Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-24

market for the crops when raised. The
growth has been astounding, and land
only fifty miles from New York, which
during our entire national life time has
been treated worthless, has within
the last three or four years been proved
to possess a really high value.
FARMER MUST BE INTERESTED.
THE farmer. however, must not only
make his land pay, but he must make
country life interesting for himself and
for his wife and his sons and daughters.
Our people as a whole should realize the
infinite possibilities of life in the eoun-
try: and every effort should be made to
make these possibilities more possible.
From the beginning of time it has been
the man raised in the cOuntry-and
usually the man born in the country
who has been most apt to render the SER
vices which every nation most needs.
Turning to the list of American states
men, it is extraordinary to see how large
proportion started as farm boys. But
it is rather sad to see that in recent
years most of these same boys have
ended their lives as men living in cities.
1T often happens that the good cOndi-
| tions of the past can be regained, not
by going back, but by going forward.
We cannot recreate what is dead; we
cannot stop the march of events; but we
| can direct this march. and out of the new
! conditions develop something better than
| the past knew. Henry Clay was a far
| mer who lived all his life in the country
Washington was farmer who lived and
| died in the country: and we of this ma
ton ought to make it our business to
| see that the conditions are made such that
| farm life in the future shall not only
develop men of the stamp of Washington
and Henry Clay, but shall be so attrac-
| tive that these men may continue as
| farmers: for remember that Washing
| ton and Henry Clay We're successful far
mers. I hope that things will so shape
| themselves that the farmer can have a
great career and yet end his life as a
| farmer; so that the city man will look
| forward to living in the country rather
| than the country man living in the city.
BELIEVE IN THE GRANGE.
Farmers should learn how to combine
| effectively, as has been done in industry.
I am particularly glad to speak to the
| Grange for I heartily believe in farmers
| organizations; and we should all well
come every step taken towards an in
creasing cooperation among farmers.
| The Importance Of such movements can
| not be overt estimated: and through such
| intelligent joint action it will be possible
| to improve the market just as much as
| the farm
Country life should be as attractive
as city life, and the country people
should insist upon having their full re-
presentation when it comes to dealing
with all great public questions. In other
words. country folks demand that the
work be on equal terms with city folks in
all such matters. They should have their
share. in the memberships of commissions
and councils: in short, of all the organ
| lied bodies for laying plans for great en-
| terpriaes affecting all the people. I am
glad to see on such bodies the names
that represent financial interests, but
those interests should not have the right
of-way, and in all enterprises and move
ments in which the social condition Of the
country Is involved the agricultural coun-
try-the open country-should be as well
represented as the city. The man of the
open country Is apt to have certain quail
ties which the city man has lost These
qualities Offset those which the city man