Year: 1874

WHAT THE TRIBUNE THINKS OF HIS AD-
pREss BEFORE THE PENINSULA AGRgcUL-
TURAL FAIR.
From tho N. Y. Tribune.


| We have never heard the Hon. Thomas
+. Bayard, OF Delaware, mentioned as a
farmer, but he recently made an address
| at Middletown, before the Agricultural
| Society, Of the State he represents with
80 much distinction in tho Senate, and
put SO much sense and observation into
It, that it is to be feared the farmers who
listened to him will rashly conclude that
the study OF the law is the royal road to
agriculture. Mr.. Bayard began by refer.
ring to the general Ignorance of farming
which prevails among farmers, and said
that If we except the task Of Legisla-
hon, no other occupation in our country


- SO frequently entered upon by persons
deficient in the necessary information,
"as agriculture" The Senator from Del,
aware long since proved his competency
to undertake the business of legislation
by an efficiency which we are glad to see
has been 80 appreciated by his State as
TO insure his continuance in that ocnu-
patton and this address shows that he
| Is, in theory at least, as good farmer MS
he is legislator There islhardly waste
word in his speech. His reference to the
deplorable exodus Of farmer BOYS from
the country to the feverish life of great
cities; the rich resources of the soil OF
| the Peninsula, and its adaptation to the
| serious work of cultivation the neces.
sity and advantage of breeding good cat
tie and horses; the true meaning and
| significance OF the idea of chivalry: the
way to trea. horses-advising rigid econ
omy in the purchase OF whips; and his
suggestions of possible improvements in
farm houses, show q mind at once
thoughtful, practical and flexible.


| But the most admirable sentiment in
the speech is the one with which it closes.
On the eve of an important election upon
which his own continuance in public life
depended. Senator Bayard, instead of
saying dexterous thing in favor of his
own party, or trying to rouse the Sec
tional feeling upon which his party has
relied too long, spoke simply and boldly
against that excess OF party spirit to
which most politicians are too ready to
appeal when their own interests are at
stake He hoped that the Association
might be kept forever free from any in
huence OF partisan dissensions, and
added: Il am an earnest believer in the
duty OF every American citizen to take
an interest in the political affairs of his
country, and yet can well see the need
OF self-watchfulness lest party feelings
destroy our sympathies with worthy mon
whose conscience leads them into paths
OF opinion widely different from our own.
Therefore, if this Association shall bring
the hands of party opponents to meet
even for q single day in friendly clasp,
shall cause exchanges of kindly greeting
and q cessation Of the bitter feelings en-
gendered by political opposition. that
alone Will make it well worthy Of your
support"


There is no lesson more urgently heed
ed than this throughout the country
federation and not Indifference is the
spirit required to face the difficulties Of
the Immediate future. Men who care
nothing about politics are sure, sooner OF


later, to fall into the hand of knavisl


demagoguesi and those who are so furi.
ously welded to their own organizations
that they would rather vote for q rogue
OF their own party than for an honest


man OF any other, aro already sold and


delivered. Especially in the South


ern States Is there pressing need of this


discriminating interest in poEticalaffairs


me wise words OF Senator Bayard to his
still greater force to those whose lot is
cast in the States further South, which


have been racked and tortured for years


by the contending factions of knaves
who have worked them for their own


benefit. If the Southern people at large


OF both parties and all colors, could be
only made to take the lesson to heart


which we have been preaching to them
ever since the war ended, it would be the
only thing necessary to begin 1.-THE heal
, ing of their wounds. Let them take az


much interest in politics as ever-more
in some cases. But let their chief care bt
l that p1n ohaD hn taI -
, for unless he is known to be honest, ant
if a mans own party does not give hin
8 the chance to vote for the right sort O


man, vote for the other side without
fiinching. There is no other remedy fol
bad government in the democracy.