THE SOCIAL RANK OF FARMERS. 191 



under the cloud of debt, the bonnet his wife wears, the varments with which 

 his cliilJren are clad, the carriage in which they ride, have attached to them 

 the neigliborhood label, " lie's in debt for all he's worth." His daily walk is 

 under the shadow of these remarks, and he imagines many more that are never 

 said. 



A costless, but valuable adornment, that will win its way in every honorable 

 calling in life is courtesy ; children should be taught its principles and made 

 to practice true courtesy and good manners as early as their a, b, c. 

 Another mark of social standing and rank in the farmer is cleanliness. By 

 this is not meant that the farmer should be free from the sweat, the dust, and 

 the soil in which he labors, but it is meant that no farmer is so poor that three 

 hundred and sixty-five days in every year must find him with a dirty shirt. 

 Water is so free, and factory and calico so cheap, that a change of clothing can 

 now and then sever the material connection of barn and house. While there 

 are very few to whom this would apply, yet there are those in almost every 

 community whose influence, like Grand Rapid's plaster, is a better fertilizer 

 among vegetation than in society. 



Now and then are found farmers who make the highway in front of their 

 house, their wood pile, and their front yard a hog pasture, , It may be the 

 latter is done because of. the excuse rendered by the Irishman, " Because it 

 contains all the convaniences for a pig." But these, with many other un- 

 American ways of doing, have their influence upon the social standing of those 

 farmers who practice them, if not upon the profession. 



In conclusion allow me to say that social rank in America is not created by 

 self-assumption. Tho shallow pated dudes, their sisters and wives who have 

 grown up between brick walls, and know not the difi'orence between a pig and a 

 rabbit, who define the farmer as some one has defined the mule, "with no pride 

 of ancestry nor hope of posterity," are themselves but parrots playing in some 

 father's cage, and whose prattle is heard with as much amusement. But the real 

 and genuine social caste which comes from more enduring qualities, and which 

 is better appreciated as intelligence and common sense increase, is a caste and 

 rank that we may court and encourage. Some kind of social r<ink always has 

 and always Avill exist, and since no legislating, lawing, or coaxing can drive it 

 out, it becomes every station to accept the situation as it is, and to keep as far 

 in advance of the ambulance wagon and as near the front rank as possible. 



The social caste of farmers will be both collectively and individually the 

 dignity they give their calling by the epaulets they place upon their own 

 shoulders. And I believe the day is not far distant when from city and hamlet, 

 from woodland, vale, and glen, will arise in unbroken harmony, a chorus to 

 those fireplace words of liobert Burns: — 



What the' on homely fare we dine, 



Wear hoddin grey and a' that, 



Gie fools their silks and knaves their wine, 



A man's a man for a' that, 



For a' that and a' that 



Tlieir tinsel show afid a' that, 



Tlie honest man tho' e'er sae poor. 



Is king o' men for a' that. 



