The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-08-21
FARMERS AssOCIATIONs.

men "our new masters" meaning, for
the most part, mechanics and their
helpers. 1t is folly to despise or dis
parage the working. men in this limited
sense, and no wise or good man can
fail to wish them all substantial eman.
cipation and welfare. But the largest
and most important class of workers are
the farming class and their associates.
The land is our great heritage, and the
true use of it is our most essential
need. Our people ought to be trained
for this more thoroughly, and there are
signs all over the world Of the awaken.
ing Of the farming interest to its rights
and it's duties. The mechanics have
made more mark upon public opinion,
perhaps, because they hang together
more closely, and live in towns
cities, where they readily combine with
money and fellow'feeling, and have &C.
cess to the press and public 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 feudalism.
Some of the associations formed by
them still alarm the organs of despot.
ism, and the ultramontane papers speak
With anxiety Of the warfare o. the
trowel against the cross, and some
somber moralists share their solicltude.
They that use the plow and the pruu.
ing'hook can not tend to any such
warfare; aud so far as We have read the
proceedings of the oranges of husband
~ that are rising by thousands among
our farmers, they promise we'll for the
future of the tillers of the ground and
for the nation at large. It is we'll for
them to guard themselves against
the grasping policy Of the middle men,
who come between them and the mar
kets, and take more than their share of
the farmers profits, and exact more
than their due for the manufacturers
products. 1t is well that they seek to
take their crops more readily and
cheaply to tho market, or to bring the
market nearer to their crops. What,
perhaps, 10 the most remarkable feature
in their present movement is their
eagerness for more fellowship, more
connection with each other and the
press, and all the helps and incentives
Of society, art and literature. 1t is .
great thing for those who own and till
the soil to bring true soul to their work,
and even in the symbols and costumes
of their associations to show their re.
spect for themselves and for their
calling. 1t is we'll that women as we'll
as men JOIN in this movement, and out
Of al this ceremonial of the crook aud
pruniug.hook, the sash and pouch,
some substantial grain 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 a style
of dress that is good for something be-
sides mere show, aud Which may join
use with beauty in tho future of the
sex? The farm surely has all tho ele-
ments Of the beautiful if they are only
sought out, and orchards, groves, lawns,
flowers, brooks, rocks, hills, and lakes,
offer charms that need only good taste
and social sympathy to exalt them in.
70 agencies Of culture aud festivals Of
joy. How wise it is to give the farm
ers the dressing Of the church once =
year, Is is sometimes done, and what
harvest.homes our America would show
next November if every farming vii.
lsge would do its best to adorn its
temple with the fruits that crown the
year! But this is great matter, and
We have only passing word for it now.
-Harper's Magazine for August.