The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-11-19
THE FARM PREFERABLY TO CITY
LIFE.

/
There is no doubt that farmers, as a
class, perform more labor and work
more hours for a given amount of
money than any other person who,
| furnishing their own capital, supple
meht it with their labor. The farm
laborer must, also, necessarily work
more hours than those in the cities
who labor by the day; but there is no
doubt that the farm hand, working
and receiving his board besides his
wages, if he choose may lay up more
money than the day-laborer in our
cities and simply for the reason that.
if he chooses to be economical, his
individual expenses are but light. If
determined to curtail every unneces-
sary expense, few years will suffice
to give him money enough to start for
himself on the frontier. 1t is truc
labor of making a new farm IS hard,
continuous and exacting; go, how
ever, must it be with any young man
in any position who has nothing but
his hands to work with, whatever the
industry followed. Considering the
social position of those laboring on
farms, there lot is not, as a rule,
worse than that of those laboring in
cities. d
If one is contsnted with his condi-
ton in life, and while earnestly and
honestly striving to better his posi-
ton does not envy those whom cir
cumatances, generally the result of
individual effort, have placed in q
position better than his own-if he
weigh carefully the disadvantages as
well as the advantages of city life
il his tastes remain true and simple,
there is no doubt that the country
with its pure air, innocent pleasures,
simple diet, untainted water and de-
lightful scenery, is altogether best for
the average man or woman.
No person may enjoy himself more
thoroughly. if so inclined, than the
farmer. But he wants means for edu-
cation of children, and also congenial
society outside the family, Even, in
a new country this is not impossible,
if individuals locate, as they should,
in communities. In the daily round
of labor it should be remembered that
our duties are not simply to ourselves
and families. We cannot get along
without the assistance of others.
Therefore we must be ready to rem
der assistance, if possible, when
asked. If we consider ourselves the
victims of circumstances, when we
meet with zdiscouragements-n we
yield to them, become dispirited and
simply give up our energies to bodily
labor-we become merely drudges,
and little better than beasts of bur-
den. 1t is easier to break ones way
out Of trouble than to yield to it;
easier to climb the fence than, rush
ing against the barriers, try to break
it down. We must, therefore, yield
in some measure to circumstances,
bearing and forbearing, and taking
such pleasure as we may, while prac-
ticing the divine precept to do aswe
should be done by.
The farmer. although he may attire
himself in rough and, perhaps, TO ul-
tra-fashionable eyes, uncouth gar
ments, is nevertheless the peer of any
in the land, and SO considered and es-
timated by all who, like him, are en-
gagged in multiplying the wealth of
a nation. It is not the popinjay men
nor the butterfly women who ever
are heard of outside their own i'm
mediate circle of puppets and painted
moths. 1t is not from the ranks of
90 society" that, in the hour of a ma
TONS peril, the General, the Presi-
dent, '' king of men arises. From
the farm and the workshops come
fsrth that vigor of brains and body
before which the herd of emasculated
exquisites is driven as chaf is before
the wind Western Rural ss