The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-04-15
AGRICULTURE.


food for intellectual enquiry. that subject
is agriculture, involving rs it Goes, the
most subtle operations and the deepest
mysteries Of nature. 1t is The mind which
constitutes the true dignity of cur nature
Without it, man would be mere ma
chine; with it, he becomes divinity -
II is for the agrculturallst to come to a
knowledge of the true character of their
great calling. and place it where il belongs,
among The liberal professions and among
the most exalted of sciences.
Agriculture is assuming its proper
place among the pursuits Of men. 1t
yields to none under heaven in usefulness,
in honesty, in intrinsic responsibility. 1t
is not mere physical effort of labor.--It
is scierce. 1t is branch of Intellectual
philosophy; and its Improvement and per-
feclior, if ever it is to reach perfection,
are as dependent upon the application and
inslrumentality of mind, intellectual per-
ception, intellectual skill, knowledge, /
will add gcnlus. as any other science
which is the subject Of MANS power or
attainment.
am aware that this is not the ligh. in
which it is usually regarded The pub
Inc sentiment in this respect, needs to be
reformed anG strengthened Justice has
not been done to This art Other arts and
sciences have outwjlted it, and kept i,
subjected. 1t is encouraging to believe,
that in these matters, public opinion is
undergoing a favorable change. | am
anxious to see agriculture oocu wing the
place among the humane, liberal, and in
lellec,ua arts, which belongs to il. All
else can prosper with it, but nothing long
without it. If it would reach and main
tain high station, it must prove itself
deserving. 1t may be advanced by accla
nation; but as the public judgment is
constantly becoming more enlightened
and severe, it cannot maintain its ascen-
dency unless it be worthy of it. The
laurels will be plucked from its brow, if
they are not the rewards of merit. 1t can
prove itself worthy of rank among the
liberal and enlightened arts. only by be-
coming itself liberal and enl ghlened.-
Study, enquiry, reading and knowledge,
are as much demanded for the advance
ment and perfection of agriculture, as
for that of any art science. We may ex-
pcct from science, enquiry, and the efforts
Of genius, the same advantages here as in
any other place or objects where they
may be applied.
Agriculture is usually regarded merely
as mode Of gaining subsistence, or of
aquirng property. As means Of sub
slsl"nce or acquisition, none is more sure
nor more honest. That which cultivation
causes the earth to yield, imperlshes no
one, but enrlches all Cultivators are
entitled to the benefits Of their produc-
lions, but governments, monarchicaI aud
Legislative, absorb them by currcncies,
prodigaliiy and other regulations. As an
instrument of acquiring wealth, it would
be idle to pretend that it can tic made the
means of sudden, rapid, or extraordinary
Accommodations. 1t cannot be compared
with the numbcrlcss means and inven-
tons, how honest or reputable will not
say, which exists in the community to
circumvenl the Industrious and participate
in. if not entirely to deprive them of their
earnings. But an industrious and skllful
agriculture is ordinarily sure of an honest
competence, and secure from many per-
lis to virtue and to possession, incident
to almost every other pccuniary pursuit.
This is however, low and narrow view
of this subject. TO regard the acqui>i-
silion and accumulation Of wealth as the
eEd of life, demonstrates the sordidncss
of the mind. Such man has yet to take
the first lesson in the philosophy of hui
man happiness. We are TO look upon
agricuturist, nomerely as means of
subsistence or accumulation, but as a
profession, pursuit, condition Of life
Every man is bound TO provide for him.
self without injury to Others, and to per-
form his part in providing for those who
are incapable of providing for themselves.
lie has the power of doing this, and the
power is The demonstration of the duty.
, 1t is not reasonable nor Just that any man
should subsst on the labors of other
men, unless he renders in some form, an
equivalent lor those labors. The rights
of men are equal, and their duties are
espondent Every man living in the
community should do what he can for the
benefit of that community. This duty
grows out of the natural sense of Justice
implanted in the heart, and is sanctioned
by the high authority of religion. Indi-
vdual interests or convenience, dictates
what is best for each individual to pursue.
and what is best for each is best for all.
Industry may be trusted for suificiency
of discernment to learn its own interests
as to the most profitable employment.
Sets of men, either Legislators or corpor-
ations, are not needed to control it for
their own or others benefit. The COM
munily is best served by a division Of la
Dor. There must be much physical and
much intellectual labor expended; acd to