Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-02-24
ran original essay read before the Farmers
Club at River Falls, by Osborn StrahlJ
Build Up Home Interests.

=.
pie of tho northwest when, carriers are
no longer willing to take wheat to New
York at the halves, but must have three
| fifths, and since capital in railroad and
steamboat monopolis combines to crush
out all legitimate and healthful competi-
ton, thus arraying its powerful influence
against the interests. and prosperity Of
the producing masses, upon whose thrift
/ the success of all industrial vacations
Ymainly depends; and since the further
endurance of the intolerable charges Of
these voracious corporations is no more a
virtue. but equal almost to self destruc,
ton, aud soai bring and has brought
fTuinous disaster. upon our land and peoi
| pie; it therefore behooves us TO speedily
revoke thisofder of things, which thus
strikes down our rights-our enterprise
and life. Ia the strength ofeou sipews
and faculties, without money, as we have
4
lin a feeling of unconscious security
built up and enriched these intolorant
abusers of our confidence, we should
and must be henceforth the recipients Of
our own earnings-we must reap the
benefit of our toiIs--we must as farmers
I and -agr;cplturists mainly, turn from this
system of exclusive wheat raising and
importing horses and farm implements !;
an1, adopting the most rigid economy
in expenditures, pursue such a course Of
!, mixed husbapdry, as will of itself bring
about independence and thrift. There
is no otLer course left for US; we must
reform, ard resolve ourselves into an in
dependent people, weFcane raise horses
enough and to'spare we can make fab
rics and supplements; we have the raw
material on every hand, and skill to con
struct every needful implement Of hus-
baudry, and instead of building up mer-'
chants aud manufactures of far off
lands that we know not Of. TO tue utmost
depletion Of our pockets.. We can build
up manufactures and 'cities of trade in
our midst. The country affords ample,
yes, extraordinary facilities for manufacto-
res; the power of these ripping spring
spring fed streams never need be, never
can he excelled.
Our own Kinnickinnic from this vii
! lage to Clifton Mills, distance Of about
| six miles by the course of the stream, af
fords, including the privileges here, at
least twelve good eligible sites with, an
| ave rage Of 100 horse power, making Fan
aggregate of 1900 horse power, mostly
idle as yet; cheap and enduring almost
as the very ramparts which stand in
grand majesty above its clear, pure wa
tiers. Only think of it, over one thousand
horses, we might shy, of the greatest
strength and endurance, of full age and
without blemish, endowed with perpetu
al youth and the. vigor. of maturity
tamable and tractabie to business, who,
without expense of provender never tire
nor sstopto rest-7ranging the very sub
urbs, might say, the very streets of
this village, all ready for the harness and
the beck of master.
WhatZinyaluable ssteeds these north;
westerners are, and how few countries
are blessed with this variety. There
should be no delay IN obtaining work for
them; this is our team, our strength,
our motive power; it is all paid for, and.
unaccountabiy strange as it is. this team
stands isy, by Tho road side. Whilst
our work is done at such enormous ex
pense by aliens or not at all. This is
near akin TO stupidity. ..aa
Then as it is seen that we have an
abundance Of power which is indispensar,
bic TO supply Of home manufactures.
we also have the soil to minister most
kindly in the shape Of material. Textile
plants, grew andfmatufe well within and
close upon our borders, and the wool is
nowaat our doors. The sheep which
doubtless stands at the bead amongst his
fellows in its kindly, care for he -wants-o
man, finds n most genial home in the
clean, pure atmosphere and dry soil of
'b'S hotAu"SStOiu SOubdk' AhSu, sHo
great river-ihe father of waters from
his northern birthplace goes bounding
by our threshold in tho. course marked
out for-hjm in the beginning Of time;
rolingIa&aystoihe genial Southland of
scotton-and bearing back at our bidding
most cheesfuag aud cheaply this indis
pensable material Of commerce and com
fort, Our hills abound in the essential
metals. anu our forests are replete with
the choicest timber. Why stand we
here idle The elements sof iindepeni
depee, wealth. apd, greatnesSr surroundt
US. "A grand field has, epencd, before us,
Our soil is new aud rich; our climate
healthful and invigorating; our facilities
for, manufacturing /, unsurpassed. Sur
rounded by the avenues of commerce.
The indomitable energy of our people
concentrating as il were, the enterprise Of
so many different lands, is sure earnest
of success, and citizens are from nearly
gall lands. The native American pre-
dominates, but The, Swede is here, and
from the ice bound coast of Norway.
from old England, Scotland and green