The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-09-25
YOU HAVE MISJUDGED THE TENANT
FARMER

FOR many years there has been more or less talk
OF disparagng nature against the tenant farm-
ers of this section OF the state These men have
been charged with being worthless and shlttleSS and
with being roverS and as men who would run from
trouble rather than to stand and take the gaff and
work out OF hardshipS.
Tenant farmers have for the most part been very
poor They have had to pay more for money bor-
rowed or goods purchased credit on the theory
that it was more OF risk to deal with them than
with ordinary human beings.
Because the tenant farmer had this reputation he
has not surrounded himself with great deal of pres
tge he has taken what given him and made the
best of it and has not demanded more. Because he
was not in shape to demand more the house he has
to live in has been very poor, many OF them have
not had grass for milk stock have had to carry
water from the spring down on the creek, many
land owners have required certain acreage in cot
ton whether paid the tenant farmer to raise cotton
or not
The tenant farmer has never had thing to in
spire him Many OF them have embraced socialism
as a rebuke against the manner OF their treatment
because they did not know what else to do. Just as
two wrongs never made right, the tenant farmer
who has embraced socialism has made his condition
worse because he has been more generally abused
and has not been in condition to face the music and
demand things OF the landlords.
A powerful thought OF poverty has been held
against the tenant farmer. No one ever gives him
credit for knowing much or being able to do any
thing. In this the tenan farmer has been misjudged
He has done few things He has cleared the lands
of this country he has built such houses as are
here he has educated his children and the sons OF
tenant farmers are serving your county Off
cals and as editors of your papers and your ner-
chants in many instances. The tenant farmer de-
serves better thought toward him, his achievements
entitle him TO it.
This talk against the tenant farmer has been ac
centuated by the proposed bond issue OF halt
million dollars to be used in building roads. The
plan OF voting the bonds born out OF an effort
to help the tenant farmer when his cotton had failed
and now many OF those who against the bonds
openly state that you cannot help these men, that
they are past redemption, that they slohfu that
they do not put energy and judgment into their work
and that they cannot be helped because they do not
strive to help themselves.
\ On the other hand. men ought 20 remember that
there is not much difference in humanity after all.
What appeals TO appeals to almost all men,
what will inspire one man will inspire almost all
other men. As ong as a can be inspired he can
be helped. As long man has any gratitude he
can be helped, and was there man who was
not grateful to friend who helped him and his
family when he needed it, To say that man is de-
void OF gratitude is TO place him on scale lower
than the dog because the dog expresses gratitude.
II the land owners will provide better homes and
better living conditions they will develop better
class of farmers out OF the here they
will crowd them out and their places will go to men
of more pluck and energy But you will find when
YOU have begun different line OF treatment that
not many OF your men will need to be replaced
They will 60 to work and do more than they have
ever done before.
We are not denying the fact that there are few
useless men on the farms. but while that is true
there are also useless men in banks, in law offices
in newspaper plants. in county offices and in every
other calling, and in every other trade and profeS
sion. and we cannot Judge the whole by few.
The good men are always in the majority. There are
tenant farmers who have struggled and worked and
have done much, but series OF years against him
has depleted him OF necessities and he is up against
the rocks. Instead OF lending helping hand we
are inclined to abuse him for what we are pleased
to term his general useeSSneSs and his failure to
work
There are scores OF men here who worked
as tenant farmers for year, and who now own their
farms In nine cases out OF ten these men have
made friends OF business who have helped them
to get land. They may have not received help in
money, but they have been told how to proceed and
when see the good in these mea instead OF the
bad and begin to say good things to them and to
encourage them YOU will find ha, We will build a
citizenship better than we have No man suffering
from discouragement can do much until that dis
enlargement is dsspaed and scattered to the
winds where it belongs.