The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-04-23
Why Do Farmers Live so Poorly?

Under the above caption, correspond
ent of the Chicago Tribune in Buchanan
county, Iowa, writes as follows:
1 noticed in the Weekly Tribune of a re-
cent date an article from correspondent,
entitled Homes in the City VS.. Homes in
! the Country" He asks some questions,
and makes some statements, that | am dis
posed to answer and explain.
He asks "Why is it that farmers, as
class of people, live poorer than any other
people ?'-stating that they deny them
selves many of the commonest luXuries
that are in the reach of all and that they
require their help to work from daylight
to dark, oftentimes upon short allowance,
and giving no time for bodily rest or men,
tai culture; and closing with the assertion
that, if farmers would make their homes
agreeable by cheerful surroundings, "lots
of people from the cities would seek a
home in the country"
Having spent all my life of As years on a
farm, either in New York or Iowa, am
disposed to admit that your correspond
ent's statement Of the ease is mainly cor
rect. So far as my observation and eX-
perience go, the labor of the farmer is in
cessant. He allows neither himself nor
his help much relaxation luXuries are
not common on his table; and his home,
in its general makeup and surroundings,
is anything but attractive. To all this,
however, there are some happy exceptions.
Moreover, | believe that, from the first
settlement Of our country to the present
time, the condition of the mass of Ameri-
can farmers has. in the main, been I'M
changed. OF course, our system OF agri-
culture has changed: but it has brought
with it no corresponding amelioratiOn
of the condition of the farmer. The same
unending, unrelaXing toll; the same self
denial in relation to the luXuries and re-
tinements of cultivated seciety-are as
Necessary now as hundred years ago.
Now, why is this so? Why is it that,
while the country has grown rich, and
while the condition of every other class in
society has improved to very great eX-
tent. there is no corresponding change in
the condition of the farmer?
The answer to this question would prop
erly require more space than | am dispos-
cd to ask for; so | will briefly say, it is be-
cause all industries, trades, arts, and pro-
LESSONS have, by a long system of careful
nursing, built themselves up; and, not
only this, they have called for and receiv-
ed of the farmer assistance in securing
legislative protection. Railroad compa-
MES, merchants, mechanics, manufacture
ers, bankers, and politicians have asked OF
the farmer protection and subsidy. The
farmer has been told by philanthropists
and philosophers that his own prosperity
depended upon the careful nursing of ev-
cry interest but his own; and so, Chris
tianlike, when asked for his coat, he has
given his cloak also.
Now, while every other class finds easy
access to the retinements and luXuries of a
cultivated, Intellectual, and social life, the
farmer sees these advantages drifting
farther and farther from his reach, and
finds that while all the world around him
has moved, and he has helped it to move,
he himself has stood still. Why does
not the farmer surround himself with
comforts and luXuries, and make his
home attractive ? Why does he not turn
his attention to Intellectual pursuits, |
and the cultivation of his mind? Why so |
sordid and groveling? Because, with few
exceptions, he cannot do or be otherwise. |
And out of this maze of difficulties which |
surrounds the farmer, there appears but |
two ways of escape: First, by dishonesty, |
which always keeps an open door, and |
points to a seemingly pleasant and short |
way-a path, moreover, well trodden by |
the honorable of the land; second, by cX-
cessive and protracted toll, and a total alb
Snnence from any comfort or luxury that |
costs money. And now state, as the re-
suit of at least thirty years observation
upon this point, that have known of but
very few cases where success has been at
tanned by either method, but that it re-
quires happy combination of both the
first and second methods in order to make
a PERSONS business-life financial success.
1t is a fact, seen from this standpoint,
that there is no occupation that calls for
so much self-denial and so much toll, and
presents so few attractions, in Uncommon
of the word, as the farmers. In
the other ccupations,-mechanic mer
camille, or professional whether financial
success is the result, or otherwise, a mans
life passes more agreeably; the society in
which he moves, the atmosphere he
breathes, and all his surroundings, are
more congenial; literature, science, and
the arts illuminate his path; and, if not a
financial success, his existence has
been pleasure.
1t is hoped that now the farmers are
lwaking to a sense of their wrongs, and to
4 better understanding of their rights,
he time may not be very far in the future
when farmers home may be attractive
even to one who is accustomed to the
refinements, and elegances of