Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1845-08-23

CLAIMS OF AGRICULTURE UPON THE Bust.
NESS OF THE coUNrRY,-ln the first num-
berof the "Farmer'S Library" edi.ed by
John S. Skinner, Esq, among other inter
esiing and useful matter, is an article
with the above caption. The writer in
comparing the 1uctuating prospects Of
the merchant and manufacturer with
those of the farmer says:-BaiOn Rouge
Gazette.
Singular as it 'a2y seem 10 the unre-
hecting, the statistics Of our cities and
towns will prove that the operations Of
the trading world are subject TO more Ihan
lottery-like uncertainty, for whereas, in
lotteries there may be not "two blanks to
a PRICE," there is still larger pro
portion Of disaster resulting to persons
whose fortunes are embarked in trade.
I he history Of the trading community,
IN almost any given district, conclusive
y proves the startling fact that full three
quarters faye even a larger portlon) OF
merchants and manufactures are driven
from their stores with shattered fortunes
and mind depressed; aggravated by the
reflection that ia perly they had ne
elected to make suitable provision of ag-
ricultural property and knowledge, which
would have proved comfortable home
stead, at least, for their declining years
thus guarded their families from being
thrown upon the cold charity OF the world,
or rom having recourse Tor wrelched
and precarious livelihood to some reyol
ting employment.
Though farming holds out no decoying
hopes of large fortunes to be speedily re
alsed, it furnishes, if pursued with econ
omy and industry, in the first place Ger
tain shelter, with unfailing means Of com,
fort and independence TO those who apply
their intellect as well as diligence in cul
tivating the soil; and in what branch OF
industry can intellect be more advantage
ousy employed for promoting indIvidu a
happiness and national welfare?
LIE. those who have not carefully re-
Elected on these matters, now malurely
con sderthe statements, made BY Gen.
Dearborn, in a lecture delivered before
The Massachusetts Agricultural Society.
While contrasting Agrlcul tural and mer
camille pursuits he remarks that men
should instil into their sons the love OIL
agriculture. He declared that he would
pree: cottage in the country, viii five
acres of ground, TO the most splendid
palace that could be erected in the ci y, il
he must depend upon the success of mer-
TO support H. He then went on
to say, SHAT he had been some fifteen
years iU the custom house, in Boston, he
was surprised to find at the close OF his
term, an entire new set of men doing bus.
mess there. This induced him to look
into the subject, and he ascer,ained after
much time and research, that ninety seven
out of every hundred who obtained their
livelihood by buying and selling, failed or
died insovent He then submitted his
caicu alton to an old merchant of great
experience, who confirmed it in every
particular.
"The statement made by Gen. Dear
born, appeared TO me So startling, so ap.
paIllng," says an intelligent observer,
that was induced TO examine it wit
much care, and regret TO say found ii
rue. then called upon friend Of mine,
/ great antiquarian, gentleman always
referred TO in all matters relating to the
lily of Boston, and he told me that in the
year 1900, he took memorandum of
'very person on Long Wharf, and thu.
n 1910 (Which is as long as a merchant
continues baslness) only five in one hun
lred remained. They had all in that /
line either failed or died destitute OF prop
'r;y, then went TO very lntelIigentdi- t
ector of the Union Bank "a very strong y
'ank) he Told me that the bank comlnen- !
ed business, in 1898 that there was but Il
ne other bank in Boston, the Massachu- {
slts bank, and that the bank ives SO over "
IN with BUSINESS, that the clerks and
ificers were obliged TO work until IL o. III
lock at night, and all Sundays; that they a
ad OCCASION to look back year or TWO v
go, and they found that of the one thou /
and accounts which were open with them
n starting, only six remained; they had IN
he forty years either all failed or died g
esllue Of property. Houses whose pa 9
er passed without question had all gone v