The Arkansas banner., 1843-10-21
AGRICULTURAL.
From ihe Albany Caltirator. SEVEN REASONS
WHY AGRICULTURE SHOULD RECEIVE THE
 PATRONAGE OF GOVERNMENT.

PATRONAGE OF GOVERNMENT.
 l. .4grieulture feeds al. Were agricul- tare to be neglected, population would dimin- ish, kecause the necessaries of life would De wanting. Did 1t not supply more than Is necessary for i:s own wants, every other art would not only De at a stand. but every SCI ence. and every kind of mental improvement would be neglected. Manufactures and com raerce originally owed their existence to agriculture. Agriculture furnishes, ill grea measure. raw materials and subsistence fol the one. and commodities for barter and ex- change for the other. In proportion as these raw materials and commodities are multiplied by the intelligence and industry of the farm CT. and the consequent improvement of the soiI, in the same proportion are manufactures and commerce beneiited--not only in being furnished with more abundant supplies, bu in the increased demand for their fabrics and merchandise The more agriculture pro- iuces, the more she sells-the moro she buys; and the business and comfort Of so- ciciy are mainly influenced and controlled by the results of her abors,
 2 .4gricukurc, directly or indirectly, rays the burthens of our tares and our tolls, which support the government, and sustain our internal improvements; and the more abundant her means, the greater will be her contributions The farmer who manages his business ignorantly and slothfully, and who produces from it only just enough for the subsistence of his family, pays no tolls on the transit of his produce, and but small tax upon the nominal value of his lands l.. I. I try, by the hope of distinction and reward, so that he triples the products of his labor, the value of his lands IS increased in a cor responding ratio, his comforts are multiplied, his mind disenthralled, and two thirds of his products go to augment the business and tolls of our canals and roads. If such change in the situation of one farm, would add one hundred dollars to the wealth, and one dollar to the tolls of the State, what an astonishing aggregate would he produced, both in capital and in revenue, by similar improvement upon 250,000 farms, the assum- cd number in the state. The capital would be augmented two millions, and the revenue two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum.
 3. .fgricu1iare IS Me principal source of OUT ,rcalh. It furnishes more productive la hor, the legitimate source of wealth, than all the other employments ill society combined. The more 1t is enlightened by science, the more abundant will be its products the more elevated its character, tho stronger indictments to pursue 1t. Whatever, therefore, tends to enlighten and increase its labors, must pro- profoundly increase the wealth of the State. opd f1rt tho f,,1 of the other arts, and the sciences, now iudis- pensable to their profitable management.
 4. .agricalturists are tte guardians of our freedom. They are the fountains of po- litical power. If the fountains become im- pure, the stream will be deiiled. If the ag- ricnlturist is sloihful, and ignorant, and poor, he will be spiritless, dependent, and seryile. If he is enlightened, industrious, and in pros porous circumstances, he will be independent in mind, jealous of his rights, and watchful for the public good. His welfare is identified with the welfare of the State He is virtually fixed to the soil, and has, therefore, para mount interest, as well as giant power, to defend 1t from the encroachments of foreign or domestic foes. If his country suffers, he must suffer; if she prospers, he too may ex- pect to prosper. Hence whatever tends to improve the intellectual condition of the farmer, and to elevate him above venal tempt ation, essentially contributes to the good order of society at large, and to the perpetuity of our country's freedom.
 ,. Agriculture IS the parcn, of physical and moral health to tie S,ate,-it is the salt which preserves us from moral corruption. N of only ara hor 1ah,r, ,eo3,,1 , n J,, ing to the wants, and in dispensing the bless ings of abundance to others, but she is con stantly exercising salutary influence upon the moral and physical health of the State, and in perpetuating the republican habits and good order of society. While rural labor is the great source of physical health and con stitutional vigor to our population, 1t inter- poses the most formidable barrier to the de- moralizing influence of luxury and vice. We seldom hear of civil connexions. of crimes. or of hereditary disease. among those who are steadily engaged in the labors of agricu- tlire. Men who are satisfied with the certain and abundant resources of their own labor, and their own farms, are not willing to eop- araize their enjoyments, by promoting popu- lar tumult, or tolerating crime The more we promote the influence of the agricultu- rist, by developing the powers of his mind, and elevating his moral views, the more we shall promote the virtue and happiness of society.
 6. Legisiatirc patronage WILL increase t.eprodmcts cf agriculture, and consequently advance the prosperity, promote the moral improvement, and elevate the character of the State. Look at the disparity, in the products and profits of labor, on the wen-managed and ill-nanaged farm-or in the well-culti- vated and ili-culuvated district. The one, we say, netts profit of twelve or fourteen per cent per annum, on the nominal value of the land,-the other but two or three per cent.-aud abundant examples may be fur nished of both extremes. The rural improve msnt of a country indicates, pretty correctly, besides, the intellectual and moral condition of Its population. Now, if by raising the standard of public instruction, by holding out rewards to successful competitors in improve meat, and by establishing schools of practi- cai and scientific arric,,lt,.o III