Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-07
POWER or IMAGINATION.
THE PICTURE DOES NOT PIT IN AT
LEAST ONE SECTION OF MAINE.

Il
have no doubt but the picture drawn
by Lecturer whltehead's imagination
NAV be true In some sections, but those
sections are Isolated from any particular
center or railroads. There IL no class
of people that has made more intellectu-
al improvement In the state Of Maine
than the farmer and his family. lie
still has 10 bear many unequal burdens |;
hut he has learned that fact and has set
himself 10 remedy the evil.
Compare the farmer OF to-day with
the farmer OF 1850, or even the farmer
of fifteen years ago. How many farm
houses were carpeted with any sort OF
carpets A painted floor Was considered
costly In many instances. How many
contained musical instruments, sewing
machines, parlor furniture and other
household furnishings Of to-day How
many farmers stables contained silver
mounted harnesses, top-carriages, up
holstered sleighs aud other things so
common nows How many farmers
wives or daughters were the possessors
OF fine worsted gowns (not to say any
thing about silks which are quite COM
mon now) made up In the latest styles,
or seslplush cloaks, hats, bonnets, and
other wearing apparel To correspond!
How many farmers thought OF taking
their families on board the steamers or
railcars for pleasure seeking, or to
some place OF amusementr Not all
farmers do these things now but such
cases are numerous. The farmers mil
leuium Il not here yet, but we have
made long strides within the last thirty
five years, and believe the grange has
had much To do with II within the last mr.
teen years. I think I have read some ex-
tracts from Lecturer Whitehead's
speeches heretofore saving that he
thought the grange vas doinga wonder
ful work In eleyating the farmer. why
this doleful picture nows
Brother farmers, the grange Ia educa-
ting us to know eur position, and the
only WAY to be- properly Acknowledged,
l. to keep asserting our rights, believe
I'm our occupation ourselves, assert our
manhood and womanhood, believing
ourselves To be entitled to as much cred
IL AS citizens as any other class. Why
not. when We have been paying the
largest proportion Of the national debt,
We have been furnishing for the last ten
or fifteen wears from 20 TO 20 per cent.
Of the exports Of the country, aud about
81 per cent for the last year.
Lock ON the bright side, join the
grange II YOU have not already, and help
on this good work. Most Of the desert
ell farms are found where the soil Il
poor or the privileges AMI convenienees
not up To the Ideas of the progressive
farmers Of to-day. Good markets, rail-
roads aud good schools have a great In
fluence In locating farm, and II few
old worn out farms aud others In isolat-
ed places have deprecated In value, IL u
no Indication that the average farm Ia
growing less In value, but merely that
the farmer Of to-day Is looking for bet
ter conyeniences and Is able to obtain
them.
The well painted farm building, well
furnished house aud surroundings, the
farmers savings bank account all testify
that he IL prospering better than In years
ago. II the average farmer now was as
economical as the farmer Of 5 years ago
there would not be as many mortgages.
Keep on In the good work and every
decade will bring some advancement to
the farmer and his occupation. Co
operation, free delivery Of malls and
better roads will all come In due time u
We keep them well before the people,
New England Farmer.