Year: 1878

The farmers Of country are it's chief reliance. How important then that they should be intelligent and worthy. How indispensable to far mers are good schools to educate those who are to take their places? A heavy responsibility rests upon parents in regard so the education of their children. Not only good schools, but good books, and good papers should meet with hearty welcome in every farmers home. - Ft. Smith Herald.

 There is food for serious reflection in these few pointed and truthful words. There are several thoughts here which we wish our farmers would consider, analize and digest.

 1st, Do our farmers realize that they are our conntry's chief reliance? Do they realize that their calling IS one of the most important and hon orable of all the avocations followed by men9 Do they understand why the farmer-the average tiller of the soil--is looked upon as near about the tall end of creation?

 2d. And here comes in second thought which will furnish an ex- planatlon for tie condition of affairs suggested in the last question above. Intelligence and worthiness! The farmer must be brought to realize that he is as good as anybody, and that his children are as good as any body else's children and as deserv- ing of an education. If farmers are but mere drudges for the rest of mankind, and enjoy no social distinc- tion and reap no official honors, it is there own fault. Show us farmer who has made himself intelligent and worthy, and who RESPECTS HIM SELF, and we will show you a man who is respected by everybody. Farmers. do you wish your chil dren to keep in the old ruts, and grow up. live and die, mere drndges as you, many of you, are doing? If ycu don't, EDUCATE THEM.

 And here we arrive at third thought: "How will we educate

 

 themT. And here is the answer: Not only good schools, but good books and good papers should meet a hearty welcome in every farmer s home. How many farmers homes in Pope county are supplied with ANYTHING for the growing up mem bers of the household to read? Hun dreds of them have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. An, the responsibility resting upon such head of a family is fearful! If all our farmers cannot send their children to school, they can, at least, get them some good book or paper to read something to place food for thought before their minds. Thought is the nourish ment that feeds the mind and de velops the intellect, and the parent, who, for the paltry sum which it would cost to subscribe for a good i, newspaper withholds the thought food from his children, is guilty of starving an intellect which some day might shine brighter then the mete or which shoots athwart the clear blue sky, albeit farmers son or daughter should possess it.

 Show us the boy or girl who once has his or her thinking powers thor oughly aroused, and set ln motion in the right direction, and we will show you man or woman, a few years hence, of intelligence and in huence, even if he or she may not have a polished education, Such q boy or girl Will not grow up and De content to live and die mere non entity as it were. Their pride and ambition will be aroused and they will come to the surface as surely as will cork in water.

 There is no excuse for parents rearing up children in ignorance and iliteracy in this day of printing presses and cheap reading matter. Will not every farmer in Pope coun- ty set q resolution for the new year that their families shall from that tune on have reading matter, and l carry out that resolution if you only furnish them your county paper. To do that much will cost you al. most nothing, and it will be start which will most surely awaken an appetite in your chil,iren for reading. 

 The Harrison Times says in sup ] IT N.II