Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-02-20

heavens, and Furnishes men for the neglect OF
duty, in the long run our liberties will perish by
misguided ignorance. If we do not make the
education of the rising generation an affair OF
State, our descendants, at no distant day, will,
in the first place, be plundered Of their property,
through the forms Of the ballot box, at the in
stlgaion Of agrarian demagogues; and next, they
will take shelter in the arms of despotism, as a
protection from the violence of mobs. 1t is
difficult TO convince some men that the ntelli-
gence Of the people ought to be considered pub
lie property, and the only shield of our posses
sions. They cannot readily see the deep interest
they have in the education of other peoples
children They do not reflect that they have
the same interest in the virtue and intelligence
of the voters, upon whose voice at the ballot box
depends the existence Of the laws and consttu.
ton that they have in the virtue and intelligence
of tho Judge who has to decide upon their title to
their houses and lands, in court
The lesson taught us by The fathers of our in.
stitutions, that these institutions have no other
foundation than the virtue and intelligence of
the people, is not an idle saying. There is no
lodging the question. The instruction of
youth must be made an affair of State, or the
American experiment will turn out TO be splen.
did failure.
But again, we do not desire fields waving with
rich products for the mere qualification OF animal
appetite. The end and aim Of all the efforts OF
man is happiness; and happiness is certainly
more connected with the good cultivation Of the
earth than any other occupation. Man, as he
came from the hands Of his Maker, was placed
in garden adorned with every fruit and flower,
because these, above all created things, were the
elements .ofsthat pleasure most agreeable to
pure mind. And now, where are the retreats Of
happiness in this world comparable to well ar.
ranged houses, clean yards, and we'll cultivated
gardens? Look abroad, and wherever you see
Stacking fences, bury fields, ducks and geese
in the springs, hogs roofing up to the doors, and
cattle dcpredating upon corn hid in the weeds,
you will find the men in grog.shops, and the
children without school.houses, and their mothers
in misery. On the contrary, wherever you see
highly cultivated fields, yard Of green sod,
orchards or choce fruit, and gardens Of select
flowers, yon will find Intelligence, virtue and
happiness.
We therefore regard agriculture, not only as
the great primary interest Of man, in relation to
the supply Of his wants, but as the source Of his
most elevated pleasures, and as the only sure
basis Of his liberties and cultivation.
| have satisfied myself by much observation
and reflection, Of the truth of the following
statements
1. That at least twothrds of our arabic land
is annually becoming poorer by unskilful hus.
bandry
2. That it is practicable to make our lands
annually more fertile.
3. That both our arabic and pasture lands
can be made to produce twice as much as they
have done.
4. That, at inconsiderable expense, the cattle
in our State can be made worth annually up.
wards Of 100000 more than they have been
5. That with the same amount Of food our
swine may be annually advanced in price
$4,000 900.
6. That there is yet in use among Us, in
large part of The State, very imperfect agricul.
tural implements.
Z. That two men, with the best ploughs, can
perform more work in day, than three with
those in common use.
s. There having been no analysis Of our soils,
there is consequently general Ignorance as to
the best modes of enrichjng our lands by mixing
different soils together
If these views approximate the truth, it is evi.
dent there is a wide field for the action of gov
eminent and societies.
What has been done within few years,
proves what is yet in our power
The tax value Of the lands of the State is
1927, 1872, 500. No man OF observation will
doubt that at leas: half Of this value has been
added in the last twenty years by improvement
in agriculture Enquire of the citizens Of Shel.
by, Henry and Montgomery, and they will tell
you that the value Of their lands has been doubled
in the last twenty years, by the example Of
few skill(ul farmers settling among them.
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