The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-12-28

farmer OF yesterday has been trans-
formed In the last few years TO a
man dependent upon his slaves and
ties FOR support. Now his farm Is
grown up In bushes and his timber
supply is almost exhausted. Is not
this man 10 be pitied2 Such is the
condition OF a vast number OF our
mountain farmers.
Fellow students. do you not see
that our people are In a serious con-
dition2 Something must be done TO
restore our former Independence and
prosperity. To educate the youth to
mis- trade will lay a foundation for
our country's development. We can
never have any good roads, churches,
or schools In a community where the
majority Of the people must use all
their efforts to obtain food and clothea
We see that the mountain boys should
know better methods OF farming. We
know that the prosperity Of the noun
tain people Is depending upon the
efficiency OF the coming farmer.
Therefore is 1t not worth while to
begin now TO teach in the public
schools, along with the other studies,
the principles Of agriculture, that the
youth OF today may be able to do his
part In bringing the hill country TO
A hfgh educational aud kna,..t,SoI
standard?
Those Of you who In the near flu
ture will be members OF our law max
ing body, let 1t be- your greatest am
bition to pass a law which will be
Of the highest benefit to those who
elected you. When you are chosen
then you are the pride OF the peoples
choice, and you will be held respon-
sible before God for what you are
able to do for the peoples welfare.
The mountain people do not realize
their most important need, but their
POORLY constructed highways and scan
ty producing farms tell OF a need
which challenges your aid vast deal
more than the need OF the trust or
railroad company. The loyal noun
ialneor who shall vote for you and
If necessary would fight for you will
lie expecting something great to he
done. lie is not sure what 1t will
10. but on the face OF his children
Is written the expectation. Those chill
iren are to live in a different age TO
that OF their parents. The times shall
demand them to know their OCCUPATION
and to know It well. Future legisla-
tors, when you enter the legislative
hall put forth your greatest effort to
bring about a law that will compel
every public school teacher of Ken
lucky and the other mountain states
TO know the principles OF agriculture
and be able To teach them.
Unless the mountain people increase
the production OF the soil they must
continue 10 hire low salaried teachers.
We are supplying other states with
professional teachers. In the past We
have contributed 10 our sister states
many governors and congressman.
The mountains by birth can claim the
OF well-to-do farmers in
Madison, Garrard, and Clark counties.
Why is II that We are always turn
ing out 30 many successful men and
keen 30 few for our own use? Is 1t
because We have nothing for them
TO do? No. For the teacher there is
an inexhaustible amount OF work.
For the lawyer there are plenty OF
murder cases TO prosecute and defend.
And for the farmer there is work
from sun to sun. IL Is because our
farmers do not know how to make
the soil produce enough to support
themselves. the school teacher, and
The preacher and to make good roads.
The wealthy. and educated people,
-he cream OF our population, will con-
lnue TO leave US as long as the
Iarmer receives no training for his
life work.
Fellow students, where is our noun
lain patriotism? Shall we leave our
homes that need US to build
roads. schools, churches. and go west
Just because we can get more money?
Many of you, l know. will stay by
your people. But more will stay when
he farm produce Is Increased.
Just as long as we neglect to- pre-
'are the coming farmer to farm SO
ong will we produce great men for
'ther states. If the coming farmer
5 not able " produce a salary which
Sill meet tho demand OF the pro-
teacher. and II he Is not |
lDle to help build high schools and
make public Improvement, then two
Dore Doctor Pearsons will live their
lays and pass away disappointed in
Is far as their hopes were invested
n the average class OF mountain peo-
de.
Let US no longer put our hopes In
shat shall happen In the future when
he coal and timber OF the hills are
developed: but NAV we begin IN nra-