Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-07-05
XXXIV.

draw off the labor Of our people from prpduc..
tive agriculture to other pursuits. The Florida
war-the great number of public works-the
increase of manufac ories-the opening of iron
and coal mines-the cultivation Of the mul.
berry tree--and again, the spirit of specpla-
ton which has tempted thousands to qdss OF
to avoid the plough and the sickle, im2aien:
for larger and quicker returns--have all ten
ded to diminish production, and agument the
price of provision for employ themselves as
they may-whether travelling, or working
upon rail roads or steam boats-a hether
working in factory or de!ving in a mine,
hunger must be satisfed-men must eat. at
least three ines day, and genera ly in our
country twice day heartily of meat and bread.
Of the former article no population IN the
world consumes halt as much, and ous would
do in all respects quite as well, if it devoured
less. But the most prolific source of constant
demand for the provisions. which are the fruits
of agricultural labor. and one whc7 must en-.
sure an adequate reward to the industry and
capital of the husbandman, is he great in.
crease Of city population. The ejaculation Is.
that London, were it not for it's accessIons rom
points beyond its limits, would not augment
in numbers, but perhaps diminish. Ithas not
in itself and of itself the capacity to groto, and
his results not from any insalubrIty Of climate
but from the want of the means and the ccm-
forts whlch in our country swells SO rapidly
the population of our towns. Take Baltimore
for example Children born here, are as apt to
live nearly as if born in Calvert, or Charles,
or St. Mary's-and while the producers OF
provisions IN these counties have rather dl-
minished by the last census, look at the inn
mense growth of the population of Baltimore
and of all our towns! and then observe, OF
people who are bred in cities, and Of parents
engaged in all other pursuits, how teD there
are that abandon them, and take to the "dull
pursuits" of rural ife--while, of those who
are born in the country, what large proper.
ton eschew the plough, the hoe and the axe.
to swell the aggregate of all other pursuits,
and of city population-some to "hang on the
rear of the bar"-some to y Wield the pestle, and
some to mop the counter! glance at the
statistical tables would shew if we had time
for it, how rapid is the increase of villages and
towns CON- .ared with that of the country
the aggregation being made up BY accessions
from the country, as well as by the natural
healthy and rapid growth OF the cities them
selveo.
We have adyerted to these points TO let the
farmer see that the foundations of his prosperI-
ty are deeply rooted and widely spread. The
value of bis staples is not depending on any
tempo,a ary monopoly. He wants but industry
and economy to thrive and prosper. II his
life is not full Of excitement-elatedt to-day and
depressed Tomorrow that of the merchant
and professional man, by circumstances be-
yond his control, yet it is healthful, honorable
and independent. II he share not in the
tEiumphs and the spo'ls Of the pastisan, he s y
heartless ingratitude of those who make .
trade of politics. Let him then hold on to
his calling. 1t will rise in public estimation
with the increase of Knowledge. and cannot
fail to be profitable in our country for ages to
come. "Man made the town, but God made
the country" May he bless and prosper it.
American Farmer.