Richland beacon., 1873-04-19
d rnhion + III AsnvvIA1LVN.


Association be organized in Richland
Parish. This suggestion. as far as
We have been able to learn, met with
hearty approval among mechanics.
planters aud citizens throughout the
Parish. We believe that our people
are alive to the importance Of such an
organisation. The whole country
seems aroused on the subject. The
Fireside Friend says: The rapid
multiplication Of associations and or.
CARNATIONS among the agricultural
class is an encouraging omen of the
times. The increase Of farmers clubs,
oranges, agricultural societies. etc.
show that those engaged in the rural
industries are becoming fully aroused
to the necessity of concerted action
and aggregated effort 10 protecting
thei: interests from the schemes and
Vaccinations Of those who would
live. thrive. and grow rich upon gains
distracted in one way or another from
the pockets Of the tillers Of the soil.
The wealth Of this country. aud es-
pecially the vast grsin.producing por-
tons Of it. lies in its agricultural re-.
sources; the earth 10 the source
whence comes the means TO sustain
life, to move the wheels Of trade, to
foster commerce, in short. 10 supply
the vast annual requirements Of man.
kind for food aud raiment In this
great problem the producer is the
chief factor; it is he upon whose labor
and management the needed supplies
depend 1t would seem but jus, and
proper that be should have Q voice in
regulating the values which are the
rewards Of his toll; 10 other words,
that be should be consulted in fixing
the regulations and conditions which
control the price Of the products re.
sulting from his industry. But when
these products are ready for market
be 6nds himself bedsed abou; BY giant
corporations. designing combinations,
and sehemins individssls. who over.
look no sxpsdis.t which eupidi,y can
suggest. OF svsriss invent to rob bin,
Il ths legitimate pro6,s Of bis labor
I'D IL intsrsss % his iavsstmentA
We - srssitsd - aoss tbs deter.
niastisa which l. just now - ssrons
among the farmers Of the country "a
resist the burdens which bea- heavily
upon them. The immediate grievance
which has aroused the popular bear,
is the trouble with the railroads. and
rhe spirit which is abroad and the
moral force inspired by the magnitude
Of the movement 10 prophetic Of ia
vorable issue.
But there are other important con-
siderations involved 10 the mainten-
ence Of farmers organizations. which
cannot b overlooked. The farmers
life does not occupy the plane. as a
rule, 10 which it should aspire, and
where it of right. belongs. The call
ing Of the farmer is, 10 fact. the nobltst
Of all pursuits. 1t is the oldest Of
avocations, the most important, and
the most honorable. All history, sa-
cred and profane. gives it this pre-
eminence. At the dawn Of creation,
man was placed in the garden to dress
and keep it; the wealth of the Patri-
archs of old consisted in their landed
possessions, their aocks and herds,
and vineyards. Coming down to q
later time the praises Of pastoral pur-
suits are celebrated by Homer and
Virgil. in the Lyrics Of the one and
the Georges of the other, and in all
ages the greatest aad best men when
tired of strife and turmoil of other pur.
suits, have turned instinctively to the
peaceful avocations Of rural life to
spend their declining years. 1t has
been said often, and with truth, that
when tb. farmer tbrives, every other
trade feels the kindly iuduenee-when
disaster overtakes him the country is
in mourning. and every ship hangs
out the signal of distress. His home
is the CONSERVATION Of oil the manly and
womsnly virtues that adorn life and
give security and permanence to re-
publican Institutions. He helDs to
hold in check and to ncutralize the
enerva,ing and demoralizlng influ-
'ences Of the cities, and furnishes the
best blood that fertilizes the nations
life. He has right to take q promi-
uent part in the government of .
country Of which be is SO important
factor, and be ought to be better quail
fled 10 discharge bis duties than he is
to-day. The reciprocity of interests