The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-11

Nu of what saw in the West, am still con-
1V4 vinced that the biggest lesson Southern
farmers can learn is from what did not see And
for the purpose of emphasizing this negative
teaching of Western agriculture, am going to re-
peat and emphasize some of the things have al
ready said that did see in this progressive
and prosperous agricultural section
IL has come to my attention that one of my
readers has objected to this summary OF things |
did not see as "a reflection the South" And
this leads me to say that there is hardly anything
else in Southern life that makes me so exceed
ngly weary as just this attitude toward every
frank criticism of Southern conditions What I
said about the criticism of Dr. Stiles some months
age lis as appropriate as anything could say in
reply TO this critic of mine. and | am going to
reprint herewith the paragraph published at that
time
1T is high time. anyhow. for the South to
get over this morbid and babyish sensitive
ness about the publication of every statistical
fact that doesn't please passing fancy
The true Southcrner. the man we ought to
honor and follow. is the man who looks
unpleasant fact squarely In the face and sets
about getting remedy. In Heavens name
let's have done with our quack. popularity
hunting doctors and leaders who tell there
Is nothing the matter with us. that we are
the greatest and happiest people earth.
and that all need to do is to keep for
ever In our old ruts of iiliteracy undeveloped
resources. and out-of-date farming methods.
Let us rather follow the doctor and the leader
who loves the South with all his heart but
who loves her too well not to use the knife OF
criticism and reform upon the cancers that
are sapping her economic life and general .
well-being"
In love for the South yield to no man living
II have any master passion. it is the desire to
make my life OF some service 10 her and her peo-
pie. My father fought in her armies. and pity
the who does not respond to the patriotism
of Senator carmaek's eloquent declaration: Il
born OF that land: was nurtured at her
bosom. and TO her every drop OF my blood. every
iber of my being. every pulsation OF my heart. is
consecrated forever"
But how are we going TO serve the South Ger
tainly IL will never be by playing the ostrich and
hiding our heads In the sand In order to keep from
seeing facts as they are. The miserable batteries
that the Southern people have tolerated so long In
n certain type OF politician and demagogue make
me wonder sometimes II Dante was not right az
ter all In putting hattorers In one OF the lowest
hclis along with thieves AMI forgers. II you are
going into training TO struggle for the mastery
with some powerful and muscular wrestler. that
Is not your friend who aatters you with
thousand iuling compliments about your strength
and your superiority over your opponent, and now
needless II Is for you 10 fear opposition Your
real friend Is the man who tells you the exact
truth about the strength OF your rival, who tells
YOU how necessary II Is that you put yourself In
the very best of training. on the very best of diet
and who urges you day after day to avoid every
weakening and facilitating influence. who encour-
axes you indeed, for every well-meant effort you
put forth. but who never lulls you into sense OF
ease and false security that would only ruin you
In tho end.
II know my own heart II Is this sort or friend
| wish 10 be 10 our Southern farmer folk, and /
hope shall always be too true to them to Halter
them. AS one OF our Tennessee correspondents
said the other day; MY heart goes out to all