Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-11-08
THE AMERICAN FARMER.
BY NICHOLAS BIDDLE.
From an Address before the Philadelphia Society
for Promoting Agriculture.

BY NICHOLAS BIDDLE.
From an address before the Philadelphia Society
for Promoting Agriculture.
"If have failed to prove that the pursuits
of agriculture may be rs lucrative as other
empIovnents. it will be an easier task to
vndicatc their pleasure and their impor-
tance. Ineed not dwell on that retirement,
one of the purest enjoyments of this life,
and the best preparation for the future; on
those healthy occupations, on that calmness
of mind, on that high spirit ofmanliness and
independence, which naturally belong to
that condition. These are attractions which
must have deep roots in the human heart,
since they have in all times fascinated at
once the imagination, and won the judgment
of men. But may be allowed to say that
in this nation agriculture is probably des.
tined to attain its highest honors, and that
the country life in America ought to pos.
sess peculiar attractions. The pure and
splendid institutions of this people have EN-
bodied the highest dreams of those high
spirits who, in other times and in other
lands, have lamented or struggled against
expressions; they have realized the fine
conceptions which speculative men have
imagined, which wise men have planned, or
brave men vainly pershed in attempting to
establish. Influence in reclaiming the lost
dignity of man. and inspiring the lofiest feel.
ings of personal independence, may be
traced in every condition of our citizens;
but as all objects are most distinct by lnsu-
Iation, their effects are peculiarly obvious in
the country.
"The American Farmer is the exclusive,
absolute, uncontrolled proprietor of the soil.
His tenure is not from Government. The
Government derives its power from him.
There is above him nothing but God and
the laws; no hereditary authority usurpng
the distinctions ofpersonal genius; no esab.
lishcd church spreading its dark shadow
between him and heaven. His frugal
government neither desires nor dares to op.
press the soil, and the affairs are only sup
ported by the voluntary offerings of sincere
piety. His pursuits, which perversion can
render injurious 10 any, are directed to the
common benefit of all. In multiplying the
bounties of Providence in the improvement
and establishment of the soil, in the care o
the inferior animals committed to his charge
he will find an ever-varying and interesting
employment, dignifed by the union of sim
pie and generous hospitality. His char
acter assumes a loftier interest by its lnflu'
encc over the public liberty.
'It may not be forctold to what dangers
this country is destined, when its swelling
population, its expanded territory, its daily
complicating interests, shall awake the Ia
tent passions of men, and reveal the vulner
able points of our institutions But when
ever these perils shall come, its most stead
fast security, its most firm reliance will bt
on that column Of land proprletors- THE
men of the soil and ofthe country.
These men, powerful like their own forests
may yet interpose between the factions o
the country, to heal, to defend, and to save.