The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-09-27
A CENSUS PROBLEM.

In the United States one hundred
years ago the proportion of persons
living in cities was as one to
twenty five. The recent census
shows that the present proportion
is one to three. This decrease in the
rural population is general through
out the country, and has given rise
to various theories touching the
cause. 1t is an interesting question
Public attention is directed largely at
present to social and economic prob
lens. and their consideration is en-
listing careful and earnest thought.
1t is not always possible to deter
mine the reason from the result, but
consensus of intelligent opinion on
any question aids in reaching logi-
cal conclusion.
The growing disproportion be-
tween the urban and the rural popu-
lation of the United States may be
attributed to a variety of causes. 1t
has been accounted for by some OF
the most careful students of sociology
upon the ground that the social in
stincts of men, draw them together
into communities and that the ten.
dency to desert the farm and to seek
homes in the towns and cities is due
to the distaste tor solitude which is
common to the human race. This
will not entirely explain the phe-
nomenon, although it is doubtless
true that it is one Of the motives
which has helped to bring about the
present conditions. Economic intiu-
ences haye also played an important
part in causing the change which is
so rapidly equalizing the census in
the country and the cities. Labor
saving machinery makes it as easy
now to produce thousand bushels
OF wheat as it was formerly to pro-
duce one hundred bushels. The
railroad has become the wagner OF
the farmer, and the necessity of en-
ploying men to haul the products of
the soil to market has been practi.
cally done away with.
The packing houses now do the
most of the butchering for the far
mers, the creameries make the but
ter which he consumes, the canning
factory and evaporator work up his
fruit, and thus in almost every direc.
tiqa the demand for labor has been
curtailed and the work of the farm
narrowed down. The vast produc-
ton of agricultural machinery has
drawn the young men from the farm
to the manufacturing centers. The
multiplication of schools and colleges
has attracted the we'll to do farmers
10 the towns and cities to educate
their families. The decreased profits
of agriculture have induced many
people to abandon farming for more
lucrative pursuits. The railroads
have brought the rural population
within easy touch OF the world, and
the city, which was once so remote,
is now easily accessible, with all of
lis charms and attractions. These
are among the reasons which are
assigned for the exodus from the
country to the city. Whatever may
be the true cause of its decline, the
spirit of contentment which once
prevailed among the farmers no
longer exists. Whether the old con-
ditions of happiness and prosperity
which once made agriculture an in
viting pursuit will ever return, is a
problem which is yet to be solved,
and it is question which may we'll
awaken serious concern.
The Drawn and the brain OF this
nation have come chiefly from the
rural districts. The bone and sinew
OF the country is not derived, as
rule, from the great cities The most
illustrious names in American history
are associated with the farm. Wash
ington, Jefferson, Webster, Clay,
Lincoln, Grant, and a host of other
great men who aided in shaping the
destinies of the republic came from
the country. The nation cannot
view with indifference the influences
which may impair the source from
which its most sturdy population,
mentally and physically, has pro-
ceeded. Is there any just ground
for the fe II that the movement from
the country to the towns will long
maintain its present volume? Does
not the logic of events point to an
early reaction? The towns and cities
cannot remain crowded beyond their
capacity to afford a livelihood to
their population. When that point
is reached there must be receding
wave, and the movement Of popula-
ton will be in the other direction.
There is basis for the belief that the
equilibrium will be restored by the
law which makes agriculture the es-
sential source of prosperity and the
foundation upon which the CONNER
cia1 ipteraStc of tho co,,,t,,, root