The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
It is estimated that three fourths of the people of the United States
are agriculturists, and nearly all the rest laborers of some sort
dependent upon them. Every economist knows that the interests of
agriculture, manufactures, and commerce are one and indivisible. He who
by word or deed helps one, helps all, and thereby moves civilization
onward one step at least. Before our Government takes hold of the
condition of agriculture in the United States as a state measure, and
even after it comes up to the hour when we shall have a Secretary of
Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce in the cabinet, after the manner
of France, Italy, and Prussia, the farmer himself, individually, must
work some important and radical changes in his social and industrial
polity, and prepare himself for the generous assistance of a wise and
beneficent Government.
The farmer supports every other material interest. Standing upon the
primary strata of civilization, he bears on his broad hands and stout
shoulders the 'weight of mightiest monarchies.' Daniel Webster calls him
'the founder of civilization.'
Is it at all necessary that the spring in the hills should be cool,
clear, and pure, and wind its way over a granitic soil, through green
meadows, beneath the shading forest, into a sandy basin, to form a
beautiful lake in a retired, rural retreat? If so, is it at all
necessary that the moral virtues of the founders of society should be
duly educated, cultured into the soul, leaving the impress on generation
after generation, of honor, of order, of manliness, of thrift? The
condition of the farmers is the postulate by which the sagacious
economist will foretell the future prosperity of the nation they
represent. This is what the American farmer should have presented to him
from every stand-point. It is lamentable that this vocation should be so
sadly represented by the most of those who are engaged in it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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