The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-06-19
Influence of Education.

s. Influence of Education. las
1t has sometimes been thought that
farmers IONS should be limited in their
Intellectual attainments-that a knowl-
edge Of reading, writing and arithme-
tick, is abundantly sufficient to carry
them successfully through their calling.
Now, so far as the mere matter Of mon
ey making is concerned, this may be
true. W. often see the most illiterate
persons amassing wealth. A very
scanty endowment of intelligence will
often suffice in the gainingo Of property,
provided the acquisition Of wealth be
the ruling motive. The veriest novice
in christendom may become as rich as
Croesus, if he but "set his heart upon
it," But does such IN individual know
the value OF the boarded treasure?-cer-
tainly not. He estimates its value ac-
cording to the amount of physical en-
joyment which i, may be made to pro-
cure, or,-stlll worse is a wealthy, mi
serly ignoramus, one OF the most pitia-
Bile objects on earth.
Such an unintelligent bundle Of hu-
mainly leaves the world unregretted,
clutching with a death grasp his gold
and silver. If then, the farmer would
connect rational enjoyment with the
acquisition of wealth, let him cultivate
his mind--let him minister 10 his intel
lectual, AS we'll as his physical manhood;
so that if it becomes his duty to select
a library, make improvements upon his
estate, or indulge in social intercourse
with his fellow man, his every act may
comport with a highly cultivated un-
derstanding. 1t is quite possible to u
mite in one and the same person, a pro-
found knowledge Of agricultural pur-
suits, and a practical and finished edu-
cation. One ofthe most thriving farm
ers with whom I am acquainted, is a
graduate ~ofcollege. Nor is he one Of
our "gentlemen farmers,"--hs guides
the ploughshare through his own soil
land abides by the popular sentiment,
"He that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive"
have heard it argued that education,
when pursued beyond a certain limit,
tends TO render the farmer effeminate
that studious habits unfit him for tho.
sturdier duties Of agriculture. But
Rome never found that a finished edu-
cation untitled her youths for husband
meh,--for the OBVIOUS reason too, that
they were rightly educated. And it is
worthy Of remark, that at the period Of
that nations greatest glory agriculture
attained high degree of perlection.-
Some of the most illustrious men Rome
ever produced, were farmers by pro-
fession. | grant it is too often the case
with us, that farmers IONS are sent to
an academy, and return home after an
absence of a few months, with a super
fetal smattering of education. and a
much larger share Of shiftlessness and
impudence. But this is owing to a
want Of suitable preparation, together
with the absence Of suitable restraint
while at school. There is perhaps no
act Of the parent more pernicious to the
young pupil, than that Of allowing him,
while at a distance from the paternal
roof, a free use of money. 1t is to him
the "root of all evil" By il,
while at school, many q promising
youth has been drawn into dissipation,
and returned to his doating parents
! gambling and tippling renegade. But
suppose a young man TO be first school,
ID in habits Of industry and economy
It home, suitably impressed with the
value of time, made to rely, in a good
upon his own efforts for what
lie may possess, taught as well as pos.
ible, the object and worth Of a liberal
Of study--he may then be sent
o some good institution Of learning,
With comparative safety. An estimate
f. necessary expenses, can be made
nd he required not TO sxceede the a.
1ount. Again, he should be held re-
ponsible for the Improvement ofhis
and be made to know that his
in study would be critical
Y looked to. Let him be subject to
UGH influences and regulations, and hs
ray bs expected Ia become the better
repaired for the occupation Of rural
fe. On his return to the paternal
lansion, with a mind stored with phi
,sophical truths, and judgment inn
roved, every familiar objectuponwhich