The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-03-28

Some people object TO the recognition
Of any undesirable features OF ordinary
farm life, but if they can be changed.
We should boldly recognize their ex-
istence. There is an undesirable side 10
farming. in nine instances out of ten,
that interests, or should interest all OF
us, and more should be done 70 change
it, 1 refer to the fact that ordinary farm
life, with all its associations and
methods, tends TO repress rather than 10
encourage developments Of the mind and
a realization Of the intellectual posi-
bilities, rather than the physical The
successful business or professional man
walks in straight line and with energy,
because he thinks in a straight line
must reach his conclusions by the short
est safe route. The farmer has all day
or all week for reaching a conclusion
about any point in his business. and his
method Of arriving at the conclusion can
be an easy one-no strain, and not
enough friction TO keep rust of. While
a few may dissent from this seeming
criticism Of farmers, the writer sffirrns
with confidence. because he speaks after
close study OF himself and others.
The country is full OF capable men
men who could learn TO fill positions,
whose occupants are now accounted
gifted by the masses and yet many OF
these men allow themselves to rust
rather than TO brighten. Such a school
is a poor one for our boys We are not
led by association to do our best in the
development Of our mindS-have little
to incite. and much to repress-and the
boys ambition is not aroused as IL
should be. Have We stated the case too
strongly We are not dealing with eX-
| ceptions, but the nations average and
a sober thinker, who is not trying TO
make the American eagle scream in the
attempt TO be patriotic viii, we think,
say that nothing but facts are given.
The remedy IL some ways seems plain,
| I'm other ways difficult. II must ba
sought in the home, social circle and
| school, and chiefly In the home. By
means Of books and papers higher ideals
must be kept before the young. Farm
| ing must be made a study. Self-respect
| should be inbred in every boy and girl.
| There should be more utter disregard Tor
the opinions Of those who talk moro
than they think and read. and more car
| ing TO learn what the thinking minds
| Of the world are concerned IN. Those
| who care for mental development, cDl-
ture and character should form a social
world that can place high ideals before
| the younger portion Of IL, and make the
boys realize the depth OF the gulf that
| exists between men and idle, oebased,
unthinking beings
| We condemn pride. and Yet it has
saved many boy. One too proud to be a
| loafer with the self-debased and debas-
| ing one too pround to accept a. low place
| in the scale of mental power. when he
has been given fair mind. one TO proud
to be a life's failure. one too proud 10
| travel down hill, because many around
him find it easier, and when the temp
tation is to gauge ones self by the little
| circle around one. rather than by the
| progressive and bright world, and one
| too pround TO rust out intellectually,
while the physical is developed BY eN-
| ertion. is safe. When all farmers study
| their business as some now do, and
| when culture is accounted of more worth
than dollars, as IL now is by some home
| training and social friction will be able
| 10 remove the burden that rests upon
nearly all who know that they have been
put in this world for development, Duc
find the Influences opposing rather than
| favOring the work they should nave III
hand Straight backbones, straight
| characters. straight thinking and a
! greater confidence in the results Of hard
study rather than in genius, all tempered
with sufficient pride not to let one be
| influenced by those who seek inferior
| ground. are needed in greater abundance
/ to help overcome the results OF isolation
of farm homes. Thousands Of such may
be found. where hundreds Of thousands
| are needed. # country life Is ever made
| as conductive to intellectual developments
as IL should be- I'm order that the posi-
bilities of the boys life may seem real
| to him.