The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1900-02-22


nothing, and it may be worse, owing
to circumstances, and the circum'
stances are uncertain. | believe Ii
is generally understood, that the
spelling is the excuse for the meet.
ing rather than the object OF it, on
the past OF the spoilers at least. 1t
is free-for.all institution, and the
rough, even the tough" may be
therefor we have a few OF the
former and now and then one of the
latter, even in the country. The
teacher may be an excellent one, but
his day school and his night spelling
school must be two very different
things. No teacher can be expected
to regulate the manner and morals of
q countryside in an evening. Being
in public building, there is in the ma
ture Of the case, n liberty allowe d
and INDUCED in that could not be
thought of ia home. There is NO
host, or hostess to respect, and in
point Of conduct, each one is, to a
great extent, law unto himself and
such conditions are not conducive to
politeness and retirement, at least.
I'm glad that our young people here
in free America do not have to be un =.
der such conspicuous system of
chaperonage as are the young people
Of the continent; chaperonage sug-
gestive of suspicion, and being in
itself hidden accusation. I'm glad
that American society is purer with
out this, than is French society with
it, but / do not believe that, in
general, the evening spelling school
, in the school. l.house has a refining in.
, fuence on the manners, morals and
: conversation of our young people. 1t
is not an education along the social
r side of life. They should have some.
: thing better in it's place. have men.
toned the various church services.
You say what" Call these SO.
, cial events? Well, there's the rub. "
, | must confess that | do believe that
r the dearth of social advantages in
farm life, has made a tendency on the
: part Of old and young to turn church
going into social channel. Much
. Saturday baking is done with a view
? to the entertainment Of guests on
Sunday; and many Sunday visits "a.
3 diate from the church service as @
center. Indeed, I'm persuaded that
. the church services have gotten badly
mixed with the social side of farm
life. The naturally social inclination
Of the young people, clamoring fol
some place to go they seize upon the
- evening services and at times make OIL
: them not q means of grace, but shall
, l say it?--rather OF disgrace--ln that
, they convert them into mere social
gatherings sometimes, chatting and
, laughing even during the service, and
, often the gathering around the
church doors at the close of service is
, much more suggestive of party than
a prayer meeting. Things being thus
then the question is, do we need OF
want change? Is this subject oi
sufficient weight to be worthy the
, time and thought of this or other far.
, mers' Institutes? Personally I'm ar
, expansionist here. think we need
!, expansion along the social sideof farm
, life, whether in the public domain OF
, not and If you deem it point wor'
thy of your attention, the next
q question is: How shall change be
, wrought? What are some of the
remedies? Right here is a good place
for open discussion, and l hope We
=, may have some practical suggestions
= along this line from those better
qualified than to give them. / con
, fess that in writing this paper. have
. felt myself to be much in the same
position in which small boy in 9
Sunday school once thought visitor
, to be, when said visitor was upon in
, vitation, making the school a speech
, The stranger during his rather hest.
tating talk was moved, or moved him
self to tears, when boy in a back
, class punched his elbow into the ribs
, Of his neighbor and said "Say Jim
, what's the matter OF him, what's he
!. cryin' about--d'ye know"
Him !" said Jim, 81 guess II you
, had to make a speech and hadn't nc
more to say than he's got. you'd cry
too"
The trouble is that any develop
ment Of the social side of farm life
. under present circumstances is unde.
niably fraught with difficulties. 1t is
easy to arrive at diagnosis OF the
case and easy to prescribe remedies.
, | can mention some remedies which
} think | could recommend to cure
where all others fail, but the trouble
! ia to get prescriptions filled. Such
, remedies are turnpikes, rural mail
lnls Al l.