The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-07-23
ARE WE 4 RURAL PEOPLE?


In a fecenV conversation with an intellig
ne" Yorker who has seen much oil FOREIGN
countries and people. he said :-s'Thesstruth
70 We Amerlcans are not a Rural People.
we nave no real love of the country and
rurai lie and pursuits such for example.
as the English, Germans, &c exhibit. Few
u US care Ior permanent homestead, its
attractions and surroundings. The fact that
so many farmers are selling out'-and more.
II not all, would If they conld-and focking
to cities and villages, proves nv assertion.
And why is it that the sons. yes, and daugh.
ters too, OF hosts of wel.todo farmers prefer
clerkships, and other dependent and uarela..
bic positions, to remaining upon farms
here they are sure Of good food MD raiment
at least, and an eventual competence. No,
tell your readers again and again, as you
nave been dong for years, to stag on their
JaTnlS-to make their homesteads better by
embellishments and improvements, thereby
rendering them more attractive to their sons
and daughters thus keeping them at home),
as well as increasingly valuable"
Whatever may be thought of the assertion
OF cur friend that ours is not q rural people,
and its correctness cannot be gainsalC in
regard to some sections of the Union-there
can be no doubt that he is right about
farmers retaining and improving their
homesteads, so that If their sons and Gaugh-
ters do depart to cities and villages. or
elsewhere, they may always have, in prosper.
lty or adversely, resort to the parental roof
tree. But The main question is whether
Americans, as Nation, are Rural People
whetAer they possess true love of the
country and its pursuits. Our hope being
farther to the thought, we take the affirman
tive, while admitting that the Census
showing decrease OF population in the
rural districts in some States, and large
increase In villages and cities-measurably
sustains our friends position. But if we do
not possess love OF the country and it's
most natural, health-giving. peaceful and
honorable occupatioE-Agricutur
are cogent reasons why we should do So
True, trade, commerce and manufactures
must and will be pursued as avocations, and
each will annually draw brain aud muscle
from the countryside rural distrcts-whence
The best business and professional talent
usually emarates; for it is notably true that
the great majority Of orr best and most
prominent men in the learned professions
and leading branches of business were worn
and bred in the country. Indeed, as we
have said and printed aforetime, unless our
large towns occasionally receive recruits
from the country, they will ere long have no
robust, vigorous, enOerprising (and we had
almost said respectable citizens.
But the certainty of Agriculture as a pur-
suit, compared with other callings, is the
most urgent rUugon why il should be followed
as business for life. Young men, especially,
should remember that few, verg few, bust
ness and professional men succeed in acuuir-
ing aud retaining a competency, while
thousands OF disappointed, broken~hearted
men, who commenced life with high hopes
and brilliant prospects. annually die in
poverty and obscurity. indeed, every one
looking city ward should ponder we'll the
lifelong consequences of a change from
country to city life and habits-from an out
ioor to sedentary employment. Certainly
those who wish to secure health, serenity
and Notwithstanding sure OF sufficient
% eat and wherewithai to be clothed, without
constant fear Of reverses-should give the
subject the most profound consideration be-
ore deciding The financial simoons which
10 often sweep over the land (such as the
ecent psnic), in numerous instances destroy
ng the accumulations OF years and dllssipa-
ing the hopes, If not entirely beggaring in"
lividuals and families-:each lesson which
annot be misunderstood. Tney prove that
Agriculsure, which feeds all and clothes all,
$ the most sure and reliable occupation for
his life, while it guarantees competence if
ot wealth.
Ought tUe not to be a RardtPe0ple?