The Monitor-register. [volume] (Woodstown, Salem Co., N.J.) 1892-1972, 1896-02-28

ManklnQ, Dy MS wonderful inuusbry
and perseverance, has attained remark
able control over the existing elements OF
the world, translating the rudest forms of
our mother earth into things of exquisite
shape and beauty. By steadily advanc-
ing from one form of art to another, he
has tanned the beasts of the field, until
they now go forth and toll necessarily at
his bidding. He has cut his way through
the heart of trackless forest, until what
was once wilderness is now comforta-
Bile home for millions. beautiful to see.
He has used his wonderful brain in the
application of forces, until now the
mighty roar of the engine goes thunder
ing from ocean to ocean, and the magnifi-
Gently equipped steamers ride proudly
upon the pillows. He has put his skill
to work upon inventions, until now the
news of an important event goes flashing
from continent to continent and almost in
an instant the whole world is the wiser.
The miner goes fearlessly down into
the bowels of the earth, and seeks out
her hidden treasures of gold and precious
stones and silver. These in themselves
would be comparatively valueless were it
not for other Glasses of men, who, with
the aid of their wonderfully equipped
machinery, convert these shapeless masses
into coins and rare ornamental jewels.
How delicate is the workmanship of a
fine golden chain, yet through how many
hands it must go before it can attain that
appearance of perfection.
From the side of hill that has long
since hardened into rock, one class of
workmen goes diligently to work, and
soon it is shattered into fragments. Here
it is taken up by second class of men,
and the mighty railroads transfer it hither
and thither throughout the world. Here,
some millionaire is erecting magnificent
palace; there, towering church steeple
is piercing the vaulted sky; while yet
again, a spacious university is being
erected for the noble purpose of educa-
ton. From the well.filled trains, the
material is transferred to its destination.
Stone cutters are ever ready to hew it
into practical shape, and the tender to
convey it to the mason, and finally it is set
firmly and securely into place, there to
remain until mother earth claims it ag ain
for her own. Thus the process of build
ing steadily advances from one stage to
another. Workmen succeed workmen
before any one building can be complete
Even the artist comes with his paints and
his brush and magically changes the bare
white walls into pictures of harmony,
and the musician touches the heart and
the soul with his delicate symphonies.
But W hat enables the artist to paint
and the musician to send forth such
charming vibrationss Would it be pos
sible for them to give their talents to the
world were not other workmen alread y
10 the field producing the material that
enables them to carry into effect these
countless mental visions
Are we not each dependent on others
for nearly all that we may chance to
| possess? Do not even the greatest minds
in the world need the minor ones to help
them on to their greatness Where is
the use of money, except in the exchasa7.sst
of one form of wssssl .sa for anotherq Ths
!, " Wee,a e world is steadily moving along, moi
by the aid of any one man alone, but by
the millions who are continually striving
for their daily bread And whence COM
eth this daily bread?
| Oh farmers, that is question which
the tiller of the ground can answer fal
better than a kingl You who have
devoted your lives to this honest occupa
ton; you who have followed a pillow
through its countless rounds from the
prime of life until the traces of gray are
visible over your temples, know full well
that when agriculture ceases, the other
industries of the world must then too be
laid aside.
It has been truly said, that the great
body of farmers are the men who are
moving the world along; they are the
backbone Of the nation, for without them
we would be poor indeed.
When, as tradition says, our remote
ancestors were driven out of the Garden
of Eden, Adam W as compelled to become
a husbandman, in order to feed himself
and family. When the Pilgrim Fathers
landed on that bleak New England shore,
they sought from their mother earth that
which would sustain them through the
tolls and hardships they had to encounter.
In the opening of the far Western States,
farming became the chief ind ustry. And
why2 Simply because it is the primitive
occupation of all neUly settled territory.
Here in yonr own prolific State of New
Jersey, agriculture has been the leading
industry for over two hundred years.
But in the Eastern States, at the pres.
emit time, there seems to be a prevailing
idea that farming is no longer at its
height, but that it is rapidly declining.
And it seems to have been given me to-
night to evolve plan whereby the farmer
can regain that lost art and prosper as in
the days of old. sincerely wish from
| the depths Of my heart that it was in my
power to give you something that would
be an aid and q strength to everyone
present.
My younger life was so closely con-
nected with the farm that anything con-
corning it is always of interest. NV
ancestors for the past two hundred years
have been Pennsylvania farmers, and
why should I not take strong interest
in that occupation2 And if try to tell
you why farm life is no longer so attrac-
tive. it is my desire that you will all take
it kindly.
In nearly every other industry, man.
kind has reached comparative perfection.
and does it not behoove the farmer, who
has the experience of time immemorial
upon which to build, to advance his
industry to that same perfection Other
classes of men have their high ideals,
and why can't the farmer !? No matter
how well we do thing, il we still con-
tinue to place our ideals just little bit
higher, are we not far more likely to
become eminently successful in the cid {?
firmly believe that what we call ideal
farm life can. in the near future, become
real, and that then our ideals will be still
higher.
What do we ind at the foundation of
every successful enterprise What was