Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-01-15

NldAth III IIlctg NfN lut shlut 10 Nluo VI bNh-
or property. Among those who furnished
money for tho war, who have helped to fill
our banks. who have contributed to public
enterprises, who have helped to build our
churches and support our schools, farmers
are not the least The fact that 300 farms
have been abandoned in this county, only
shows that IL they do not pay, farmers are
wise enough TO leave them. In the great
constellation of occupations I see the s'ar
OF agriculture shining out. There is
looking up TO men Of Judgment and abili-
~ in our legislative halls. All that is need
ed of the farmer is to call him out. There
are many farmers that can take the profess
sional man 10 his fields and teach him ma
ny things. He can handle the lawyer with.
out gloves. We are wading through hard
times but hope we shall soon come out.
1 don't want to argue with friend Sabin on
the grange question. When Men become
interested they must talk.
Sabin.-Mr. Davis thinks there is good
in the farmer if we can only get ii out.
think we had better apply the force pump.
No man can make a practical use of his
ability unless there are some means TO
bring il out. l admit that there are plans
already set In motion that promise TO i'm
prove the condition of farmers. In this
am not discouraged. Ibelieve farmers are
coming up. Agricultural fairs, Farmers
Clubs, State Boards of Agriculture, tho
Grange, all accompanied with enterprise
and crossing Interest, promise t. help us
up To the level.
FL, a - I
have thought that, as producers, we were
not sufficiently organized, and whenever
any of the organizations just referred to
have come within my reach l have thought
II my duty, not only IN duty but the duty
OF every farmer TO investigate them.
Rev. p. +. Barnard.-I am glad that the
pulpit mas been lowered 81 that minister
can come down among farmers and talk
with them and thank you for the invita-.
ton extended.
have listened with much interest TO re-
marks that have been made, yet what is
the question Do we want 10 find out the
farmers edncatio qualifications and
compare them with the minister's ana
lawver'sf Do we wish TO know whether
farmers are making money? Is the pueS-
lion whether they are getting a good liv-
ing and educating their children? or
whether they are exercising a great influ-
enee In onr legislative halls? Only COM
paratively few C n stand in our legislative
halls the influence is in tho many. There
must, in all business economy, he n Givi-
sion of labor. There is work that is i'm
pOrian to do. We do not expect tina: any
person giving lheir tiIne and attention TO
any one Of the divisions can excel in all
others. They tally with men in other
occupations, not that they are 10 know and
understand the same things, but to mark
their comparative worth in society. The
farmer occupies position that affords OPP
portunity for mental discipline. Many of
them have improved those opportunities
and the calling Is an honored and dignitied
one. The work of the farmer is not TO be
done by ignorant judges, but by the judg-
| es themselves. / do not say that ] think
farmers have made as great progress as
| they might, but 1 believe they have rea-
son for encouragement. They are good
members of society, and efficient workers
in,tae community, and are apparently
keeping pace with their neighbors. We
have some good ministers in the pulpit
and many good farmers at their work.
With equal motives and equal energy,
we have equal claims upon the honors of
society and the benefits of the commun-
ity.
In listening 10 the intcrrogativcs
prompted by this discussion, il was sug-
| gested that theory and practice arc often
| two different things; that while ii is very
| fine principle and an excellent rule to be
always working ones way upward, court
| ing our supurOrs, marrying advantageous
| ly aud making valuable connections in so.
ciety, opportunities are not unfrequenty
bald behind and the farmer who expects
to get rich by quitting labor for something
else, must find that he has fearfully mis-
apprehended his ability. II was the gen.
eral opinion that it Is no part OF a farmers
| province TO 60 into extensive, speculative
| operations of any kind. If the farmer is an
average man in judgment, calculation and
willingness to work, it was thought he
could "hoe his row. though it was evil
dent that, for the last few years, he had
lost ground. His moral influence was not
| questioned. An item from the manual OF
our legislature showing that of the 237
members in the house 1876 are farmers, as
referred 10 in connection with remarks up
on his political standing. As to their rela-
tive influence as members some difference
| OF Opinion was expressed.
The present depreciation in price Of nrc-
ducts, il was Thought, implied the necessI-
| ~ of managing farms for a small profit UNI
Ill some decided change should take place.
The degree OF interest which the subject
commands, and the work 1t has already
accomplished, were looked upon as encpur-
aging FIXTURES, but no arguments were
presented TO induce young men 10 invest
in farm property under the present condi-
llon of affairs.
Adjourned two weeks 10 meet with j.
r. Morse. Subject-Are farmers hon es,
at the present time, as desirable as th' y
were twenty Ave Yeas agof SEc'Y.
RePOse the Secret OF Power.
A peaceful life Is most likely tn be full