State Convention—The Farmer in Politics. 
160 
THE FARMER IN POLITICS. 
BY WILLIAM ORLEDGE, KENOSHA. 
I cannot commence a paper on this subject in any better way 
than by repeating to you the following lines from the writings of 
Dr. J. G. Holland: 
“ God give us men ! A time like this demands 
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands— 
Men whom the lust of office does not kill; 
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; 
Men who possess opinions and a will; 
Men who have honor; men who will not lie; 
Men who can stand before a demagogue, 
And damn his treacherous flattery without winking; 
Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog 
In public duty, and in private thinking; 
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, 
Their large professions and their little deeds, 
Mingle in selfish strife, lo ! Freedom weeps, 
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps . 77 
One would think that, if God would condescend to 11 give us men 1r 
of this character, the farming class is pre-eminently the class that 
" should produce them. There are none so truly independent of the 
likes and dislikes of others and the caprices of fashion or capital. 
The farmer is an independent laborer. Necessity, stern, unyield¬ 
ing necessity brings all to him, and compels all to pay for his pro¬ 
ductions. By virtue of his ownership of the soil, he controls his 
labor, and over it none other holds any rightful or necessary mas¬ 
tership. By virtue too, of this, proprietorship, is he more directly T 
if possible, interested in a strict, economical administration of the 
government, in the peace of the country, in its prosperity, in the 
security of all in the possession of the full reward of their labor, 
and in the full employment of the people, than any other member 
of society. Therefore is he called upon, both by duty and self-inter¬ 
est, to take an active part in all organizations looking to the peace 
