The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-28
Trenton Letter.
TRENTON Wis, June II, 1876.

TRENTON Wis.,, June II, 1876.
Ed. Grange Advance.
The late rains have caused rejoicing,
for the crops need them badly. These
are the farmers holidays, between seed
time and harvest, and excursion parties
are in order and every one who can
should take II gala day this year, as it
is our centennial, and comes but once
in an hundred years.
AS a general thing Farmers have but
little recreation and if they had to do
their labor in close confinement thew
could not live as long As they do; but
they have pure air and sunshine and
are as long lived rs anybody need be.
They are becoming so grasping they
cannot take any comfort. They wish
to get rich ut once. They can scarcely
take time to "fx up things" If a
mechanic should take no better care of
his tools than farmer does how soon
would he become rich?
There is not y farmer in this country
but what can make a good living and
not be compelled to toll continually.
They make d grand mistake when
they think their children will bless them
if they earn them fortune. There is
such thing us losing half the enjoy
ment Of becoming rich by the manner
in which they become so. If one
possesses fortune through dishonesty
nearly all the pleasure thereof will be
lost, and if one acquires fortune by
slavery it cannot be enjoyed, and since
father and mother have toiled day after
day to procure riches for their child;
yes, struggled with all the drawbacks of
the farm making, till one or both are
nearly dead, your children will not be
happy in its possession. Why make
slaves Of yourselves and of your chill
dren, then?
1t is true that the children should be
taught all the duties of the farm, but
in doing this there is no need of making
slaves Of them. Educate them, for a
farmer without education is but half a
farmer. We have heard it said that
farmers should learn their children at
home, as they have plenty Of time, in
stead of sending them two to five miles
to school. There are some farmers that
do this but the greater portion are not
able to teach because they never had
a chance to learn.
Lawyers, bankers, etc., are elected
to important Offices, when we have as
honest men among us, and the reason
is that we have the reputation of lack
ing intelligence. Give the farmers a
chance and if we do not furnish as in
telligent and more generally honest
men then I will say that our government
is certainly corrupt. Partyism has
nearly ruined our government. l be-
ieve in upholding the best man whether
he be Jew or Gentle.
Every American should be educated
whether he be farmer or a mechanic,
for who knows how soon one may be
placed in public position? One hun
dred years has rolled away, and to-day
the farmer is less respected than he was
during the last century.* Let us turn
over new leaf, and when the next GEN.
tennial arrives better array of affairs
can be shown.
Wolves have been seen lately prowl-
ing around several premises, lately.
If any one wishes pleasant drive,
beautiful scenery, and goods roads on
the fourth We would say try Trenton
Prairie.
Every body is going to see the great
Fourth at Red Wing. No one horse
show for us-we are bound to see the
elephant. If We have no bridge to
cross on, don't let that detain us, as we
will have one for the next centennial,
. no doubt. Prescott, River Falls, and
Ellsworth, besides host of other towns
are going 80 Red Wing. Barn Bluff
will be illuminated Mt night. A great,
grand, glorious time will be enjoyed.
Take your friends and see the sights.
No doubt it will be one of the best eel
ebrations that will be got up in this
vicinity for many years.
TRENTONITE.
*Our correspondent is sadly mistaken.
The social and political position Of the
farming and laboring classes t.. day is far
ahead Of what it was century ago.-ED.
Vim. A. Wheeler,