Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-03-18

abilities, in any one of them, than even the law,
which is called the direct road TO political dstinc-
tion. Agriculture is the calling in which there is
the least temptation TO dishonesty--in which the
public and individual Interests most in,medi-
ately connected. 1t is pursuit from Which an
avenue is open to the highest Hbnois Of the State,
aad there is scarce any one 10 whom nature has
been so unkind that he may not find in il happy
and honorable subsistence.
In what occupation does the well disposed mind
find more abundant opportunities for the acquisi-
tion of knowledge "Nature's infinite book o,
secrecy" is open the agriculturalst from his
equations of every day. His daily business is IA
observe the growth OF the plants, THEN nutritive
and medicinal properties, and the whole science oil
their improvement by cultivation--to examine the
qualities and geological structure Of tho soils, &c
admire natural scenery, ga :sssae pleasure ia The
heathinl and innocent recreations of rural life
The farmer, trader and mechanic, have all the
means, too. of acquiring the social reinements sc
far as justified by good sense, and as far as CON-
mendable il, religious and moral community
And if virtue thfives best land who doubt il >
in an industrious and modest fortune, they have
the means of excelling in that which, most of all
things, constitutes human responsibility.
But we must remember that a native of this
country is not always farmer, not always me-
chanic, but has duties 10 perform as a citizen-as
social being, legislator and executor of the laws,
and has the dignity aud reputation 10 sustain the
class to which he belongs. Experience has proved
that the preservation of free State is based upo.
the general, and not individual intelligence; and
that the literary and political glory of country
are not co-existent. Shakspeares, Millions, and
Newtons, may rise up in any country with no more
liberty than was common ia the days of Elizabeth
or Cromwell. Roman liberty was in lis best days
in the modest and practical age of Fabricius: the
introduction of elegant learning was under Cesar.
In the classical age of Augustus the voice of Free
dom was no more heard upon the earth. When
the Megarians wished to punish colony for n re-
volt, and retain them in slavery, they forbade the
education of the children. "To keep people in
slavery, (says Machiavell) you must lock up from
them the knowledge that is necessary the under
standing of their rights, and the administration OF
the State. Tyranny has no dread of the multitude,
If il be but corrupt, aud unenlightened, and uned-
ucated. The wolf cares NOT how many sheep are
in the fiock."
The youth Of the mechanical and agricultural
classes, who are endowed with better talents, and
have attained to some learning above others, seem
to think that there is obligation them 10 leave
their caste, and rush headlong upon some one OF
the learned professions. 1t is frem this cause that
the more useful trades are drained Of their talents,
and the others are overstocked nnd}fncd with I'M
successful adventurers. This is al folly 20 be de-
plored. They who would be free, must have the
knowledge and ability TO look after their own lib
| critics. 1t is we'll TO remember that monopoly o.
of wealth and titles is not more dangerous in Q
free State, than a monopoly of learning; that su
perior intelligence, in whatever class it is found
will govern, aud ignorance viii obey. II is tn,
order Of nature, the fiat of Omnipo.ence. 1t j,
the principle by which man rules the brutes
and God himself rules over man.