Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-19


force society into an organization of only two
classes-one at each social extreme" which
Mr.. Newton quotes three times in the course
OF his article without throwing any light upon
1t or offering any explanation of Its truth, if
1t be true, he examines the conditions of SO.
ciety in England, France, Holland, Mexico,
Canada and elsewhere, to show that we have
no peasantry in this country-for which we
should be thankful, though this does not
occur TO him-and no strong rival rationale
ties surrounding US, to keep US forever in
conflict and turmoil, as were the old civiliza-
tons.
When the writer, after long and some
what irrelevant introduction comes to his
subject and attempts to picture ''the utter
decline of rural life in New England" we
lind from very close reading, that his facts,
or rather differences are the result of rides
and fishing excursions of long drive through
Western Massachusetts, or are gathered
| from the conversation of a philosophical
| former friend who is business man in Bos-
ton half the year and farmer the other
half" We submit that a gentleman who
attempts TO enlghten the constituency of the
| Church Review upon the decay of rural life
in New England from such convictions
is not a competent witness. In the first place
because the margin of trout brook and the
country roads Of Western Massachusetts are
no more to be called New England than
frog pond is to be taken for
Lake Superior; and in the second
place because the fancy city farmer who
| owns a show place somewhere, ''raises
blooded stock" and has plenty of money
back of him to pay the bills knows least of
anything regarding the real, everyday life of
the grand typical farmers, independent citi.
zens of six large, prosperous and wealthy
States. Nov we will quote single para
graph to show our readers the ignorance of
the Rev. William Wlberforcc Newton of
the real conditions of New England rural
life. He is describing, what we must infer
with no qualification to the contrary, he
would have his readers believe is the aver
age life of the New England farm home.
Three or four girls will sleep in one
room together with window down and door
| shut The boys of the family do the same
down stairs on the ground floor-near the
odors of the kitchen. Regular airing of the
house there is none. The frying pan is used
at every meal Pie at breakfast doughnuts
and pie sent off to the hands in the field
for dinner, and greasy hot fry for supper
is the daily bill of fare.
The above is pure fiction. From a long
personal acquaintance with and close obser-
walton of the life of farmers families in all
parts of New England, we say in all sincerity
that the conditions stated do not apply in any
particular to the average condition and mode |
of life of the farmers families throughout
New England. If found anywhere, as pic
tured by Mr.. Newton, they exist beyond the
realm of our own knowledge, or are only |
applicable to few families living upon lit
tie patches of soil near to some of the manu-
featuring villages of western Massachusetts,, |
who are in no sense to be classed as farmers,
or even rural residents.
That the conditions of rural life and farm
ing throughout large portions of New Eng !
land are changing, and present different
phases now from what they did generation |
ago, we should be unwise not to admit. |
That these changed conditions have caused |
necessary notifications in our system of ag-
riculture is patent; that they have brought
the decay" which Mr.. Newton supposes, is |
not true. To go into an examination of
A.. H. h.,
which have repeatedly been brought to the
attention of our readers and would therefore
be but REPETITION; while their examination
would also be foreign to our present criti
cism.
To proceed further, Mr.. Newton attributes
the decline of farm life in New England to
three causes. The first two he named as
'the western fever;" and 1.-THE American
ambition to rise" We admit their influence
and their results The West has been peo-
pied from New England soil and glorious
country is the result. The educated boys
and girls from the New England farms have
had a laudable and legitimate ambition TO
rise, to become somebody, to improve their
condition. The magnificent men and women
who stand i'll honorable places all over this
broad country, who are leaders in scores of
avenues of business, and influence, and cul-
ture, were few years ago country boys and
girls in Maine. New Hampshire, Vermont
and western Massachusetts,. Would Mr..
Newton, would anybody have them forever
stay at home and exercise in no degree their
ambition TO rise" Is not the world the
better for them and is not the rural life of
New England to be again quickened and re-
built through their influence and agency?
As to Mr.. Newtons third reason for this de-
cline of farm life. viz 1.-THE defiance of the
laws of health" among farmers, we regard as
too unreasonable to be answered.
But we would not be unjust to our clerical
author. There are some good points to his
article He believes that our farms will be
re-peopled. and that rural New England |
will be quick with life again. So do We.
We believe with Mr. Newton, that 1.-THE sea
shore and hill country Of New England are
being sought by thousands of tired people /
from the Middle States and the great West
during the summer months, and rural home
life as the ideal home life is making itself
felt with us to-day, as it has made itself long
ago felt in the rural home life of Old Eng
land" The mid-hour of that welcome day
for the New England farmer is already here,
its afternoon is full of JOY and independence
Messrs belong, Mayer & Co.. New York
agents for the London, Eng, apple purchas-
ing house of j. c. Houghton & Co., informs
us that the quotations of American apples in
Liverpool, Oct. 18th, were as follows: Bald
wins, lOal2s; Greetings, SIS. 6d.alls; North