The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1911-12-02
BACK TO THE FARM"
NATIONAL BAPTIST UNION RE.
VIEW WARNS RACE OF RESULTS
OF MAD RUSH OF OUR PEOPLE
TO THE CITIES.

mas been sent and Is now being her. |
aided to the inhabitants of the con.
gested centers of population. the great |
ovcrcrowded cities, by the great mold. !
ers and shapers of public opinion the
great statesmen. newspapers and mag
azines, ie piece of pcemonitive ad-
vice that Is fraught with the future
veal or woe of our common country.
according to It's acceptance or reiec
ton. However the unthinking and cas-.
ual observer may look at the matter,
there is serious aspect to II. never.
theless; and thoughtful observers
whose visions of future possibilities
are tolerably clear and reasonable are
deeply concerned about IT, They draw
their conclusions from the congested
conditions OF the cities made 80 by
those who have and are now constant.
ly leaving The farms the mainstay and
support for the wellbeing and pros
perity Of the municipal communities.
The thoughtful men of the times are
well aware of the dire calamities that
will inevitably come IL the good broad
acres are left untitled and the erst
while contented and happy swains
pour themselves into the laps of the
great cities to become part of that
nondescrpt element from which are
bred all sorts of idlers. black.legs and
criminals. These sons and daughters
of the soil, untutored In the devious
ways Of city life, soon drift to the low
est level and soon become the ready
prey OF the vilest and most loathsome
diseases. which ere Death write over
against their brief careers "finis." they
disseminate TO the detriment of SO
ciety.
The drift of our people from the ri.
raj regions and precincts that has
been going on so rapidly for the few
years past almost amounts to an ex.
odus. The agricultural districts are
being depopuated, while the cities
and large towns are being surfeited.
There are underlying causes that make
possible this state of affairs, yet
there are remedial adjustments for
these causes. Our ministers. educa
tors and philanthropists can remedy
W ~ ldi 81 anu app tNidblt utEitt Ah'
conditions that drive our people from
the country into the cities and towns
The minister has. II he Is what his
calling implies. an influence over the
members of his congregation such as
no other man has, which gives him
the power to direct them in buying aud
building comfortable homes and sur
rounding themselves with that which
comes of thrift and Industry and
which spells contentment and even
| happiness. II our ministers In the ru.
raj districts will but do their duty.
wholly and intelligently. they can
check this leaving of the country on the
part of many by showing the awful
fate that befalls the major portion OF
those who leave opportunities that
may be developed for the fuctuating
and uncertain conditions of city life.
The educator, can do telling service
In incuIcating an intelligent concep.
ton of the opportunities which lie be.
fore them into his country pupils. He
questionable period of their lives and
can influence them to love and devel.
op their surroundings. and that they
are as much the architects of their
fortunes and conditions In the coun
try as they would be In the germ-infest
ed cities and towns, and the philan
thropist can find place In the work
Of helping to instruct our people to
stay in the country where they are
and make good. They have the call
Ing that God himself assigned to man
and II Is the healthiest and happiest
Of all professions. II one will but follow
II intelligently as he would any other
profession.
Not only is this the right time to i'm
press upon the consideration of the
negro people the importance Of hold
ing on to their country homes. but too
great emphasis cannot be placed upor
the Importance OF acquiring more land
and more land and more homes anC
more homes. The day Is coming wher
n failure TO do this remorse, like {
vulture. will gnaw ever on the mind,
Of those who failed. II will then b,
too late, but regret will nevertheless!
be your companion.
Let all of our ministers and educa
tors, both Of the country and city
move out in earnest effort to rene
iy the sore situation confronting them
In which our people are leaving tn,
country to come to the towns and cit
les to die of tuberculosis and other In
fectious diseases in dens and novels
ana sunless easements. Other race
have movements OH foot to check thi
evil and let us meet II with interes
and concern that will be effective
This is a duty, sacred in every sens,
Of that term. that we owe to the futur,
well-being of posterlty.