Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-12

nature, or MOSt ilkeiNtO advance ler pros
perity, she has solid ground 10 stand on
for making this enquiry. II her political
ignorance is like "A narcotic administered
TO conhding virgin, no physician who
wishes 10 see her vigilant IN the preserva-
hon OF her treasure, can disapprove OF
her acquiring an intimate knowledge OF
her own interest, and an acute discern
ment OF such measures as may advance
or obstruct it. How can she gain capa-
city for this discrimination, so essential
10 her prosperity, but by an industrious
exercise oi her best talents through the
medium of the press2
In struggle for empire, even among
the true, sound and virtuous social inter
ests, ought agriculture 10 reliuquisli her
pretenslons 10 equality, If not 10 prc-euli
nence, and tamely Yield up prize, 10 gain
which she so largely contributed Per
haps free and candid discussion Of her
claim to justice, may disclose some less
worthy competitor, whose prowess may
eyIncc the necessity for coalition be
tween those interests, founded in princi-
pies OF mutual right, ami pure friendship.
Are not the consequences OF such al uu-
ION to private happiness and public pros
perity, worthy of IA diligeni enquiry Laws
may affect agriculture. as well as COM
merce or manufactures and hence as
powerfully require the attention of a sOci-
ely confined 10 thai special object, as laws
Affecting commerce or manufactures, re-
Qulre The attention OF societies for ,heir
improvement. Would not resolution
by society for promoting commerce,
manufactures or internal improvements,
10 disregard legal favor. justice or injury,
and Ia repose III legal Ignorance, tie re-
nunciatIon OF The source of success, ard
prophetic Of lis fate ?.... The patriotic
advocates for Internal improvements, far
from contIning themselves 10 mathenaii
cal discussions, contend, that legislation
constitutes the source OF their prosperity
or decay, and laboriously investigate its
influence upon inferior objects Are these
enquiries irrelative, or ought the cardinal
internal impro, ement TO be prohibited bv
its advocates, from acquiringa species Of
knowledge, even necessary for the pros
perity OF her landmarks Is not fair
competition in industry under the shield
OF equal laws, between the interest " hich
cover all, as necessary 10 excite emulation
and TO produce improvement, as such
competition among associated indiyi-
duals $?
Surprising that the maxim" ne shor III
ira crepidam" is as applicable TO science
as 10 a cobblcr; aud that the votares Of
agriculture ought 10 stick TO The plough,
and continue to " whistle as they drive ii
for want Of thought" whilst her friends
and her foes are encouraged 10 become
deeply learned in the subtleties of legis-
lation: vel as no one denies TO them the
knowledge aud skill necessary TO make
good crops, because all eat; ii is super
fiuous TO consider, whether verbal COM
munications and local examples; or es-
says and books. constitute The best means
for effecllg the end; since all may be
united, and each may operate in lis own
sphere. Agriculture has certainly hou-
rlShed most in those countries, where the
press has been most extensively employ
ed as an auxiliary TO example. lis great
efficacy may possibly be owing TO qua
lity Of the mind, neither unfrequeni nor
imperative. 1t is quality, often offend
ed by The wisest lectures aud the bright
est examples; but seoihed by the appTo-
prallOns II can make from reading and
delighted by a display of requirements,
drawn from the common reservoir Of
knowledge. 10 copy example, it looks
upon as species OF plagiarism aud there
fore the most beautiful agricultural expe-
rimcnt unrccoTded, WoulI be frequently
fly. To yield 20 verbal lecture, it abhors,
as confession of ignorance; and tie ex-
celleDce OF advice is apt to strengthen IFS
opposition. But the activity Of This qua
lily. unrestrained by the fear of degrada-
ton, andexcited by the hope of applause,
may be enlisted through the press, and
become highly useful IN the improvement
Of agriculture. Whatever it can thence
acquire, II will practice as lis own and
propagate with zeal and lis great share
both OF talent and industry, renders il
coadJutor worthy Of being conciliated.
Great social ends are effected, by seiz-
ing crisis i'll public opinion. During
the performance of temper for cmi-
grafton, iniamed by the cheapness and
proximity of new lanG, neither prceept
nor example could demonstrate the pro-
prlety OF improving the old, or subveri the
runous habitof killing, because we could
dee from the corpse. But now when this
habit is checked by the general appro-
pration Of good new land, by lis high
price, aud by It's increasing reRiotene s
from commerce; the public begins to
look for prosperity IN ilIe true place, and
TO disclose some aTtlour tu discover re-
medy for an evil, which emigration will
soon cease TO furnish. As we cannot
mucllonger fly from WON out lands, and
rec0mpense ourselves for unequal laws,
by retiring 10 more fertile regions we
shall soon turn our eyes towards the
means by which we may be enabled to
live at home. Let not this new temper
stop al hope or evapOrate in theory. Let
II not be neglected by society for pro-
noting agriculture. Enliyened By wri
ting, printing, example and experiment
excited by rewards; and encouraged by
political justice. it is able 10 recover the
fertility which has been lost, and 10 pre-
vent The ruin OF the state, which is i'm
pcpd,,,- II.