The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1910-04-28

llI6s IL Was lHSSt thob SAS So
head of our nation should feel an
interest in the betterment of condi-
tions among the people who consti-
tute the very back bone of the ma
ton. Since that time much has
been written upon subjects relating
to the rural conditions and people
have been brought to think serious
ly along this line. We quote as
follows from a paper by M. I.
Scuder, Rutgers Preparatory
School, New Brunswick, N. j.:
The Country Boy, the Nations
Best Asset.
Among all civilized peoples the
country boy has proved to be the
nations most valuable asset. In
America he has loomed into start
ling prominence. 1t is estimated
that upwerds of 90 per cent OF the
men and women mentioned in
"Who's Who are from the rural
districts. Splendid humanity has
always been one of the staple pro-
ducts of our farm lands.
Further, contented rural pop
ulatiou is essential to the welfare OF
a nation. A nation develops
power in proportion as its peo-
pie remain in contented pros
perity and in large numbers
on its farms. Undermine the wei
fare of the country districts, allow
conditions of rural life 10 be such
as to breed discomfort to drive peo-
pie away; destroy or even seriously
iniure this great reservoir of man
hood, character and patriotism, and
you have social condition far
more threatening than would be the
arrival of hordes of anarchists
Unfortunately, we are menaceo
by the very things which We dread
Nearly everywhere the rural dis
tricts are being depleted of theiI
population. The situation has be
come serious. In some section:
there are not enough men to exploi
the natural resources of the land
Churches and schools are less wei
attended, grow weak. and close
Things combine to work in a vi
cious circle; isolation and hardship'
drive many away, and thus isola
tion and hardships become intensl
fed for those who remain. Il
some sections All undesirable clas!
of foreigners, some gossly immora
are drifting in, and thus the reluc
tance of the older settlers to remain
is increased.
Producing Contentment in the
Country.
Home, church, and school shoulC
unite intelligently to produce con
ditions which will make for con
tentment. Social forces in tn,
country are centrifugal and expuls
i've; their directions is from thu
center outward and away; they
must be made centripetal and at
tractive. The dominating question
should not be; "How can ge
away?' but "How can I make con
ditions such that / shall be glad tt
stay?"
AS an aid in improving condi
tions, the telephone, the trolley AM
the rural free delivery are operat
ing fayorably The church ant
school are beginning to feel nev
life. Economic conditions are ais
improving, aud farm lands anc
crcns are more valuable than eve
before. Perhaps the most comfort
able and prosperous class in III
country today are the farmers
They are organizing everywhere
the most noted organization
being the Grange with more than
million members. A rural liter:
ture is rapidly developing, teemin
with excellent books and magnii
Gently edited periodicals. Mo-
astonishing are the varied agenci'
which have begun TO operate for
social uplift. The future Is full
hope.
OF course. this new life has n
reached all, nor even the man
And even Ia the favored commuf
ties 1t has scarcely extended dov