The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-09-07
Ghe &armer.
FARMERS.
Are Farmers PrOsPerOus-Their Interest
la Economic DiscussiOnS-EfeetO fthe
Tariff ON their Condition, &c.

Tariff 0n their N010kNHOAs NC
In June last the Baltimore SIM pro
pounded these questions to a number OF
leading farmers throughout Maryland:
l. Are the farmers in your community
as prosperous as they have been
=. If so, to what do they chiefly owe
their prosperity? If not, what has been
the chief reason of the change? Leave
out of consideration such temporary causes
as bad crop year, and consider the social
and political causes.
3. Do the farmers take less or more
interest than formerly in economic discus
sions
4. What effect does the tariff have on
their condition?
5. Will a bushel of wheat or a barrel OF
corn buy as many neeessaries OF life as 1t
did thirty years ago?
6. Have they gained or lost social dignity
as compared with other classes, such as
merchants and mechanics ?
Z. Do farmers sons show any less willing
ness than formerly to become farmers? IT
so, why?
Among the replies received was the
following from Mr. Thomas f. Shepherd,
of Upiontown, Carroll county, which will
be read with interest. particularly By farm
ers.
II believe farmers are as prosperous as
they have ever been, except that during
the war they made money faster. But
prosperity from such source is not desira-
BE. and none will wish a return. Few
farmers are adding to their wealth, but
they are identifying their homes, adding
10 their comfort. refinement, intelligence,
happiness, and all that makes life worth
living. Is not this better than the gain OF
few dollars, that might tempt them into
speculation, and all be lost?
ssFarmers take more interest in economic
discussions They read more, talk more,
are more intelligent and refined, and are
more healthily interested in public affairs.
aIf a tariff causes manufacturing to be
done at home, and thereby creates home
market for farm products, il will benefit
abe farmer By bringing the producer and
consumer nearer together aud Saving trans
portation. There may be disadvantages 70
coaaterbalancc these benefits, and, as GER
greatest statesmen cannot agree on this
question, viii not undertake to discuss it.
Our present tariff needs revision.
AWiIl bushel Of wheat or barrel of
corn buy as many necessaries Of life as Il
did thirty years ago / think it viii; but
many things that are nov accessories were
then called Injuries. | have heard men
say that when they we're boys they got
coffee on Sunday morning only, and butter
once day. Now they are used at every
meal. The farmer now lives on the best
the land produces. If farmers would con
sent to live A. their forefathers did-endure
the same privations and practice the same
economy-they could double their incomes.
am not an advocate for such economy.
think it far better to enjoy the fruits Of
your labor. Have all the comforts and
refnements you can afford, but be careful
not to have more than you can afford.
sFaraers have gained in social dignity
AZ compared with other classes. Why
should they not gain They are the peers
Of any men living; the most independent
class in the world. They own their farms
and till them with their own hands They
can Eire without the help of aayofher class,
but no other class can live without their
kegp. They ably earn their poor reward,
and live contentedly, happily and indie
pendently on their own homesteadE. Very
few of them are millionaires, and their
actual gains are small, but they rest secure
while other occupations are in constant fear
of disaster. Their life is no game Of
chance, and their investments in the earth
are better and safer thanin stocks or bonds.
There are many reasons for some farm
ers' sons wishing to leave the farm. Farm
work is laborious, some want easier work.
The American people are naturally fond
of speculation, trade and lotteries. They
are willing to accept the risk Of failure for
the cIanches of success Then again the
farms in this section are small, and where
there are several sons in the family and
the father IS not able to buy farm for
each of them some one must leave. Farm
ing rented lands and giving half the crop
to the owner is not so desirable, and it is
not strange that under such circumstances
some farmers sons prefer another way Of
making a living.
"sSoDle men will succeed in any position
or calling, while others viii ARRAYS fail.
An honest, industrious, sober, intelligent
man can always make a comfortable living
on a farm. My advice still is, Young
man, 90 to work, stick to the farm, be
happy and Independent if not rich.