Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-11-24

ume 90 like d monarch, forward TO the ocean,
there 10 blend with other streams from opposite
quarters Of the globe, aud form the great resoir.
yoir Of waters which binds together remote na.
lions, supplies the clouds with moisture, makes
our atmosphere fit for sustaining animal life, aud
sends dews and showers 10 enrich the earth and
feed every living thing.
Ii IS chiefly when the moral and the religious
feelings intervene, that .man's relations TO the
world become most oppressive and most crafty
ing. Abundance and pryalion seen as Gods
ordinations for mans good--inslruct while they
hll the mind with sentiments Of the hOliest kind.
How great, how ennobling, is the contemplation
of the universe, when all is seen in God; and
God is seen in all.
Then is there excited in the mind a feeling
which, more than any other, combines what is
pleasureable with what is elevaling; namely,
gratitude. This is The emotfon which an abun.
dant harvest spontaneously y awakens. In every
plain, on every hillside, along the winding banks
OF every stream, we behold gifts Of the divine
bounty, trace our relations with nanimate ma
ture, and hear claims on eur grateful alteration.
The birds and the caIle, in parlaking Of these
provisions, and uuerng the glad tones which
abundance prompts, Join in ninvitingman to praise
the common benefactor. The joy excited by
the bright promise ol an ample haryesIls enhan-
ced when we revert TO the privations and suffer
lngs that in times Of scarcity thousands have 10
endure. The time will come when there will
no longer be the possibility Of widely-extend-
ed famine. Dearlh Of food does by no means
depend exclusively on the abundance Of one
harvest. or the ample returns reaped by the az.
rcuIIure of the country. Moral causes here, as
IN every human interest, have very much 10 do
with our condition. In the earliest periods of
history, famine frequently devasled large por-
llons oi the earth. Yet the population was thin
and scattered, land was not wanting, haryesis in
general were copious. Dearlh of food arose
from mems improvidence. They lived for the
passing hour. Plenteous and unlimited in her
gllls is our mother earth. But if men will not
ask for more than they at The moment need; or.
u they squander what they have; or, if they
will not take and enjoy in one part what she pro-
duces in another--what but famine and distress
can be expected We are very far from having
reached the limit Of the eanh's productiveness.
How large portion of its surface is yet uncul.
tlVated! how imperfect much Of our actual cul-
llvation! In science, the progress of society has
been most rapid and most extensive. Have lis
resources no new power 10 unfold, in regard 10
The production Of food for man! Amid lis mul.
rudnous combinations, is there not one which
will directly minister TO the support of human
llo! We can send our words with the rapidity
OF lightning over the earth's surface. We dart
through the air more swiftly than the BIRDS
Shall we despair Of yet discovering means for
multiplying the supplies of human foodl Such
a secret will, we doubt not, be discovered.
But we've it actually in our possession, and
were we in consequence able 10 increase the
common stock hundred-loId, still should we
possess no absolute guaranty against want and
dearlh. The lands that are most prolific are not
the most free from famine. 1t is not abundance
so much us thrift that secures man from ind-
gence. Those who have most at their COM
mand are generally most in need. The rich
mans estate comes to the hammer, while the
cottage of the industrious laborer passes down
through successive generations. Where nature
or providence is most bountiful man is most
waslelui. The barbarian consumes as fast as he
gains. Whal is termed civilized society bears
some resemblance to savage life. Hitherto,
each country has first kept its own produce to it.
SELL than refused TO receive the produce of 9th.
or lands, and lastly, consumed every year what
the year has brought forth. 1t is partly 10 the
folly of governments, partly to the improvdence
OF individuals, that we owe dcurth, famine, and
pesliIence. When we think of the amazing
command over our external nature that man has
gained, and think also Of the resources Of NOR
al wisdom, we feel no less amazed than grieved
that such a calamity as the late dearlh in Ireland
is possible. Three millions Of men, women,
and children, in the nineteenth century reduced
for their daily subsistence 10 the dole of charity!
md in most prolific land, with abundance on
foreign shores waiting 10 be purchased and con-
sumed! An entire people living from hand to
mouth! the British islands with no provision
against the day of need! their barns empty, their
srorehouses exhausted! and that too when thou
sands and tens of thousands of hands were reu-
dy and willing TO labor in producing or sending
Them food!
The true wealth of people is what they save
from the present. Men must save if they would
be safe. Accumulation renders want imposs-
Gle. Accumulation promotes accumulation
Every individual ought to lay by, for the future
a portion oil his present gains. These exerlions
Of our moral nature must become, and they on
y can become, the guardians of our physical
life. He is not poor, he never will be poor,
who consumes ess than he obtain. Where there
is spare loaf, famine never comes. Individu.
nj thrift is national prosperity. Abundance van
shes before wasIefulness. Animpoverished must
be suffering people. Whether, in general,
The relation which the outer world bears to US
and collectively shall be one of hap
pness or Of suffering, depends mainly on our
character. Mental culture, wise forelhought,
generous affections, healthy frame--these
are the great sources of happiness; and were
these universal, pain would be rare, and famine
unknown.
Excellence is never granted TO man, but as
The reward of labor. II argues, indeed, no small