The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-08-07

| 4. armerS are now, and Justly too,
asking for their rights in the counsels
of the nation; and here comes in an
other necessity for their education.
We all want intelligent men to rule,
and here comes in another require
| ment in their education. They should
understand political economy; indeed,
there is scarcely any branch that can
be ignored by the farmer. To rule
the country we'll they must understand
it's needs, and must have moral cour.
age and confidence enough in them
selves to carry out their plans; and
right here I would say that ignorance
of subject paralyzes effort. "Be
sure you are right and then 60 ahead" F"
is safe motto Cleveland knows
what he is doing, and that makes him
great President. I cannot offer a
stronger argument than in support of
this heading for farmers to be edu-
Gated. There are more farmers in the
South than anything else, and they
need representation, and they should
have it, and they will have it, but how
often are farmers ciphers in the coun-
sells of the nation. [ am glad to say
that Providence township enjoys the
pre-eminence of having farmers in her
bounds who can stand among men,
and knowing their rights, dare main
tain them, and I do not say this by
way of hattery, for it is SO, but I do
know that farmers, as a general thing,
are in the background, and either do
not know how to do, Or have so little
confidence in themselves that they are
afraid to try to do. s.....
5. The better educated men are, the
more they like to communicate. All
the other professions keep posted on
their business; farmers should do the
same. @ .v...-.e r
There are several organizations in
the United States presided verify edu-
Gated tricksters, with the masses be-
sottedly ignorant; hence anarchism
and all the other evils that would
naturally follow such organizations,
but where the masses are educated
there is no danger to life, liberty or
property in this country. Farmers
Alliances are not organizations for the
purpose of putting down any other
enterprise but to elevate the farmer
and place him in the right position.
If farmers were better educated, they
would be far more united. Education
enables men to reason; ignorance
makes them suspicious; hence the
more ignorant men are, the harder
work you have to get them to CO.
operate for their own good. 10
Now as to the kind of education:
From what have said you Can infer
that general education is necessary
for farmer. AS a matter of course
he must have practical education
He must be taught to hold the plough,
drive the wagon, &C., and all the prac-
tical workings of the farm. It is said
that preachers come from preachers,
lawyers from lawyers, teachers from
teachers, merchants from merchants,
and farmers from farmers. This is
virtually so, and I dare say that farm
er's father was a farmer, and that our
successful farmer, Dr. Kell, claimed
farmer father, and that Mr.. Keykendal,
your teacher farmer, did the same.
They all got practical training on the
farm when they were boys. Some
few men commence farming without
any practical knowledge, and by dint
of close application, observation, and
thought made successful farmers, but
not many. Then, practical education
is very essential But l never have
been convinced that farmers book
education should differ very materially
in his preparatory course from any
other profession.
In the outset [ mentioned several
sciences; now every teacher knows
that one must be prepared to study
these before he can study them sue
cessfully. The fermula in these
sciences are given in higher mathe-
matics. Then there are great many
technical terms given in Latin and
Greek; then I ask is it not essential to
study these branches !? And to study
them requires a regular graduation till
you get to them; then tell me wherein
should farmer boys education differ
in his preparatory course from the
doctors or preachers boy? {? There
may be too much Latin and Greek