The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-06-28
THE FARM ERS.
A Little Poetry on the Subject,

i, Every great reform must have its poets.
The poetry of the trubadours, evoked by the
crusades, fred the hearts " of the christian
heroes Of the middle ages fully IS much as
the preaching Of Peter the Hermit and his
co-enthusasts The saying of Andrew Fletch.
er, two hundred years ago, Let me write the
songs of nation and care not who makes
its laws" is no less true than trite All the
great reforms in England owed their success
IN large measure to poetical aid. Herberts
rhymes were as potent as Wclberiorce's clo-
quence in the West India emancipation move.
ment, and Tennyson's anti-corn law rhymes as
trenchant as the majestic voice of Peel The
aDolllonists OF this country, also, bore down
the herce opposition they at first encountered
nightly with the power of song. The
southern auctioneer, who advertised a slave
he had to sell as "a good christian" and was
lmpaled IN song by Whittier, was more eff
lective propaganda Of abolitonism than
lorty newspapers or stump orators.
1t must be conceded, however, that the
cause OF the farmers presents some features to
discourage the poet. 1t is true, there is much
to inspire the poetic idea in the occupation
and surroundings of the farmer. The happy
hills and pleasing shades that generally sur
round him; the opening blade; the waving
wheat fields and the incompatible fragrance
OF the new mown hay,--are doubtless full of
poetry, and have been the dreamer's inspira
| ton.
Since Homer struck the Tyre and Marc Sung"
The bucolics of Virgil were exquisits and
have been the admiration of twenty centu
ries.
But what poetry is there in corn at 90 cts
and extortionate rates of freight; in odious
determinations, rickety locomotives, and
hideous cattle cars? Nor has the farmer the
advantage Of the Roman emperor who de
sired the Poet Simonides to write some lines
about his chariot steeds. What can poet
write about mules?" was the blunt question
The Emperor slipped purse into his hand,
upon which the poet became at once inspired
and sang sublimely Of
"Champing barbs and prancing steeds"
Notwithstanding the discouragemen.s OF
the theme, however, the farmers need not be
ashamed Of the poetic aid they are receiving.
We copied two weeks ago very good song,
" Brothers of the plow," &c, and since then
several more have come to hand which, when
set to some good air, we have no doubt will
also hsve great run. We copy from the
Cincinnati Enquirer:
The following comes TO US in manuscript from.
Illinois Give that boy martial theme and
there's no knowing what he might not write:
THE FARNER-Boy.
! am an honest farmer-boy,
And in my work take much Joy.
II succeed.
But when work and tina, for naught,
And do not gain for what wrought
IT'S sad Indeed
And will good men stand tamely by
And see the fiend Monopoly
Destroy my good?
II they but think, from me they gain
The summers fruit and aUtumn's grian,
Their daily food.
Then all ask is but nv rights,
fair reward and peaceful nights
Is this too much?
Then down with Corporations and
Monopolies that drain the land.
Away with such.
The following etiusion jingles in the "soulles.
corporations" with true poetic ardor. If the
author had paid little more attention to the
grammar OF the closing stanza We think his ef.
feryescence would have made many converts 10
the cause Of the oppressed farmer:
THE BURSTING RARSs.
The grateful fields have given their grain
To labor and refreshing rain;
Our barns are filed and at their backs
stand stately rows OF towering stacks
The people need our corn and wheat,
And they will pay for what they eat;
But sOuless corporations stand
Between the people and the land.
Who builds the railroad! and FOR what
By men who wish our corn 20 rot'
Then let the sovereign people stand
For equal rights throughout the land
THE Warning" comes from our own state,
and, as nerrly rs we can determine, from Picks
way county. 1t is rather warlike han bucolic in
tone, but it will unquestionably be OF great ser
vice when chanted from the tops Of bills and IN
spacious groves TO mass-meetirgs OF agrlcui.
turlsts
THE WARNING.
Beware and push us not too "a,
We have our rights and well s.@ndb by them ::
!: farmers have to go 10 war,
We have our weapons and We u Try them
The Brotherhood have but one nird-
To have our rights and not forget them;
And if compelled, the world VIII find
That we've got certain way 20 get them
If no reward TO labor falls,
Our labor ceases. Where vii bread
Be found when loudly sound the calls
OF those who have by us beer Fed?
We conclude the collection Of samples with
one sent us from Indiana. We ere constrainss
TO say that the author as Homer sometimes did,
mods once or twice during the progress OF biz
poem:
THE FARMERS COMPLAINT.
II We cannot get cheap transportation
Ont Of these corporations
How can We get our grain
Into the markets again?
il costs more 10 carry WE..-
To q town, clean and neat.
Than We are paid
When the trade is made
The Grange Demon II ration at Mt. Pheasant Ia