The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-07
Agricultural Societies.

In free governments, next to the influence Of uni
yersally dfused education, cause has powerful
effect in perpetuating the institutions of liberty,
as bringing the sober, intelligent yeomanry OF the
country acquainted with each others views and
characters. The habits of intimacy formed, the
knowledge diffused, the information gained OF their
own independence and power, will always prevent
the domination of the military tyrant, or the arts
of the political demagogue. One of the most use
full of these "mass meetings" is that of agricutu-
raj societies In addition TO the agricultural knowl
edge collected and disseminated, in addition TO the
practical benefit gained by the farmer, they show
10 every dsorganizer, that the hands that planted
the tree Of liberty ready now to defend II while
IT shades them. Agricultural societies. unlike mill
tary spectacles, the amusements OF public days,
bring not together alone the idle, the young, and
the dissolute; they assemble the industrious, the
independent, the sober owner OF the SOIL. lie meets
his brother farmer hears his Improvements, details
his own, sees the bone and sinew Of the country
around him, and returns 10 his farm and his labor
with happier and easier heart, with the proud
consciousness Of his own independence and useful
ness, and the numerical and moral strength oil his
associates.
These interviews must likewise convince the far
mers of New England Of their superiority even to
those nations called the favored spots of the globe
They will learn from the traveller, how much more
heathful their climate, how much purer their NOR
ais how much freer their government, how much
more exalted and spiritual their religion. They
will often learn from the returning emigrant, that
smoother soils have their drought that milder eli
mates have their desolating diseases. They Will
learn, from the observer of men, that their bleak
and barren hills, their wintry blasts, their cold and
rocky fields, have made them hardy industrious
and virtuous. Let not our farmers, then, envy the
fertility Of southern clinics; the norious vapor
floats over the rice field the fatal exhaaton turks
around the evening perfume OF the orange bower;
the noisome pestilencc walks abroad at MONDAY,
amid the plantations Of sugar; and luxury, and
enervation, and vice breathe in every gale that
watts the fragrance of the spice groves
The farmer occupies the most useful, the most
important station in society IL is TO his exertions
chat the support the food the employment OF every
other rank is owing. To the surplus produce OF
the farmer owe the institution and the prcser-
walton Of distinct employments, the origin OF com
mcrce and manufacture, and the existence OF gov
eminent II is the surplus produce of the farmer
that sets the wheel Of the manufacturer in motion
that bids the sails OF commerce whiten every sea
that gives to religion her ministers, to education
her students that supports the busy population oi
the crowded city and that lends TO government it's
resources its energy, and its very being. Let the
farmer but raise only enough for his own support,
and the mighty heart which, by its beatings, com
muncates fife 10 every extremity, would be chilled,
and every member OF the great Oouy PohtO Oe Pai-
sled in a moment.
How satisfied ought, then, the farmer Of New
England to be with the useful and honorable rank
in society which he hods-owner Of the soil he cul-
tvates with no imperious landlord to demand
from him in rent the products OF his farm with no
established clergy 10 collect the tenth OF his earn
ings with no arbitrary government 70 force from
him what the aristocracy the hierarchy may
have left, and confne him If he dare TO murmur
but free as the air he breathes or the water that
fertilizes his fields.
How readily, then, will his employment lead the
farmer to chcerfuness and content" to peace
within and harmony 10 all around" How readily
will il lead him TO the service and worship Of thai
BeinV who has made him TO differ. How fervic
must be that servce-how exalted that worship
The devotion that he pays is offered on the altar
an humble heart, in the vast temple Of nature thai
.nrrounds him Every breeze that exhales IN,
moisture Of his fields; every brook that brings ia
treasures 10 his feet every shower that fertzes h
Swinging grass every sunbeam that falls upor
his ripening corn; the changing but useful viciss
tudes of the seasons; the verdure ol inc iores
around him, and tho everlasting hills that rails,
their heads TO heaven, must show him that the
great Creator is ever him, and must bring u
lis heart the obligations he owes him-Hdrtot
lOluant.