Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

| Orange paper by 5. +. Emerson of Skowhegan
| wish TO see the farmer prosperous
contented, happy. | wish to see him
master of the farm, master of circum
stances, master of conditions. This is
his privilege, his birthright. Anything
snort of this is not satisfactory. We
read much in the agricultural press
about the prosperity of farmers and thai
prosperity is along the single line OF
money-making, wealth getting, and big
bank investments. A large farm, tine
buildings, improved stock and big crops
seems to be the goal they are constantly
admonished to reach. "Get there" is
the cry. Bend every energy, sacrifice
every comfort, let health and happiness
60, only get that fine farm, that improv-
ed stock, those big crops. Aud many
are following along that trail. They
caught the spirit, and the hard work
that goes with il, and are well out on the
road going at rapid pace, will never
stop, not even let up till age and rheu-
matte pains and bent form absolutely
compel them to. Listen. Hear what |
have to say. Is this the right way? Is
it the better way? Are not such farmers
owned, soul and body, by the farm and
the farm hard, tyrannical master, de-
manding not eight hours day, but
nearly double that in constant, down
right hard work?
The farm has not only got the farmer
but the wife and family also. You may
say that am giving too much color to
the picture but L am not. While such
conditions are not very common, yet
they exist more or less in every section.
know about them, many of them, men
in middle life, ought to be sound OF
body and mind, but are overworked,
overburdened with the care of a big
farm. No let up, no recreation, no time
that they can claim their own. The
farm has got it all and holds on to it
with an iron grip.
The grandfather wrested the farm
from the wilderness. The father strug-
gled from early boyhood to old age, buy
ing on more land, erecting larger build
ings and planning for an increased
amount of work for the next generation.
The present owner takes it where the
father left off and the increased labor
with it. Aud what is his condition:
The university professor or newspaper
editor, riding past, with an eye for the
best, will say, "1sn't that a splendid
barn and what fine dwelling house and
other buildings, with verandas and bay
windows and shade trees? And take a
look at those broad, smooth fields, just
burdened with the abundant crops OF
the farm! And see the dairy cows and
the horses and the sheep, why, what
happiness, what prosperity! How envy
the proprietor of such farm as that
But 90 inside, investigate, learn the
facts That very farmer that you envy
is a slave. There is no public spirit in
him. He hardly knows that there is
live Grange down at the village only two
or three miles away, where he and his
wife might 60 and become acquainted
with others and get large enjoyment
out of life. Never attended state fair
in his ife's history. No time to put in
al a state fair. His mas er-the farm,
demands his services aud must have
them at this time of year. On beautiful
Sabbath mornings he hears the ring of
the church bell calling humble worship
pers to the house of God, but he pays no
attention. There are so many things
that have TO be looked after on the farm
and Sunday is the only day that the
farm will let him off to do them, so
every church in the land may close its
doors; every Grange may go down and
out; every state fair aud every institute
and every public utility that builds up
and develops citizenship and character
of high standard, may cease to exist,
q. Ill 81 10 i'm In
time, no desire, no will TO reach out a
hand to save. That merciless master
that owns him, the farm, demands that
he rise early and work late, year in and
year out and he Obeys. At first the
young wife had higher aspirations and
ideals Of life, while she was willing to
plan and work for the home, she had a
desire to attend church, to be a member
of society, to get the best there is in life,
but the care of the farm household,
hired help and the rush of farm work
broke her down and carried her into
the narrow channel the husband follow
ed and now the farm owns her too.
This article will strike. 1t is written
for that purpose. The object is to turn
attention to the essential things OF the
farm and of life. Not to tear down but
to build up. Not to enslave but to set
free Well developed manhood and wo-
manhood is far above and of far greater
importance than improved stock or an
improved farm and the former should
not be sacrificed for the latter. Let us
have both if possible, but give the fam
ily the first chance aud let the farm
come in second.