Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-09-08
FARM STILL A
MAIN RESOURCE
\ WARNING AGAINST THE UR.
BAN AND MANUFACTURING
TENDENCIES OF THE
TIMES.

" AAAAu oV gtdIh we must mousse
and employ In some fashion $4,000
900 additional population. and By
the middle OF this century there Will
be approximately 1-2 times as ma
ny people in the United States as
there are today.
Our one resoruce, looking at hu-
manity as something more than the
creature OF a day. is the productive
" OF the soil. The reckless distribu-
ton of the public land, fits division
among all the greedy who choose to
ask for it, the appropriation OF large
areas for grazing purposes. have alb
sorbed much OF the national herit
age.
Certain H. is that the time has
come for setting our household in
order and creating a serious study of
national activity and economy ac-
cordlng to a truer insight and "a more
rtional mood.
The first step is to realize our de
| pendence upon the cultivation OF the
soil. The next will be to concentrate
popular interest and invention and
hope upon that neglected occupation
We are still clinging TO the skirts OF
a civilization born OF great cities We
at this very moment use slang
which calls the stupid man "a farm
err" Genius has stunned the farm
and expended itself upon mechanic
al appliances and commerce and the
manifold activities whose favorable
rections filter back slowly to the plot
OF ground upon which stands solidly
the real master OF himself and of his
! destiny. If We comprehend our prob
lem Alright, all this will change. and
a larger comprehension OF agricul-
ture as our main resource and our
most dignified and independent oc-
cupation will for the future direct
TO their just aim the willing labor OF
millions. who thus may transmit 10
posterity an unimpaired inheritance
Let us be warned in time. On ev-
cry side there is menace If our ma
tional activity be not reorganized on
the basis of the old-fashioned com
mon sense The safety valve for old
er people has been found in emigra-
ton. Their very belief has contribut-
ed to our danger. The United States
cannot follow their example.
The conclusion reached points out
and emphasizes a national duty SC
imminent and so imperative that il
should take precedence OF all else
IL is the foe that has overthrow civ.
ilizations as proud, as prosperous
and far more strongly fortified than
our own. Nothing can stop the on.
ward march OF Natures laws, OF
close the iron joVs of her necessities
when they open to crush their vic,
Tins.
II we are walk safely in the way
of wisdom there is much to be done
II is time to begin. There must he
at first, return to conservative
ana economic methods, a readjust-
ment of national ideas such as "a
place agriculture. aud its claims "a
The best intelligence and the high
est smkill that the country affords
in the very forefront There mus;
be national revolt against the wor-
snip of manufacture and trade as the
only forms Of progressive ACTIVITY
and the false notion that wealth
putt upon these, at the sacrifice OF
the fundamental form OF wealth pro-
ducton, can endure A clear recog-
milton on the part OF the whole PEG
pie. from the highest down to the
lowest that the tillage OF the soil
Is the natural and most desirable oc-