Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-11-10
[Trom The Knickerbocker for August.
AMERICAN SOCIETY.

i 1t is to the agricultural portion of our com
mun,y HAT we must lock tor the preservation
of Our liberties. The simplicity of their nrn-
ncrs and their isolate siuati, u cnahh them
to think and Judge. and act for thcmsrlv"s.--
UninAueneed by the power OF sympathy with
the many, and devoid of that restless cXclta-
I hility which places the popuace at onr cities
in the power Of every dcrlagogue who ha-
rancucs rilem from the polls t. the market
place, and vino can fire them either to acts OF
destruction or deeds of pltrlotIsn', this sober
and independent body of frecncn govern
their feelings by their rcason,uno their actions
4 by their sense of right.
| With what consciousness of superiority
must the farmer look down upon those who
are childishly triumphing i'll the possession ot
fine houses fine furniture and splendid equip
ages; and with what pity must he rcgnrd those
who are wearngout their lives and energies,
To gain those gilded plnythingS and ew-gaws
of mature age. AS for him. he treads the
imperial carpet with ms much Indifference us
lac does the dusty pathway; and the grassy
bank affords more inviting seat than the
most luxurious ottoman or .au,enll.
From my heart, honor the countrynan,ln
whatever situation he may be found. Look
at the wnggoncr beside hls team; the manll-
ness of his gait, the flourish Of his whip, the
very wearing of his hat, show that he Is a
freeman, that he feels no superior Contrast
him with the journcyman mechanic of the ci-
ty The latter is either cnpyist OF others.
in a different station in lite, or he is cmbtter-
ed by iealously and envy Of that class whom
he styles the aristncracy, aud whom he linag-
| ines to be lrauucd in an unholy alliance a
gainst the rights and privileges OF his fellow
workman.
Look at the wealthy farmer-thc man OF
character and intelligence. When among lis
laborers. he gives them the right hand of fell
| Iowship. and convcrses with them as with tel
low countrymen. Conscious OF his own stand
ing and influence, he assumes no superiority,
Il he admits them to his house, and often tn ms
table. And, in their turn,thcy always regard
| him with that Difference and respect which
lis due not to his estate, but to his NINA anu
4 character.
i How different is the man of fortune IN our
/ cities, whose riches are the result OF lie
devoted to gain. His workmcn, his clerks
I his less wealthy ncighbors, are those whose
! society he most wishes to avoid. Fearful lest
those with whom he cannot help associating
| lin the way Of business, should make tins ac-
/ ouaintancc an opportunity o! visiting him. l'e
wraps himself up in the mantle OF sclfconsc-
| qucncc az The only way OF preventing per-
! sonal contact. He looks at his lofty mansion
! his livcricd servants, and thinks oil beneath
! h,m. whose means will not enable them to
/ live in the same luxury and ostcntatlon.--
II Having commenced ms u pcdlnr or mechanic,
! he tries TO Danish it from his memory, aud
Il strives more anxiously To keep tins unknown
II TO his children, than he would do had he bcen
n Iorper or dcfauter. He would rather meet
an enemy than the friend Of his fnthcr, or OF
his own early days, and his ncar-sightednoss
prevents his recognizing any one VINO patron
II ised him in his former trade. Such are inc
| pitiful shifts. of mcanncss, of those whose on.
/ iv claims to distinction are their rlches ana
| their gorgeous display.
II A country life appears to be as iavoraoie 10
the moral healthtuluess OF man, as 1t Is 10 ms
| physica! well being: and its effects are equal
| Iliy manifested in the day.laborer as IN the
! Handed proprietor. 1t is this noble stock OF a
mercan frcemcn that will prevent our becom-
! ling puny degenerate race. IL Is AMIDST
| this host that we must look for that true wor-
| ship of liberty which il well nigh extinct 'n
! tho bosoms Of those who bow at the crowded
shrine Of Mammon.
4 Wherever human beings congrcgatc IN
m,.ses there will be found the workings OF
human corruption In the society OF cities
tho Influence of evil will ever be more appa-
ront than that of rood even if 1t be not great
or ms some have said. 1t is true, there Is
,,,nch that is high and holy among the dwell
lers in cities: but its effects are not senSloiy
fclt beyond its own immediate circle OF ac-
lion. The still small voice Of religion and
of reason is only heard in the hours OF retire
mcnt aud reflection. The hurry!ng crowd
| arc impeled BY their passions--those lnpet-
nous leaders, whose clamor ovcrpowers The
! claims of truth, integrity and virtue.
\ The multuudes that throng our thorough
/ fares, are divided into two common classes
those who are toing and grasping for wealth
and they who are ostentatousy spending u
Look Mt the money seeker; observe his care
worn anxious countenance. Follow hlm tc
his countiua room; see him clutch with nerv'
ous enperness. the sum he has just cameo VI
tho way oftrade, but not in the way o. up
rioht dealing. Look Mt him as he goes oVc'
paoc after page of his ledger, and sums up
column after column Of its figures,to es'''h",e
the profits of the last year. Newton .o".'
not have shown half the trembling an.'o'Pa'
&. ton. the eager delight as he was aoo.e eGI ~
c,udinr the calculation that was 10 estco .u:. "
his great discovery, that tins man eHn.on. q"
= his pen writes down the thousands 'ha' "a'e
been added to his former gains. =.
,rb;s cr,rino desire tor wealth is the fruit
Gnl source of fraud and forgery, and oi every
species m of gambling, from the wild sPecn'a.
= ,;on 70 the lottery and card-tablc. Tins lust
for uain-this master passion that deadens
+, every other omotion--has spread its bale'n
influence far aud wide throughout our cities
H Il is not confined to the avowed worshipper'
Of Mnmmon; il is not only amidst the none,
changers. in the outer court Of the temple
that it, corruption is; il has entered w''nII
the veil, and those who have openly ProIesse'
!, Ito have renounccd the world and its 'os'T'