I08 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



farmer represents both parts, both of the integral parts of the 

 State. I have always admired the fact that the State of Con- 

 necticut has recognized that principle as much as you have. 

 It is quite different here in that respect from what it is in some 

 other states. Of course I have no personal interest in the 

 matter, but as a matter of abstract justice and right I should 

 hope in your approaching Constitutional Convention this 

 question should not be entirely lost sight of, but that the 

 territory of the State should have representation as well as the 

 people of the State. 



Now, speaking in general the farmer has a greater inter- 

 est in the State than any other man, and he has a greater inter- 

 est because of the fact that I have told you. Then, also, he 

 has a greater interest because his interest is of a more per- 

 manent character than that of any other man. The manu- 

 facturer, if there is a strike of his employees, or there is a 

 change in transportation facilities so that he can do better 

 somewhere else pulls up in a week, and goes out of your State. 

 He goes to some other place. A corporation, a bank, or an 

 insurance company can move out if they wish. There is nothing 

 permanent about them; they make a great show- in the tax list 

 while they stay, but that connection is liable to be terminated 

 in a week. With the farmer the case is different. The farm- 

 ing interest is inseparable from the State. It cannot be 

 moved out of the State, and, therefore, the farmer is entitled 

 to more consideration than any other man. Then, too, he is 

 entitled to consideration for another reason. A high moral 

 consideration. In the history of this country there have been 

 great crises. There have been times that tried men's souls, 

 and when it seemed as though the destinies of the nation were 

 hanging in the balance, and when, if a mistake was made, 

 inevitable ruin must surely come. These great issues have 

 come up on one occasion or another. I have seen a number 

 of them in my day. Going back of the Civil War there was 

 the great question of slavery, and the dissolution of the Union. 

 There were the great questions in regard to the reorganiza- 

 tion of the Union, and the great question in regard to the 

 currency of the country. Great questions of one kind and 

 another where men have felt anxious about the result. In 

 every case who has saved the country? The agricultural 

 vote; that cannot be denied by any historian. The cities have 



