The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-12-06
For the Athens Post.
FARMERS SONS, AND FARMERS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

FARMERS SUNS, AMI ANN EhH
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
FARMERS: | have word TO say TO you
Hear me, for my cause is good. How
shamefully have we neglected the one thing
needM-THE EDUCATION OF OUR SONS
How much is it to be regretted that we
have so shamefully omitted, while the
means have been at the command OF many
of US, 10 make our sons better Farmers
better chris,ians-bet'er cillZens-beItel
politicIans-belter statesmen, and better
Railroad men. Have any of us prepared
our sons TO understand Farming as a sci-
ence? By no means. Have we prepared
them to aid in the making of laws for the
government, of the people? Who is i, that
constitute the law makers IN your Legis-
alive Halls? What portion are farmers?
| Who are the prime movers. advocates and
makers of all the important measures in
the Congress of the United Slates-are any
of them farmers2 Who constitute the
Cabinet OF the President of the United
Slales-are any of them farmers? No, not
one. Who do you elec, to govern the
States? Is it not rare that you ever elect
one Of your own vocation farmer! In
fact, who among the numerous officers that
it requires to govern the world, are of your
own highly honorable occupa,ion-farmers?
Whose fault is il, and why is it 500 1t is
our own. We do not educate our sons,
and thereby prepare them for the perform
ance Of those highly important dulies.-
Who feels mostly the effect of nearly all
The measures adopted by the various Off
GERS appointed to govern, make and admin
isle. the laws of the land? We do-lhe
farmers. Who ought TO critically and min.
ulely investigate all the act,ngs and do.
ings of those making and administering the
laws? The farmer. Is he capable of do.
ing SO? But to a very limeted extent
Why? Because we have not prepared HIM
to do sO-we have not educated him. Will
all these important facts staring us boldly
in the face, how poorly have we prepared,
and now preparing our sons 10 perform and
10 participate in the performance OF the
many highly important duties that will &C.
volve upon them in the course of their
lives.
"Farmers may talk and write about the
elevation of their class for centuries to
come, as they hive done in yenrs that are
past, but they may rely upun it. that cdu'
cation is the only true road to that which
they may desire; until they are ready to
provide the means Of regular instruction in
the nrt of agriculture fox their sons, men
tai instruction as well as physical, they
will always he compelled. as heretofore. to
submit, to the lead Of -Manufnc-
'urers. Literary men, and members OF 9th.
err professions. in which special education
is considered absolutely necessary to dis
success"
A most striking and g'ariag fact-und
one that | am almost ashamed to announce
to you-qui'o recently come under my Obs
servatlon- showing our great neglect, and
crmina lna,,en,iOn 10 the cdcuatlUn OF oar
s"n-. regret exceedingly that have mis-.
laid The Olli,lal statement, or | could give
it to you in that form. In the Convention
recently called IN the State Of Virginia, to
amend her Constitution, the agricultural
cnss is largely in the minority. Ia not
this shame? Is 1t not an outrage TINT We
ourselves, have committed, with all the
lights aud means of education before us?-
The same fact. too, nay have existed in our
own Cunveni;on-callcd in tho year IS,
for the amendment Of the Constitution Of
our Stale. | was not then citiz"n, cUnse.
luen'ly have no recollection Of the past,
nor have now the means 10 ascertain them.
Was not this un inexcusab'e outrage upon
The intelligence of Vlrgini,? The mother
Of SO many distinguished Statesmen. and
who ough, to be the pioneer State on The
subject of education. Will not we. chv.
llric Tenncsseans, always first in the tent.
cd fieId-wc farmers, suy-pIace our sons
in more elevated situotion-will We not
hereafter educate them 81 that they may b.
first IN the cabinet as well as in the fic,d!-
Let it no longer be sale that farmers sons
are only fit TO plough and sow-to be mere
hewers Of wood and draw Of water,"-
mere drudges. Let us spurn The imp";a ton.
Let us show 10 the world by future conduct.
hat Tho occupa,i lion Of the farmer is favora.
bic to the pursuit Of knowledge-iavorable
10 intellectual health, activity and vigor of
mind.
Farmers let me entreat you-let me beg
IF you,--do not lie, the very favorable OPP
,or,uni'y that nov presents itself TO you,
pass unimproved. We have the means Of
our own doors to do what have so ardent>
y been endeavoring to impress upon you
he education of our sons. Let US not de.
sy-let us not hesitate for one moment
low is the time.