Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-05

either population or wealth, in the
territory named, has been in the cities
and villages. In the country there has
been manifest decline in the produc-
tivity of the farm and the pride and
ambition of the farmer. Two causes,
in my opinion, have conspired to this
lamentable result. First, the drainage
to the city of'the best mental elements
of the farm. Mind always goes before
matter. Second-A corresponding and
consequential drainage in the same di-
rection of the productive elements
of the farm. Fertility has been sold
out of the soil by the bushel and by
| the ton.
TN the great middle West different
condition exists. which, up to the pres
emf time, has arrested this great cur
rent of waste and destruction to GER
4 tain extent. AS fast as the sons of
| American born farmers have abandon
ed the old farm there as come in a
farmer from Germany or other coun-
tries in Europe. This European farmer
possesses two valuable traits of mind
and training: i. His home govern
ment has taken pains to given him in
the primary schools some education at
Ileast in he elements of agricultural sci
ence He has been severely trained by
practice in the art of soil preservation.
He is a careful, painstaking husband
ment. 2. His sons have an ambtione to
| become farmers. The father is on the
/ lookout for farms near his own for his
children. This creates a demand for
farms, because first there is farmer.
..The agricultural mind of this coun-
j try must come to better comprehen-
sion than it has had of this chain OF
causes for the decline and enrichment
of country. We must settle down
II practically and hard to the conclusion
j that we must commence with the child
1 if we are going to make good farmers,
for without good farmers the country
will soon go to destruction. There is
u the highest craftsmanship and love OF
!, country involved in this question. 1t
A should enage the earnest attention of
| the educational and political forces of
the nation.
"There is larger need than ever in
our nations history for the old time
, resolute independence of character
and political Judgment which once
] characterized the American farmer. \
: corrupt and debanching spirit of conf
mercialism pervades our political al
r mosphere and poisons the fountains OF
3 law, liberty and progress. I would not
$ advocate the formation of an aricul-
i tural party to correct this evil, for dc
not believe that any man should adj
: minister his political duty in his coun
I try according to the trade he follows
d the race he belongs to or the religio,
Y he processes. But do hope to see the
!. farmers stand forth as strongly as the,
u did OF wore, the terror OF corrupt poll
d ticians and the hope of honest govern
e ment everywhere. This can only b;
II brought about by sturdy refusal t
c follow the lead of corrupt party lead
d ers in all parties. 1t is largely through
II the submergence of political influence
II of the farming classes that the presen
e unfair and offensive systems of taxa
Is tion exist. As farmers especially WI
L should create public sentiment in favo
o of law requiring the publication of tn
: personal property lists, for a yer.
large proportion of the property o
l. the country escapes taxation. w
n should do what we can to arouse
/ widespread public sentiment in favo
lie of specific Legislation, both state and NJ
S tional.i against the counterfeiting G
N human food. We must demand this i
Re the interests of the consumer as we
n as the producer. Every farmer in til
W land should, in my opinion. demand c
his representative in congress tina
lie adulterated and counterfeit food
re be subjected to a national tax suffit
NJ lent to drive the same out of exis'
'f ence. 1t is fair and just to demand Z
the law making power OF this govern
rs ment that the American farm, with i
~ product of pure,and honest human foo
IA shall not be driven from its right,
e market by fraud and deceit.
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