Barton County democrat., 1897-03-04

flE ME- their COndlt1OnS.
s AS a rule they rep
resent, in enterprise, thrift and indus
agriculturists. The total population of
Kansas-the farm populations about
In the ratio of ten to three of all other
inhabitants, so that in point of numbers
the farmers ought to look out for them
selves in the struggle. Wealth is not
the true measure of public prosperity.
Any boat can move down with the cur
rent, but it is the wise captain and
brave crew who make the ship over
come the repellent waves and outride
the storm.
believe in prosperity. Work earns
a reward, and it ought to enjoy it. The
manufacturer says that you shall pay
for his goods. The banker says what
you shall pay for exchange. To that l
do not object; but l do say that the
Kansas farmer should urge that the
market should come as near to Kansas
soil AS possible, and that the price of
his products shall not be governed by
those whose profits are greatest when
margins for the farmer are the least.
The home is the hope of the republic.
The farmers ought to be the best and
brightest in the land. There can be
no real home where there is no hope,
no confidence, no faith. We look to
life too little. If we are poor in spirit,
all the crops of the most bountiful har-
vests cannot make us happy. We look
down too much, and forget the blessings
of to-day while counting the sorrows OF
yesterday.
Kansas is not poor; she is rich. A
state whose population has gone from
AIo7, 2o6 in 1860 to I.334,734 in 1895 is
not poor, and cannot be made poor
save by her own people. Of that pop
ulation nearly one million dwell outside
of the ninety FIVE towns and cities hav
ing over 1000 population. Our in
crease in population since 1895 is forty
five per cent; increase in acreage of
winter wheat, over 200 per cent; in
crease in acreage of corn. so per cent;
increase in acreage of tame grass, I2o
per cent; increase in acreage OF all field
crops, over 100 per cent. Kansas can
not be poor when i'll thirty-fve years
she has built 5000 churches at cost
of So, 600, 900. Kansas is not poor,
she pays less than S12o, 900 to support
paupers; but she has built in thirty-hve
years 5000 public school houses and
owns So. 900, 900 worth of public school
property. No people can be poverty
stricken whose homes have $4,000. 900
worth in private libraries, and where
more magazines and newspapers are
read at the farmers hreside than under
any other sky. Kansas farmers had,
in 1895, including grass lands fenced,
RI, $50, 7o4 acres in cultivation. The
total production was S128, 563,7z2. Add
to this S73, 900, 600 in live stock, show
ing an average of about So. 90 per acre,
including nearly 5000, 900 acres IN
prairie grass. Let US pause to count
our blessings. Let US glory in our
achievements and not mourn for our
losses. Our great university. normal
and agricultural colleges; our great
benevolent institutions; this splendid
capitol where we meet tonight, are the
unanswerable proof that the prosperity
of Kansas Is in the growth of her farms.
and the abiding success of the brave
men and patient women who have made
the farm a home, and from the homes
have builded a state.
Only the secret archives Of Gods
recording nigel can reveal the secret,
patient, long suffering. heroic struggle
of the brave and loyal wives and moth
ers who have presided as ministering