The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-10-13
BACK TO THE GOOD OLD FARM.

Reactionary movements are the
healthy results of excuses. From over
imitation 10 contraction. from extrava-
sance TO moderation, from over-capi-
talization to honest business basis.
from the maddening field of specula-
ton and artificial conditions have
turned an aver increasing tide of hui
man beings whose w~atchword is,
Back to the farm" Whether. during
the past few decades II has been the
growth Of an inordinate ambition for
social prominence, a cankeTing desire
for great wealth or is due TO other
causes. the truth remains that the Iarrn
has been robbed Of much OF It's pest
manhood and womauhood to swell the
fevered ranks OF over-crowded cities.
And what have been the returns on the
investment OF go much of the worlds
best blood? Though, now and then,
out OF the masses there has arisen a
signal success. the main body q
reaped a poor harvest n signing is
heard for the comfort and plenty q
bounteous soil yields for the expendi-
ture OF a reasonable degree Of effort,
sauely put forth. There are several
points from which to view che reac-
ton an the reasons therefore. Certain
revolutionary classes maintain as q
fundamental proposition: Each being
is, at all hazards, entitled TO air to
breathe, water to drink and enough of
soil upon which 20 raise sufficient food
to sustain life Denied these, he is
justified in taking life and overturning
government Conditions prevailing in
congested communities are such that
Gods air and sunlight are vitiated n
obscured. the very water drank is
charged with impurities and the on
dittons of the open labor market finds
tina irStyiSral man afyer GrSr roe ahla
to provide the food which must sustain
life. The nan Of iron who tended city
ward in his iusty prime finds himself
on the downward slope of the divide,
with shattered nerves. unable TO longer
contend with the never sleeping grind
Of American business methods; to the
soil he comes back for strength and
healing. Nor is it the broken down
physically and financially or both only
who are seeking the soil. 1t is equally
true of thousands whose sanity has
returned with q recognition that there
Is something quite IS important as
wealth and social position, namely, the
comfort OF quiet, graceful homes. The
rewards Of the soil are not to be lost
sight OF. 1t is our firm conviction that
no legitimate field OF endeavor offers
today such promise of certain reward
as husbandry. No business is less az
fected by the curse OF combines and
trusts. The earth responds with the
constituencies of mercury to intelligent
treatment. Its products are staple and,
unlike purely speculative articles, al
ways find market. Such Is the flnan-
cial balance. The soil breeds men, men
Of brain, of independence, well fed and
self-respecting men-men who breathe
pure air direct from blu sky, not fl
tered through the murky, poisoned va
pore enveloping large towns. To be a
farmer means. perhaps. more than It
did two generations ago. The progress
Of time has sinplifed SO many of the
hard duties and science has come In
to h reckoning as a servant of the
husbandman. Ever the most dignifed
of all labor 1t stands pre-eminent as
.arth's best service.