THE FARMER AND THE COMMONWEALTH. 75 



peaceful homes. Our Capital, bearing the sacred name of the 

 Fatlier of our Country, was in danger. Our President called 

 upon the yeomanry of the loyal States to come to its rescue. 

 With noble patriotism did they respond. Once, twice, three 

 times was Washington menaced and considered in danger. As 

 many times has it been saved by the prompt response of the 

 loyal people. 



The farmer, not unlike the farmer of Revolutionary times, 

 left his plough in the furrow, left his all, joined his friends and 

 neighbors, hurried toward Washington through Baltimore on 

 the bloody 19th of April — a day of sacred memory on which 

 the first blood was shed to establish our government and its 

 principles of freedom — the day on which the first blood was 

 shed in their defence against the most ungodly and wicked 

 rebellion that has existed since the revolting angels were con- 

 signed to tlieir appropriate perdition — on the plains of Lexing- 

 ton in 1775, in the streets of Baltimore in 1861, blood flowed 

 freely from the veins of Massachusetts men, a willing sacrifice 

 in devotion to the cause of free government. 



The farmer has not only furnished men -who have fought and 

 won our battles, who have willingly given up their lives in their 

 country's cause, but he has furnished the supplies — which are 

 as essential to the army as the powder, the ball and the rifle — 

 without which, although the army might be armed and equipped, 

 yet it would fade and vanish like the dew before the morning 

 sun. 



When the requisition for 300,000 men was made in the 

 busy hay season of 1862, with what alacrity did the farming 

 towns spring to arms. The result how different from that 

 anticipated. It was thought that the cities with their surplus 

 population of traders and mechanics would furnish their quota 

 at once, while of the farming towns it was said, it is a very bad 

 time for them, they cannot furnish their men until the fall; 

 but quite the opposite was the case.. The small towns did 

 furnish their men at once, while a number of the large cities 

 did not furnish their quota, if I am informed correctly, until 

 compelled to do it, by the force of the draft. 



To-day, as in times of yore, the independent farmer is ready 

 to hazard his life in the service of his country, and to give 

 battle in what he believes to be a just and holy cause. His 



