The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-07-22
=ARME Frs WEAK md S TRoM9
Hi Truly Representative Government
They Should Weld More ls1fau-
enca With Legislators

Ii point OF numbers, farmers are
strong. They cast more votes 10 our
general elections than any ether class
they constitute about one-third % /
all the voters of the country 70 T
truly representative government there
fore, they ought to have more fnflu-
ence with our law-making and govern
ing powers than any other class. says
the Up-to-Date Farming.
In tho extent OF their Industry I
farmers are strong. Within the very
borders Of our cities, almost within
the shadow of our most magnificent
palaces. adjoining the grounds OF our
greatest institutions, and virtually be.
meath the caves Of our most Important
establis hments, the soil
is titled, and no corner In all our
broad domain is too remote to afford
d site for a farmers home. Wherever
our flag is unfurled it casts its shadow
on a farm.
IN respect to the variety, value and
Importance Of their products farmers
are strong. The farmers actually ere.
ate wealth; other classes only change
or modify it, or find It where It Is
hidden In the earth. No other class
of industry produces the amount OF
value that annually comes from the
farms, and no other industry is so
necessary to the life and comfort OF
man and beast But for farming,
every mine would close, every mill
and factory would shut down, and
every railway train would stop 20
never start again. Without the prod
ucts Of the farms civilization would
die, and man and beast could Live
only in wild and savage state.
| But as to concert OF action farmers
are weak. Their land Is measured by
metes and bounds, and they have acs
| quired the habit of confirming their
/ efforts to the acres thus enclosed. As
their labor is held within these mar
row bounds, their thoughts seldom
| wander beyond them. They know
their living comes from the soil they
! cultivate and the pastures they main.
tain, and they seem not to realize
that interests important to them lie IN
the beyond. Thus Is every farmer hia
own man. IN that he feels q de-
| gree OF independence that appeals to
his individuality, and builds within
him sense OF pride that blinds him
to the fact that other classes SINK
their individuality in united efforts foE
privileges and powers even beyond
their callings. No class Of people are
SO divided on public questions as farm
ers are. Impulse and excitement cal
some OF them to one standard and
some to another, and when thus raj
lied they shout for leaders and names
without thought as to what the rea
results may be to them, or of what In
terests to them may be wrapped UP II
those results We say this not to thu
disparagement OF farmers. Long nab
it and Unborn prejudices are hard t.
overcome, and from example datin,
far back, they have a trustful conf
dence In everything beyond cultiva
ton and production.
It Is not so with the other classes
, They are all of later origin The.
. were born of more modern demand
: and lived upon privileges. These priv
iIeges, special privileges, are the OF
!, iects OF their constant care, and n
prejudices influence them away froI
t the guardianship OF these specia
privileges and interests. They unhes
t tatingly sink their combined effort
= to maintain and increase the priv
{ leges that give them advantages owe
Y the toiling world, especially that par
8 Of 1t which tolls upon the farms.
o is no wonder that farmers eternall
9 find themselves laboring under sue
L weight OF disbursement.
Q What Is the remedy? This Is q
age Of education. Farmers must lear
{ from the example OF others. The
t must overcome their petty prejudice
q and cease to worship names without
u substance. They must realize tbs
g their interests extend beyond th
3, farms. and often center In the court
II and the halls Of legislation and th
. congress, and they must know whi
" those interests are and how to secul
o them. The first thing for them
IS learn Is, that a single farmer, no ma
e ter how skilled, Industrious or su
g cessful, is only a man when nations
J. powers and influences stand up 70
counted. TN union there Is sthrengtl
y applies to farmers as well as to other
20 and farmers will never come to the
q own, will never enjoy rights and PR
'e ileges accorded to others, will new
y, have an equal and equitable standi1
le in opportunities, protection and bul
le ness until, like other classes. ti'
'e united to make their demands back
d by the combined powers Of their gre
. calling.
N Prejudice Against Books.
er
9. Many farmers have strong pre-.