Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-07-31
wraisn fsr ths osferl Isesa.rrst
IhE FARMER AND IKE SIAII


The cultivation of lands and the rai.-
Ing of dome<tic animals have been .
great source ot wealth Ia al the civil
iScd countries 10 the world where the
climate and soil arc lifted for that pur-
pose. In Egypt, the oldest country
known Ia history, the hushandmsn aud
those u ho took care 10 fiocks we're held
ln great esteem. II Was To these pro-
fessiOns ancient Egypt owed lts great
abundance ani riches, therefore these
profitable call.ngs we're supported aud
encouraged by a Wise state policy.
IL ~oald b. we'll u IN. agricultural
portions 10 our people had the same
Difference shown Ia them that MAS sc-
cOried to the profession by Oriental
nations 500 years ago. Though the
fertility ~ cur soil bsars but small
proportion Ia that of the valley of the
Nile, Yet agriculture at the present day
Is greater source of wealth and the
upbuilding of our republic than all
other Industries combined, though many
other profcssions are Indispensable to
our welfare aud further progress In
civilization.
Wherever husbsndry has been he chief
business ~ the pcople, there have gro~n
up many moral, intelligent, useful eth
fsns, Who are benefactors % the world
and an honor Ia the plac. ~ their birth.
Among them you will hnd the honest,
industrious farmer, the Ingenious ne
chanic aud csrp.ntsr, -uccrs.ful trades
men, sklllful doctors aud surgeons,
learned Judge. lawyers and teachers.
Not few ~ the prominent people of
New England ~sr. horn on q farm In
Old Oxford and learned m. hr.t rudl-
menis % a good education by torch
light la their fathers Kitchen.
In no other profession known to the
world can such favorable results BE- pro
dnccd a. by tiiling the soil hence the
fallAclous idea that farming don't
pay fall. "a the ground. II th. happl-
ness ~ our people d.pcndei upon the
amount 20 wealth they we're sbl. to
accumulate, then hu.hsndry might be
of secondary Importance, hut As the
very existence "a civilized nations de-
pends upon the productions of the earth,
agriculture aud The raising of domestic
animals will continue to - the most ini-
portsnt employment for all coming
age.
Fartning Industry. though " sf"rds =
hsttsr living thsn usually obtsincd hy
any other class of Notkingmen, Yields
les income than other branches of busi-
ns.s requiring the same capital aud
labor. for this r,ason th- farmers son
With = liberal education almost always
chooses What hc considers easier and
more profitable employment. Thus !.
lost to the farming community some of
the beat talent 10 our country, Whereby
the eight million bushsndmen Ia the
Initei state. are seldom, u ever, truly
represented Ia our national cUuncils.
IIenc., bat fcW 10 any Laws have been
enacted during the last decades which
materially promote the financial Interest
Of ,he honest ~orkingman who holds the
plow. lie should No longer hug the
deluslVe hope that FREE trade or protec-
tion, az urged by politicians, will la
future Improve his present condition.
All that can b. accomplished In that
direction depends solely upon the farm
ers themselves.
ItI.an easy task Ia learn the most
approved methois 20 stock raising aud
tilling the land but Ia avoid unnecessary
taxation aud manage business Affairs With
the community so the producer can save
a just proportion of the property he
earn. u = problem not we'll understood;
hence too many farmers are actually
Obliged to practice more ECONOMY than
desirable. Though the condition of the
farmer l. more favorable than one-half
CENTURY ago, Yet there remain Wide
Held open Tor progress aud Improve
ment. Nothing can De achieved by
grumbllng becausc some other classes
are better ofi than themselves.
The cass,s whereby wealth i conccn-
trat,d Ia tl,s hands Of fes Instead of a
more equal division among the produc-
.rs should be wsll understood by IN.
farming community aud a remedy speed
ily applied II seems almo.t the work
of a generation to modify our expensive
system ot government, aud change our
commercial relations Ia such a manner
that exact and EQUAL justice shall be
meted cat o. all I'srsons engaged Ia the
diversified industries 10 our country.
The recent cOnN Nul.ions between ~sgc
farmers and money kings of our country,
whereby bu.in..s has been suspended,
property destroyed aud human live.
sacrificed, can but remind the thrifty
farmer Of his easy independent position
IN life, uumoyed BY the fear of want or
disturbing causes which annoy many
other Glasses of soCi,ty.
iAENTE THoM ON oNIugp.
Pembroke, Mass, July i, l>a'