those who hold communion with ma
ture and natures God are apt to be
good citizens
Here's a Choice Tribute.
Here is a choice tribute from Ham
ilton of Michigan, himself farmer:
Gentlemen. the American farmer Is
patriotic. From the days when the en-
battfed farmer fired the shot heard
around the world at Concord, he has
been lighting the battles of the re-
public Half clad. half fed and poorly
armed, through cold and privation, and
sometimes bleeding feet, he followed
washington at Yorktown to victory.
The stripes OF the American flag are
red with the blood of patriots shed
that its stars might shine together,
and the farmers blood has helped to
dye 1T red.
]. M. C. Smith, another Michigan
man, produced this gem: He has en-
dured the hardship Of frontier life; he
has not only done his part, but he has
done more than any other class to clear
UP and beautify this magnificent re-
public" And also: i will not insult
the intelligence of I he American
farmer
Kinds Of Maine Produces Gem.
Asher G.. Kinds OF Maine. after re-
ferring to that splendid race Of farm
ers." let fall this pearl: THE smoke
does not fall in the farm house chim-
ney. for on the hearth burns the oldest
altar Are of the race.
Mr.. Ferris of Oklahoma observed:
II come OF q race Of farmers, and
love as well today as then the tradi-
tons Of those industrious good people.
They are the home builders and pio-
neers of the west And furthermore:
Pass this bill and release the farmer
from bondage His industry. energy,
skill and intelligence will more than.
cope with all who may come or go"
Mr.. Burke Of South Dakota made
this plea: LET us keep faith now with
the American farmer, who has been the
|bulwark OF the nation since the foun-
dation Of the government"
Mr.. Nye Of Minnescta Eloquent.
From Mr.. Nye OF Minnesota came
this tribute; THE best opening and
the best destiny industrially OF any
man or Of any industry IN this country
Is the future OF the sound, honest
thrifty farmer"
MIR. Mccall Of Massachusetts, de-
clared 'The American farmer Is not
thes sad eyed monstrosity, always star
ing destiny in the face, that we have
had painted here.
Representative Saunders OK Virginia