The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-03-01

by the precep!s of religion, and elevated
by the relinemenis of science, partaking
of the fruits of his own industry, with
the proud consciousness that he eats not
the bread of dleness and fraud: that his
gains are not wet with the tears Of misfor-
tune nor wrung from his fellow by the
devices of averice or eXtortion his joys
heightened, his sorrows alleviated, and
his heart rectiied by the cheering voice
and heaven born influences of womaa E!
Well may he sit down under his own
vine and fg-tree without fear Of molesta,
ton, and his nightly repose be more quiet
than that of the stately monarch Of the east
upon his down OF cygnets,o the voluptu-
Gus Sybarte upon his bed OF roses.
1.-The prosperity of those engaged in
agricultural pursuits, depends not alone
upon the cuccessful cultivation of the field,
and the judIcious management of the
farm. These, TO be sure, are of primary
importance, and indispensable 10 the sue
cess Of the undertaking; but there are
other subjects which deeply concern their
interests and well being, without knowl-
edge of which they must fail 10 enjoy the
high station they were destined TO occupy
in the scale of social and political be-
ing.
1.-The farmer cannot gather grapes Of
,horns. nor figs Of lhislles nor can he
reap the fruit Of knowledge without lis
care and cultivation. The vas, numerical
ma orlty Of those engaged in this pursuit.
over all others, shows that our moral, So
cIal, and political condition. is in their
keeping. |, proves the high privileges
they enjoy, as well as the responsibility
which rests upon them-privileges which
they cannot duly estimate, and response
billties which they cannot properly dis
charge without the acquisition Of general
knowledge, and a high cultivation of the
moral powers and faculties. With these,
they may raise and sustain their own
standard of intelligence, and control for
good or for evil, the desires of govern
ment
1.-THE mind Of the professional man is
engaged with his particular calling, striv-
ing to become eminent and useful, s,rug-
Cling perchance, with rivalry on either
hand, realizing how hard il is TO climb
the steep where fame's proud temple
shines from a(ar.' His mental vision is
fixed upon single object. His mind is
accustomed TO run in grooves fashioned
by his pursuit-all else pals upon the
sense, and he too often lives and dies the
mere creature of his profession. The
merchant is buried in commerce, and the
mechanic is absorbed with inventions and
provemenls. But to the farmer, devo-
ted to no theories, and welded to no sys-
tens, with the ample volume of nature
constantly before him; unfolding her
mysteries and spreading out her allure
ments the deep fountains of knowledge
atands open, and all combines TO inspire
him with love of the sublime and beau
,lul. The glory Of the morning sunbeam,
emblem of hope and gladness--,he flow
ers which smile around him, and the re-
joicings of animate nature, tend to Gil
him with sentiments of alteration, and ele-
vate and refine his heart.
at is fa!lacy no less mischievous
than idle, TO suppose that there is no
learning but the learning of the schools,
or that, in the phrase of The day, getting
an education necessarily requires the in
divdual TO abandon, for the time being,
all other employmen,s, and devote him
self alternately to study and Incidence.
The pursuit of the farmer, with the pro-
secution of science and the acquisition OF
knowledge and Of that knowledge, too,
which will enable him TO discharge all the
relations of life with as much prudence,
unders,anding,and fidelity, as him whose
only pursuit is study, and which ming
ling lis streams with the mighty curren,
Of human affairs, will teach industry,
temperance, and trugall!y, and carry re-
finement and intelligence to the lowlies,
cabin of the plains, and the remoiest cot.
,age of the mountains.
1.-The moral subimiiy Of the scene is
equalled only by The magnitude of ouI
country, the diversity of her interests,
and the vaslness Of her population. When
the minds eye tires with contemplating
the untold productions and resources al
the Empire State, with her fertile soil
her broad rivers and inlaal seas-her ex
tensive ,crritory-her magnificent i'm
provements-her boundless commerce
and her institutions of religion, charity
and learning; let it glance for moment
for more extensive view, at heinfanl 81
ants of The west. The wild horse Of The prai
RE now draws The plough over soil where