The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-08-17
The Farmers' Festival

In Plain township last Saturday was q
glorious occasion. Il was coed 10 be there
to see the solid old farmer and Young
farmer folks of old Plain, especially Just
after so bounteous harvest.
Mr.. James Mcdowell presided, and Mr..
Bitter acted as Marshal. The speaking
commenced about IL a. m, Prof Worley
leading off in O few excellent remarks,
claiming that on such occasions gratitude
to God was Of paramount consideration
gratitude that our lot Is cast In such
land flowing with richness and abundance.
de spoke Of the importance Of cnltivating
the noble sentiments of charity and all the
kindly feelings; that all the farmers Of
this land need demand ofgovernment was
Justice and equitable laws.
Rev. E. Buckingham was the next
speaker. He referred to the importance
OF agriculture IN our country showed that
our greatest statesmen had given it their
attention and loved to think Of the time
when they could retire TO their farms and
spend their days, and mentioned Calhoun,
Webster and Clay.
After tune from the Canton Demo-
cratic Band the crowd marched in order
to the tables which were groaning under
the abundance prepared by the good House
wives Of old Plain. The hundreds present
being abundantly fed upon the good things
of earth the seats were again filed, and
after some more music from the Band and
the Plain township Choir Of young folks:
Hon. A. @. Wales made few excellent
remarks, referring to the fact that Popula-
ton was crowding into the towns; that
the increase Of population IN our county
was IN the towns, not in the Country.
Mr.. Wales referred to the improper and
| unequal exactions imposed upon farmers
by improper legislation, naming the mo
nopoly Of salt, and also spoke Of the in
equality of rates Of charges in railway
transportation for farm products.
Mr.. A. McGregor followed Mr.. Wales
and spoke of the Importance of labor,
useful labor said an acre Of land without
labor was worth no more than an acre Of
water in midst Of the ocean referred to the
density of population in other lands and
the evil Of few men possessing mother
earth He had done something at farm
ing when aYouth served an apprentice
ship Of several years in helping TO clear on
a beech farm where the stumps and roots
were SO thick they could not reach the
soil used to swing an axe some, burn
brush, log, and drive oxen r..itl
I Mr.. Schefer, Esqr., took the stand and
spoke Of the lntellIgenee OF the farmers OF
our country: the school houses. &c. and
the many comforts with which they were
surrounded; spoke Of the igncranee IN
many respects of people who live in cities
said while riding mp the Hudson river
lately, not far from New York he asked
New Workers the names ofpretty towns
on the banks Of the rivei, and they could
not tell; not one Of them knew the towns
Just outside oftheir own city. These men,
he said, have little knowledge IN their
own line of business. and that is all il
Judge Frease having arrived a few-msn--
utes previous, was called upon to respond.
and did so in few remarks; statedhe had.
been brought up on farm, and had worked
not perhaps as hard as he might have
done Heapproved of these social gather
ings and hoped to see more Of them; did
not expect TO be called upon and thank
ing the audience for their kindness he re-
tired
After some excellent music from the
Band and Choir. the assemblage slowly
dispursed, all realizing it was good to be
there.