176 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan , 



and constant attention to his duties as a citizen. This is the con- 

 dition on which he holds his rights. 



It is very necessary that citizens of the agricultural commu- 

 nities should be alert in these duties, in order to counteract the 

 evil tendencies of the great cities. The collection of very large 

 populations in commercial centers is one of the serious problems 

 of the day. It is in these great cities that rings, strikes, frauds, 

 trades-unions, socialism, centralization and political corruption, 

 crime, and immorality are born, fostered, and best flourish. In 

 agricultural districts — with some unfortunate exceptions — the 

 tendency is in the opposite direction; the people are there, as a rule, 

 devoted to peace, justice, and good order. 



The trouble is and has been that in the great centers of popula- 

 tion the rabble is found active, aggressive, and working as a unit, 

 while in the country there is less interest and activity in public 

 affairs. As a result, our agricultural districts are not the power 

 they ought to be and might be made. It is for our farmers to 

 change this — first by a careful study of all the great questions of 

 public policy, that their judgment may be deliberately formed, to 

 guide intelligent action — and then by increased activity and de- 

 cisive action. 



Farmers constitute the reserve forces of conservatism under all 

 governments, particularly our own. Let them come to the front 

 now, as they did in the early days of the Republic; for our lib- 

 erties were conquered by farmers, and farmers largely framed our 

 organic laws, local and State, and framed the national constitution. 



A narrower but hardly less important field of usefulness is that 

 of the locality or neighborhood. Every farm family has many 

 opportunities for making its own locality attractive and improving 

 in various ways. Much can be done towards enlivening and elevat- 

 ing the social life of the neighborhood. Every farmer should be 

 a good neighbor. " The Golden Rule " is nowhere more appli- 

 cable or more fruitful than in the country. It is the duty of all 

 to take an honest pride in their own locality, village, and town; to 

 join heartily in all real and sensible improvements looking towards 

 the comfort, health, and happiness of the community. Be public- 

 spirited. Do your full part toward maintaining good schools and 

 good roads. All these things cost money, in the form of taxes or 

 otherwise. But they should not be regarded as burdens; they are, 

 rather, the safest and most productive of investments. A local 



