The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-05-18
TAFF'Y FOR FARMERS.
Congressman Eulogize the Sturdy SWANS
with Poetry and Tears.

congressman LuIO2lZe The otuIuy oWdhS
with Poetry and Tears.
Washington Cor. Chicago Evening Post.]
This is the open season for hunting the
farmer vote. The congressman are
afeld, most of them armed with old ora
torical smooth-bores that have been
oiled up for the occasion, but few with
modern repeating rifles that are guaran-
teed to bag farmer up to 5000 yards.
Tossing bouquets at the farmer is one
of the duties Of congressman. Few
of them neglect it. 1t is the rule of the
average congressman to make at 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 congressman may pay little
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 necessary qualities for m
spiration. But when it comes to the
farm, the height of eulogy is Sreached.
The congressman begins to talk humble
fresides, =" sturdy farmers 'Amerl-
can homes" pioneers and the like:
He is frequently moved to poetry and
sometimes to tears.
For three weeks now the House has
been listening to praise OF the farmer.
Some of it sounds little bit reminiscent
and familiar, but it goes into the Con,
gressional Record just the same. Good
old phrases are spoken and respoken:
The reciprocity bill gave several dozen
congressman an opportunity to restate
hn
free list bill is giving the same chance to
those members who neglected the first
opportunity.
! Most of the standard and well-recog-
nized bouquets have already been
thrown, but there are still a few left.
For instance, no congressman has yet
worked off 1.-THE horny handed son of
| toll" 1t is, however, expected during
the coming week.
Veteran representatives as we'll as
new corners play the game with enthu-
siasm. In fact, the old fellows are more
expert at it. Farm oratory for the last
two weeks has been of distinctly high
grade.
"Uncle joe Cannon, by way of illus
tration, perpetrated this while the reel
procity bill was under discussion: 1.-The
| farmer is patient, patriotic, loyal, and is
willing to bear his share of the losses
which come under the natural laws OF
trade. "A"
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama, leader of
the Democrats, got off this phrase: The
farmer, who is contending for free lum-
Der with which to build his humble
home.
If man happens to have been born on
a farm, like Representative La Toilette
of Washington, he is particularly fortu-
nate. 1t is his duty to state the fact at
the outset and then argue from it. La
Toilette told the House this:
Il am a rube myself. | am on.y a
plain farmer The agricultural classes
will he for all time to come the bulwark
of this nation, her leaders in honor and
virtue. Those who hold communion with
nature and natures God are apt to be
good citizens.
Here is a choice tribute from Harnil
ton of Michigan: Gentlemen, the
American farmer is patriotic. From the,
DAYS when the empattled farmer fired
the shot heard round the world at Con-
cord, he has been fighting the battles of
the republic. Half clad, half-fed, and
poorly armed through cold and privation,
and sometimes with bleeding feet, he fol-
lowed Washington at Yorktown to vic
tory. The stripes of the American flag
are red with the blood of patriots, shed
that it's stars might shine together, and
the farmers blood has helped to dye it
red.
]. M. C. Smith, another Michigan man,
produced this gem: He has endured
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 republic. - And
also: Il will not insult the intelligence
of the American farmer.
Asher C. Kinds of Maine, after refer
ring to "that splendid race of farmers"
let fall this pearl: The smoke does not
fail in the farmhouse chimney, for on the
hearth burns the Oldest altar fire Of the
race.
Mr.. Ferris of Oklahoma observed: 81
come of race of farmers, and l love as
we'll today as then the traditions of those
industrious, good people. They are the
home builders and pioneers 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 CO."
Mr.. Burke of South Dakota made this
plea: "Let US keep faith now with the
American farmer, who has been the bull
wark of the nation since the foundation
of the Government.
From Mr.. Nye of Minnesota came this
tribute: 1.-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"
Mr.. Pickett of Iowa fatty announced:
II am here to protect the interests of
our American farmers.