The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-23
A COMPARISON.

recent writer social subjects has called attention
to the fact that there has been time when
part of common country passing through the
pioneer stage study Of such pioneer communities in
as outof part Of the world backwoods of
Arkansas is found to be instructive. well
interesting.
The American people may be said body to
produce comparatively little which is directly
by the producer Of it. OF course the average small
farmer raises and consumes his potatoes, pork and
the like. Such vegetables he raises in he
himself But when this much is said it represents about
the full extent to which the American farmer is dis
posed to supply his wants directly He usually buys
his meat other than his pork in the neghboring
He sells all Of his grain that he does the
use of his stock for his bread He disposes of his
live stock And from the proceeds Of his sales buys
his famfys clothing his farm utensils his groceries and
his household furniture The country fourishes on
his purchases and many Of the products he sells buys
back in somewhat changed form
In our more primitive communities we still hold to the
usages and mode of life of grandfathers and great
grandfathers.
1t is interesting compare the condition SUBJ
stantial prosperity which prevails under the mod
ern system with the conditions presented view
the more primitive plan when present wonderfully
complex Industrial and commercial system was prac-
tcally noneXstent. This enabled to do through
observation Of those industrious communities which
have not yet closely in touch with modern progress
in their modes of living.
Aside from taxes and machinery the expenses the
less advanced farmer exceedingly small He kills
cures his meat With the aid of his ice box he
provide himself with fresh meat all the year around.
He kills and eats his chickens and his own
eggs instead Of taking either to market He supplies
his family his milk and butter instead Of sending
them the creamery and going without any Of them
as he often does under the modern system. He
shoes his horses, instead Of losing the time and
putting himself to the expense of going to the neigh
boring blacksmith. He weayes his own carpet and
roolyo
such knowledge Of simple medical remedies prevents
to the doctor He goes the dentist be-
there is to go to- and because he has
need to do He play dentist himself the
Of drawing troublesome tooth He build his
and, aside from the need Of the intricate
machinery and the lighter wagon with which convey
his family to church. he has but little need of the
carriage, wagon implement builder. His wants are
infinitely fewer than those Of his advanced brother
He goes to church and to political meetings as his
brother does; but he has such knowledge Of the law
Of mortgages the favored mortal of the two
picks up early in his of family. He Is
Independent man, and in all respects as strong
and healthy, and his children intelligent as
valuable citizens Of the state He has few any Of the
vices which inhere in complex exactng social
system. He lives unknown beyond his immediate
circle dies in obscurity and is forgotten in genera
ton, just the modern supposedly for
tunate man Of our day does.
are no doubt very prosperous and highly civil
lied people; but it would be difficult discover wherein
the future tlIer SOIL or of the producer
generally, is today secure his prosperity
tally greater his happiness better assured than
the hundred years ago with industrious ana
intelligent American who sought his living directly
the SOIL Even with reference those of
who live prmitivey, and do not choose to hand
selves over bound hand and foot to the dominion or
industrial pan any comparison made is not by any
means greatly in our favor