Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1890-09-16
ARE FARMERS DEPENDENT ON
pOltrtclANSf


The hold aud independent sentiment
advanced by the editor of the Farmer,
Tor the elevation Of the political condI-
ticn of the agricultural classes should
receive the rcAdy acknowledgement from
the farmers ~ Maine. aud awaken q
universal rcsponse of delight. The
great dctriment 10 the success of farm
Ing ne an occupation. is because of It's
Inferior social and political position. To
be merchant, lawyer, q msnufacfur-
er. sccor,iing to the established laws of
society, ts pri.ss fseis evidence that the
Individual bclo ,sing to either Of those
classes is q superior person. To be- q
farmer, by the same standard of meas
urv, Il to he q person of Inferior mental
endowment. With this state of things,
the young educated man, with energy,
Industry and capacity, that Il going 10
insure him sncccss In life, a. hc looks
over the neld of occrpSticns, almost In
ysriably saws Ia himself; III become
q farmer, Z Inevitably conslen myssif Ia
an Inferior social position, which viii
dcsccnd as an Inheritance To my children
and preclude an Advancement to pollti-
cal position In this way. some of the
best talent Il lost to the ranks of farm
ers. Then, from the same reason, q
majority II the t-c.t farmers, aftcr hav-
Ing bccome quito rich as farmers, from
the production of the .oll. leave their
native heath, and ~ away With their
money to swell the rising tide In vlllag.
or city. This latter class should remain
aud with the sccumulating Income add
greater improvements, enrich, embclli.h,
and make the homestead all that q culti-
,atei gentleman would have II.
No, according Ia the present condition
20 society. to hc q man of social position
and influence you cannot b. q farmer.
That this l. the present deplorable con-
dltion of the farming class, no Que can
gainsav. Aud the sle,ating lever u
lust what the .sgsclous editor ~ the
Farmer call. on the sgricultarisis To use,
Ia raise them 10 social dignliy .. class.
That Il legislsie for yourselves Be
menials no longer. and ia, your Inter
e.ts voluntarily Into the hands 81 law
yers and merchants. DO not b. seen
Any longer bcgging at the back door. of
pollticlans for crumbs. Irt farmers
.snd farmer. to represent their Interests
In the Common. aud In the senate.
Morr than twc-thiri. ~ the population
~ Maine arr CONNECTED With the farming
Industry. and they have not single rep
r-.sniatiy. In Congress. DO you blame
the young man about to choose sn occu-
patton In life. q. this omlnou. fact stare.
him In the facc, for declining To enter
the rank. whcr, there !. no morr ini.l-
les,ual energy and smbitlons The ed
ucai.d youth. a. be panses on the
threshold of acti,. life, Who With In
clInation aud taste for labor on the .oil,
ls forcibly brought to the unwelcome
Inference, "a he compare. hlm.elf With
al. associates, Who are Tn enter th. pro-
fr.slon., that he would stand NO chance
whatever for political prcfrrmcnt a. q
farmer. though superior ability would
d. la his favor, against hi. competitors
a- lawyers. merchants aud politicians.
For the great body 10 farmers vote
power continually Into the hand. 81 the
professions.
example % the chlldliks Treatment
20 the lahoring classc. by the politicians
!. found In the political life of frsnklin
pierre. when candidate for President,
he was on a railway train which pass"d
a polnt wher. there w-r- large number
of construction hands. Fierce was
brought cut tn meet them aud greeted
them In these words: "ihese are the
meu love" These guileless men, .sy.
history, checr-Sl thl. sentiment tlll
hoar.e. Now, after his election, how
many of the class hc t~.t loved 90 were
entrusted a. oiiic.t Wa. there Que, from
the cabln-t Ia a third clss. poet ofiicet
iyst him speak Who Il prepared to answer
ye.. II belong. Ia TIL. generation Ia
work revolution as grand ss sny r~cord-
In history, IA real capaciiy y iAs fSop(s o.
goesra hs@sle,s. For when the proiuc-
Ing clas-.s of the country arr d.harrri
frum political Office by self-crcated
class ~ politicians, u cannot b. ssii that
the people themselves are rrally self
governing. However emlnently quail
hei farmer nigh, De, II would only H.
by the chance ~ accident that he attain
ei any official position ~ worth. The
time {. propiilou. for the demonstration
10 the household axiom, that farming
is the noble profession" Lst u De-
shown her. and now whether raising
corn and potatoes prepare. the mind Tor
trust anl c.pabllity ss would obtaining
divorces. or retailing molasses at ~ per
cent profit. Away with can't u the
farmer the intellectual equal of the law
yer aud tradc-man. or L. he notf That
|. the question. II he te lc, him legis-
late for himself. Well could he .xclaim
In English classics, ''Ih. fault IL not la
our stars but In our.el,e. that We are
underllng..--Cor. Maine Farmer.