Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-30
President c. S. Barrett Says
That Farmers Must Solve
Rural Problems by Aiding
Home and Community
EDUCATE CHILDREN
FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY
Says There Are More 0ppor-
tunitieS for the Young Man
Now Than Ever Before--Plea
for Education


upon the farmers of the United States to
educate their children for the best prac-
ticaI leadership to secure advantages of
opportunities, President Charles A Bar
rett. of the Farmers National Educa-
tionaI and Cooperative union, has is
sued statement TO the members of the
organization. His statement follows:
STATEMENT OF BARRETT.
To the Officers and Members of the
Farmers Union:
Many officers and members have asked
me to amplify the views expressed last
week regarding the personal responsibili-
ty of the farmer in the solution of the
rural problem. No other issue before
the American people equals this one in
national significance. Upon its proper
consideration depends the present and
the future of America, from every angle
of industry and citizenship. For the old
demagogic cry that the farmer Is the
backbone of the nation is but the faint
stating of a truth borne in upon our
most candid thinkers today with sledge
hammer emphasis.
Il spoke last week of the obligation OF
the farmer toward his children, in the
line of giving them the best educational
facilities at his command and equipping
them for the struggle of life that they
might record yet more progress over
their parents.
1T is doubly important to discharge this
obligation with fidelity, for the reason !
that it is the educated few who. rule in
this or any other country
You will hear it stated on every side
that the majority dominates our govern
ment Analyze cIosely and you will find
it is not the majority. Our actual ruler
is that comparatively small host OF
trained brains and disciplined minds that
md
that have next absorbed the true lessons
of leadership and of general success in
life.
THE principle holds. whether under a
Republican, a monarchical or a despotic
form -of government
Are you going to Mt your boy to be
one of the rulers, or one of the great
mass of the ruled? That is one of the
questions you must face If you wish to
do your just part in the solution of the
rural problem
I'm educating your boy for leadership
and for sane thinking, you are educating
him for success in every other CONNER
cial activity.
To-day there are more opportunities
for the young man than ever in our
history. Politicians to the contrary
notwithstanding, the trusts have not
closed fast the doors of opportunity.
Every day business people in all lines
ask me for young men who can and
will do things. The cry everywhere is
for young men who are willing to work.
And the young man is first taught the
gospel OF work inside his own home.
mo farmers duty ends, however,
when he provides his family with the
best facilities. and the best livelihood,
possible to his means. For he must
then consider his duty to his comn1u-
nifty, and in so doing he must realize
a he axin ia mn
man Iiveth unto himself and no man
dieth unto himself That means that no
matter how hard we try we can't get
away from each other and that IL we
strive to do So the penalty Is stagnation
for ourselves and for those around US.
The principle of cooperation begun with
the Garden of Eden and 1t is still on
the job.
"I am an enthusiastic advocate OF
the home mission idea in the solution
of the rural problem, with every farmer
as home missionary. I believe every
man living was born with more or less
yearning to reform somebody, or some
thing, to help somebody or something.
Well, the place to exercise and encour-
age that instinct is right in your own
township, your own militia district, your
own county.
81 know it is human nat ire to get In
a huff with those folks at che church,
or the lodge, to become irritated or
pull out just because they didn't see
fit to elect you deacon, or steward, or
Sunday school teacher or superintendent,
or that the preacher, or the president
or master of your lodge doesn't suit you.
Maybe you are the best man for the
place, and maybe your neighbors were
mistaken in selecting somebody else. But
it isn't going to help matters for you
to quit in a rage. If you wait a little
while, nine chances to one things will
come right. And then, you know, may
be it's yourself after all, that is in the
wrong Size up the thing honestly, search
your own soul, and try to see honestly
whether or not you deserved such con-
sideration at the hands of your friends or
neighbors.
Some men tell me they can't get along
with Bill Jones or Tom Smith Jim
Anybody Else, or can't work with them
for the benefit of the community because
they're such contrary cusses.' My
observation is that, in the great majority
of cases, they didn't try hard enough to
get along with Bill, Tom or jim. The
first thing either one of the tnre said
that didn't agree with his special ideas,
he didn't wait to reason il out, bus fow
the coop without ceremony
PULLING DOWN FAULT"
There is more stagnation. more devil
try in rural communities today from
these IItdl are D<-Nn
of nothing, than of anything else in lie
category of pulling down You've
got to be mighty sure the fault isn't
your own, before you announce boldly
that you can't agree with your neigh
Dor.
Another thing-it may come to the
point where you make concession call
on Bill. Tom or Jim, reason with them,
try to get them to join you to get that
new school or church or lodge or road
or rural free delivery route, and find that
every attempt fails through.
when that happens, it may be that
you're in the wrong place. You might
try move. and get in a locality where
the folks understand you better or where
they're more responsive to your efforts.
And don't you ever forget that you your
self NAV not be paragon Of perfection