Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-23

would Indicate But the interchange OF COM
modities between the two classes, is by no
means equal, nor is it obedient to those laws
of trade. The farmer holds the subsistence.
and consequently the property OF bis civilized
fellow-men in his power; and this power he
will exercise when circumstances permit, ac-
cording 10 the sentiments which the possession
of power inspires; according to the preladices
of his class. to the appetite of monopoy-and
not according TO the wages OF labor, and the
law of supply and demand. The monopoly
of the necessaries of life which agriculture
confers, has produced some OF the most stri-
king social and political revolutions IN hlsto-
ry. 1t enabled Jacob 10 extort from Esau,
who was hunter, his birthright, for mess
of pottage. But Jacob himself, and his faml-
ly, preferred the lighter labors of shepherd life
to tillage, end hence from scarcity OF corn,
became dependent on the granares of Egypt,
and fell into bondage. In wars between ag-
ricultura and commercial nations, the former
have generally conquered. Athens was over
come by Sparta-Greece by Macedonian
thage by Rome-events which indicate the
superior resources of the conquerors, more
than their bravery. In England whose com.
merce has been enriched by the monopoly OF
| the trade of colonies in every cline, and whose
manufactures have been expanded by the most
siupendous inventions of genius, agriculture
still maintains pre-eminence in wealth and po-
litical power, although it comprehends only a.
bout one-third of the population. The agrl-
culture of the South produces greater varle-
ty and abundance of the staple articles OF hui
man comfort and subsistence than that OF any
other region. Besides such breadstutts and
provisions as the North affords, the South has
by the superior genius and energy OF her peo-
pie acquired almost monopoly OF the cotton
culture. The South thus controls an extraor-
binary proportion of that food and clothing
which the world consumes, and hence makes
corresponding progress in wealth.
| Whilst agricultural life is so much more
productive than other avocatlons, It IS vastly
less expensive or consuming. Almost all
other pursuits resort TO towns and cities,
where the style of living is costly and extra
VACANT. 1t is very rare to find farmers or
planters residing in palaces OF marble or gran
tie. 1t is seldom that even public buildings
in the country are constructed of such materl-
ais. But in cities they are not unusual IN
private dwellings with those who have the
means-whilst the great number of public
buildings, churches, banks, offices, &C., are OF
corresponding magnificence. The style OF
building affords fair criterion of the other
elements of expense in city life, diet, clothing
and amusements. 1t is we'll known that In
the larger cities, the expenditure of the veal
thy class of families amounts to some eight or
ten thousand dollars year. Now among the
planters of the South of equal wealth. In the
country, it would be hard 10 find mere do
mestic expenditure of such an amount; per-
haps rarely more than half of it, In the coun-
try the inducement to build such habltatlons
is not so great There are not so many 10 ad-
mire and to praise in rural neghborhood as
throng the streets and avenues of large city.
Nor is there to be found in the country the
over-grown millionaire to set the example, and
to fire the pride and vanity of his poorer
neighbors, their wives and daughters, with a
desire to emulate and initiate.
In city the temptation 10 indulgence is in
cessant, because almost every object OF desire
is in market, and desire itself is inhamed not
only by opportunity but by rivalry.
1t is this great display of wealth and luxu-
ry in cities, which has caused the popular er-
ror that they are the peculiar abodes of wealth
and prosperity; and that the States where
they abound are more fourishing than others
The world is great believer in appearances.
But it is curious that the very circumstances
which have given to cities character fol
riches, should be the causes of that poverty,
whose actual existence has been proven. Fol
the practice of extravaganza is not confined tc
the rich; but extends 10 every class OF city
life. For in every class there are rivals strug-
Cling with each other to make the best APP
pearance, and the distinctions OF class are Sc
indstnct as to make each one ambitious Of
equalling its immediate superior. In word
the dominion of fashion is far more despotic
and oppressive in city than in country life
Even the poor sempstress, who bends over
her work during the tedious hours of day, and
far into the night, to earn meagre subsls.
tence, until dimness gathers in her eye, and
distortion fastens on her form, even she pays
from her scanty earnings the tribute exacteC
> by fashion, and arrays herself in a costume as
conformable to the prevailing mode as hel
means can make it, But in the country, where
people do not live under each others ohserva.
ton and criticism continually. it is otherwise
It is only when visiting or visited that the &C.
casion of display occurs, and the annual eX'
,. penditure is regulated accordingly. 1t IS true
that the average wealth of the inhabitants Of
cities is generally greater than that of the res
of the people in the State. and almost equal:
that of prosperous agricultural States. Blu
> this wealth is not the product of city employ
ments. 1t results from the influx into the city
of persons who have become rich in the coun
Try. and who resort 10 the cities because the.
! cannot carry on agricultural operations exten
i sively in the country in free States This re
: suits from the high price of agricultural labo
+ in the free States, and its irregularity. An IN
= dustrious laborer on farm, soon acquires {
u nough money to buy small tract of publ
> land, and emigrates TO it. Hence a farme
y who acquires some wealth in these States, an
{ finds it difficult to extend his operations in tn
l. country, resorts 10 commercial operations, an
u settles in town. Even those who wculd pre-
: fer remaining in the county. and yet desire t
. enjoy their fortunes in social intercourse, FIN
!. it difficult to spend their leisure pleasantly i
c the neighborhood, from the want of associate
of equal means. the great mass being the oe
i cupants of small farms, without servants. an
therefore lack the means of performing tn
:. rites OF hospitality, without arrangement G
y their domestic systems. The want then OF SC
: ciety in the country, the opportunity of in
= yesting largely in towns, the chances OF ac
10 quiring great fortunes by speculation, and tn
y facilities for gratifying our various appetite
10 which wealth affords in cities. all conspire
5 divert the wealth of the country TO the towr
in free States. Even in Boston, for instance
a. it appears by recent enumeration that nearl
&c two-thrds of the inhabitants were not born
&c the city nearly one.half are natives OF III