Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-03-23

ABOUT dUu llliS hUOMttuEG Nhu bCoN
be acquired through the medium of the
newspapers.
1t seems to me that in order TO keep fully
up with the times. to know the current
history of his own neighborhood, the
country and the world. and to keep well
posted in matters pertaining to his own
calling, the farmer needs at least three
newspapers.
First, he needs the county or home pa
per, that will give the local new and those
items which are of interest in the immedi-
ate neighborhood, but nowhere else. Then
he needs city paper, which, instead OF
the news of the neighborhoOd, will tell
what has happened during the past week
throughout the country and the world;
tell us of the doing. of congress; what
bills have been presented and what meas
ures are being discussed; keep us inform
ed in regard to the movements of the diff
ferent political parties of our own country,
and also give information in regard to the
social, political and military movements
in other parts of the world. We should
patronize those papers which not only give
early and correct news, but which. in ad-
edition to this, will furnish editorials of
high order, mentally, morally and politl-
cally. There are too many newspapers
published, and which, unfortunately, have
large circulations, which cater to the lower
and baser passions, which instead of rails
ing men to higher plane. will prevent
their rising.
In addition to the local and city papers,
every man, and especially every working
man, needs a paper devoted to the interests
hi 10 Him..
One great educational need of the farm
ers of Vermont at the pres mt time is a
newspaper devoted to their interests-not
one which shall take the place of the local
or city papers, but one whose field shall
he the whole state.
The farmers of Vermont should strive
to be good farmers; should till their farms
well; should understand the art and sci
ence of their calling; should bestow rs
much thought upon their calling as the
merchant or master mechanic bestows
upon his
But under IA government like ours the
perpetuity of which in a great measure
depends upon the virtue and intelligence
of the people, the farmer needs Il higher
culture than that which enables him mere
ly to perform the manual operations of the
farm with dexterty. He needs to be an
intelligent citizen, able to exercise his own
due amount of influence. To do this he
should understand and be able to discuss
the great social and political questions of
the day This being the case, it follows
that there is need of II newspaper ably and
Ijudiciously edited, and devoted to the
farmers interests paper which, while
Teaching the best methods of farming, will
do something more than that; will discuss
the questions of the day; will strive to
solve social and political problems as they
arise from the standpoint of the farmers
interest rather than the interest of capital,
commerce, manufactures, monopolles,
railroads and of all and every class except
that of farmers. Such paper if estab-
lshed should not aim to create class dis.
functions or encourage the formation of a
farmers party in politics 1t should no,
strive to array capital against labor; but
lille showing that the real interests OF
capital and labor are identical, and that
there is no real antagonism between them.
it should fearlessly represent and advocate
the true interests of the producing and
working classes, and by slower but better
methods strive to bring about results
which strikes and riots always fail to 40.
complish; which, while advocating the
merits of no political party, and taking no
part in partisan politics, will tell the truth
upon all political matters, and materially
help to force the great parties to put for
ward their best men, and thus weaken the
rule of the caucus and ring. and be one of
the means by which farmers may be so
trained and educated that one hundred
and forty-four of their number in the legis-
lature will be match for sixteen lawyers,
and not. rs heretofore, mere voting men
of straw Such paper the farmers of
Vermont ought to establish. support and
read.
If the man who works is to have voice
in public affairs, and exercise controlling
influence in the councils of the nation, be
must work. not only with his hands, but
with his brain. He must learn that it is
brain power that rules in II free country
that as the monarchs of the old despotisms
only maintain their power by Keeping
their people in ignorance, so here the
ignorant are directed by those of stronger
minds. He must learn that if the toilerS
would be rulers they must be thinkers
also.
This is q government of the people for
'the people by the people. Then it follows
that as the people ale so will the govern.
ment be. If the people are low, ignoranl
and corrupt, the rulers will be but their
bit representatives. The stream cannol
rise higher than the fountain. The people
are but the aggregate Of the individuals.
Then something depends upon you, some
lei I1 1.
depends upon all If each individual is
well educated as regards intellectual
and moral qualities, the masses will be
intelligent and virtuous; then will cur
rulers be above corruption and our insti-
buttons safe; safe, because all deviation
from correct administration will sooner or
later be frowned down by the people.
There will be no more credit mobilicls
there will be no more salary grabs, unless
those high in power believe the people
are willing to have it so. The people will
not be willing to have it so if they rightly
understand the principles of government
but in the future, as in the past, they will
give the corruptionsts leave to retire to
private life.
Every voting citizen, every Young man
who expects to become voter should read
and thoroughly study some work viii b
will give him knowledge OF our govern.
ment, its foruIs and functions.
The Specification of the word politics is
f the science OF government. Then the in.
teligent citizen who learns the principles
of our government, its forms and func
tons, is a politician in the higher sense Of
the word. No man can become this with
out careful reading, study and Thought
The good citizen may become politician
of this class and take but little part il
active partisan politics
a Slice the formation OF our government
, there has been and it is desirable thai
there always shall he two great poliica
parties. One is progressive, The olhe
p conservative. As regards the great ques
lions which are continually coming ny
a one is moving on toward change, ,h
4 other, more the party OF stability, clings t,
h the old established forms, Both are
necessity as one s,rves rs ii watch and
i check upon he other.
a The citizen should carefully form hi
n opinions in regard to the questions which
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