Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-12-27
For the Democrat.
DOES FARMING PAY;

FYREgURG, Dec, 1881.
NJ. Editor:
Not only the loss and proat are TO be
considered, but also the hardships. perils
priva,ions connected with 4 life OF toll.
None are so scantily rewarded, except the
day laborer, as that class who live by
farming.
The property owned in this county by
each farmer, on an average, the sole result
OF honest industry, may not exceed one
Thousand dollars, a mesgre sum compared
to the Accommodations or the merchant,
Spectator, manufacturer, or the profess
lonal man. Many Of the latter are dressed
in broadcloth, ride in splendid carriage
amer stylish horse, loaf and smoke, go
hunting and fishing al their pleasure;
the son OF toll works day after day, year In
and year ont, digging rocks. holding the
plow. csrting manure and choPplng wool,
with no hopes OF rest He Is clad In coarse
garments and with rough department, a.
WAYS hears the unmistakable evidence OF 3
couutryman and farmer. lie Is oppressed
by grinding taxes his scanty property IS
open 10 view, and Is rated 10 the uttermost
fsrthing, while in the same town thousands
upon thousands are concealed In the peck
cts OF a more favored class, and frequently
no efforts made 10 ferret 1t out. Many or
our electors are so embiitered by political
prejudices. they rather endure the unequal
burden than 10 vote for more competent
man on the other side; hence there seems
no adequate remedy. II has been esti-
mated that the farmers Of Maine and their
families comprise sbou, three-fourths OF
the population, own about two seyenths OF
the property, and bear three-aiths OF the
burdens OF taxation. Farming Is over
taxed and robbed OF is rights. and does
not pay like other professions
The legislation OF our country from Con-
gress down 10 State Departments i con
,rolled by others than those who live by
farming. The interest OF the drst class IS
completely protected, while that OF the lat
ter i almost wholly disressrdci. Farming
Is the foundation OF individual and nation
a prosperity, AMI should be foStered by
wise legislation, aud made honorable by
We, directed public opinion. We have an
Agricultural Department in Washington
aud a College 10 Maine. both furnishing
lucrative positions 70 favored employees,
and no benefit 10 husbsndry. The farmer
often becomes plant tool IN the hands OF
INSCRIPTIONS politicians, while his inter
esi IS never made an issue in the contest,
and therefore neglected, above all Others.
The llSorer produces; others handle,
consume and grow rich out OF II, while
he remains poor, and hesitate o, The nee
esSsries OF life; and at the close, perhaps
not stone marks lis final resting place
" when some rich son OF man returns 20 earth.
Unknown 10 VIRTUE. bot upheld by BiErii,
The sculptor's art cxhausis The pomp OF voc
Ana stoEirl urns record Who resis below
when AZ j. done. upon the tomb : seen
Not what be WAS. hut villa; he SHOULD have
been
when the poor man dies. forgotten AL his
worth.
Almost denied in heaven. the soul lac had on
earth"
The foregoing parsphrase Is but faint
outline OF the distinction between the dig
ferent grades OF society, maintained aud
perpetuaied because the masses bow in
seryillty 20 the dlctsilon aud control OF
the few
!. Is perverted public opinion which
assigns a lower standard in the social
scale 10 the Intelligent farmer, whose hon
ct labor contributes 10 the support OF the
civilized world, than 10 those who have
been nurtured on the lap OF luxury, spend
their time in idleness, and eat up 10 lazy
infamy whs; others earn.
% the early days OF the Roman Empire
husbandry wss the prominent occupation
Of the people. CincIunaius was called from
the pillow 70 become Dictator In times OF
public danger, and 10 aght the battles OF
hls country, and when the work was done,
retired again 10 his farm. Cato the Censor,
was highly esteemed for writing several
valuable essays on farming which were
published and circulated by order OF the
government After the Romans had COM
merced their conquests, the prisoners
whom they captured were reduced 10 ser
yitude aud compelled 10 till the soil, while
the freemen chose other occupations;
hence a stigma was attached 10 agricul-
ture which two thousand years and our
boosted PROCESS in civilization have failed
70 obliterate.
There IS something 10 learn besides the
usual routine OF raising crops, making
butter and cheese, fatteniDg beef aud pork
these are essential; but 4 proper education
neglected always proves detrimental TO
the farmers interest, and blockades the
pathway OF success. IL farmers would in
form themselves in the true science OF po-
litical economy, maintain the dignity OF
their calling, act in concert for "wise
and frugal government which shall not
take from the mouth OF labor the bread it
has earned" educate their children and
give them 4 start in life on an equality
with the more favored classes, the day
would shortly dawn when the intelligent
farmer would take his true position in So
ciety, and the same community would be
no longer divided into oppressors and OPP
pressed, martyrs and slaves.
FARMER.
The Snrinr Term Of Hehrnn Acai-