Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-07-24

FARMERS ASSOCIATION. Il. Wright
calls the working -lnen ''our new mas
ters, meaning, for the most part, me.
chanlcs and their helpers. 1t is folly to
despise or dl>paragc the working men in
this limited sense, and no wise or good
man can fail to wish them all substantial
emancipation and welfare But the
largest and most important class Of work.
ers are the farming class and their as
soclates The land is our great heritage,
and the true use OF it is our most essen
tai need. Oar people ought to be train.
ed Tor this more thoroughly, and there
are signs all over the world of the awake
ming OF the farming interest to its rights
and It's duties. The mechanics have
made moro mark upon public opinion,
perhaps, because they hang together
more close Y, and live in towns and
cities, where they readily combine with
money and ellowfeelins, and have ac-
5000 TO tho press aud pubic agitation.
The mechanics have done a great work
for modern liberty, and their guilds
have been for ages mighty powers In the
struggle against the old feudaIism Some
of the associations formed by them still
alarm the organs of despotism, and the
ultramontane papers speak with anxiety
OF the warfare OF the troWel against the
cross, and some sober mOrali5ts share
their solicitude. They that use the plow
and the pruning hook can not tend to
any such warfare and so far as we
have read the proceedings of the oranges
OF husbandry that are rising by thous-
n is f,r
well Tor the future Of the tiilcrs of the
ground and 4or the nation at large. 1t
is well for them to guard themselves
against the graSplng policy Of til e middle
men, who come between them and the
markets, and take more than their share
OF the farmers profits, and exact more
than their due for the manufactured
products 1t is well that they seek to
take their crops more readily and cheap>
ly to the market, or to bring the market
nearer TO their crops. What, perhaps.
Is the most remarkable feature in their
present movement is their eagerness for
more fellowship, more connection with
each other and with the press, and all
the helps and incentives Of society, art.
and literature. 1t is a great thing for
those who own and till the soil to bring
true soul to their work, aud even in the
symbols and costumes of their asSocia-
tlons to show their respect for them>
selves and for their calling 1t is well
that women as well as men join in this
movement, and out of all this ceremonial
of the crook and pruning hook, the sash
and pouch, some substantial gain for
agriculture in ideal dignity and social
refinement will be won. Who knows
how much the Ceres, Flora, and Pomona
Of the grange may do to give woman q
style of dress that is good for something
besides mere show, and which may join
use with beauty iii the future of the sex =?
The farm surely has all the elements of
the beautiful if they are only sought out,
and orchards, groves, lawns, flowers,
brooks rocks, hills, lakes, offer charms
that need only good taste and social sym
pathy to exalt them into agencies of Gull
ture and festivals Of JOY. How wise it is
to give the farmers the dressing of the
church once year, as is sometimes done,
and what harvest-homes our America
would show next November if every
farming village would do its best to adorn
Its temple with the fruits that crown the
year! But this is a great matter, and we
have only passing word for it now
Ha'per's Magazine for august