Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-10-26


no easy position this side OF The grave.
Whoever leaves the farm with the idea
that ho will find place where success
can DC obtained with less work, is quite
likely 10 be disappointed.
Advantages of Farm Life.
The Governor proceeded to direct
attention 10 some of the advantages
of rural life, and To emphasize the
important position which the iarmer
holds in our system of self government.
1t is we'll known that agriculture is
more favorable to physical development,
health and longevity than any other
employment. II it were not for the recu.
perative influence of the country stock
yearly supplied to the cities, il is more
than probable that the race would soon
show signs OF ply sical deterioration.
Health is the greatest earthly blessing
conferred upon man. Without il, = one
struggles at fearful disadvantage in
the battle OF life. finds himself outstrippeJ
by inferior intellects supported by sound
bodies, and finds nothing but discoui.
agement and disappointment in life.
Probably no calling in life secures SO
large a measure OF substantial. unniloyed
happiness as that OF the farmer The
large measure OF health vouchsatei To-
cultiva,ors OF Tue soil, is itself source
OF the sweetest happiness. The farmer
has his trials and disappointmcnts; but
how few compared with most other men!
Ga seed-time and harvest he can rel (;
but who can rely upon the results oi
trade and commerce, where risk is the
rule and certainty the exception ? The
pure air which he breathes. the face ul
nature on which he gazes. and the inde
pendence which characterizes his calling.
as it does no other. are promOtive ot
happiness. lie realizes as no other
class OF citizens do. the iulflment oI
Agurs prayer: "Give me neither riches
nor povertyln ~ lie has sufficient
of the good things OF this world TO salts.
fy every legitimate want, and not such
an abundance as TO bring with ii
corroding care. He that is content with
what he has, is truly rich
The Farmers Influence as Citizen.
The importance OF this great middling
class-composed so largely of farmers
in such government as ours. c'nnot Ne
estimated. The poor success, not to
say failure. of self government, in such
city as New ork, is due 10 the fact that
her population is so largely made up OF
the iich and the abb ect poor. The hope
Of free institutions lies in preserving the
ascendency of the middIing classes,
whose mode OF life is OF that simple,
substantial character wiich repels osten.
tation and extravaganza. which are
most likely 10 be successfully resisted by
The large body OF farmers and other
members of the middling classes, whose
occupation encourages and demands
simplicity and economy. and upon whom
taxation presses with peculiar force.
Were il not for this we might often
despair. 1t is to the farmers oi the
country, especially, that we must look
for such social aud political Influences as
will check extravaganza in private lite.
and compel economy in public affairs.
The farmers control. or may control. the
political DESTINY of State and nation;
and they should use their influence so as
to restrict public expenditures to al
economical standard within the legitimate
sphere of government, and so as to cut oil
the brood of unnecessary officials who
are so likely TO fasten on the public
treasury in government by parties.
Again, it is to the great middling
class-composed so largely OF farmers
that we must look in free government,
for the preservation of private virtue and
public integrity and purity. There is
especial need of this renovating influence
when country like ours has passed
through the throes of terrible war.
"Virtue," it has been said. ''loves To
linger at the foot OF the mountains, and
near the sources Of the streams" The
atmosphere of country lite is favorable
to the formation of correct habits and
tue development OF pure principles
Ohentimes questionable practices In PR
vatc and public lie are lightly passed
over in the morally mHrkp ~ atmosphere ol
great cities, but the country mas 40 yel
rarely failed to send back lis stern pro
test. The lobby" is rarely recruited
among farmers. The "back towns, IKE
the shack sestsn in our Legislative halls,
rarely give uncertain responses when
temperance or other moral issues are
involved.
LII conclusion the 4ovesqsf urged
upon farmers to honor their calling stlll
more highly by insisting on the necessiI,
OF as high intelligence and skill AS
condition of successful agriculture. as II
other pursuits; and above all by ceasin
TO depreciate its advantages and success
and asserting instead its first Importance
--osras tue material, moral
III MI that Co. -.-sssts OF 9 State.
socisl and political in,~ ..rs. ed
There was but one race -.