The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-02-27


all invite the husbandman to observation, ana
gently pursuade, or more powerfully urge HIM
to contemplate, through them, the great Author
and Ruler of all.
knowledge, both in acquisition and posses
sion, contributes to happiness. The farmer mas
matiy leisure hours, during the stormy days OF
season when he cannot work, and the long even
ings of winter.
These, if he has taste for reading he may be-
guile in an innocent, Useful and happy way at
home; while others, dependant upon foreign re-
sources, repair to places of public amusement or
dissipation, seeking object that constantly
eludcs their grasp, or, if momentarily dctaineo'
usually turns to emptiness or pain. There IS no
pastimc that in variety compares with the pursuit
of knowledge. While the objects ofinqulry are
endless in number, each attainment is attended
with new satisfaction and delight. A taste tor
literature or scientific inquiry once acquired,
usually becomes confirmed into a habit tor lie,
and forms an unfailing source of pleasure IN Ola
age The growing infrmitics incident to that
period of life, bring many days OF confinement
and WEAKNESS, which may be greatly relieved by
reading, or, if that be impractcable, by hearing
others read. This arises naturally and neces,
sarily from the very structure otthe intellectual
. element.
ga degree of surprise and astonishmcnt which
cannot consist with the perfect comprehension OF
whatever falls under cognizance, appears to
be one Ingredient in the highest degree OF tell
city of which a rational being is susceptible
There is principle in the constitution OF our
nature, which renders us dissatisfied with what
we thoroughly understand in all Its parts
When there is nothing more to be discovered,
from that moment it begins to pail upon us, and
we must pass to something which will give scope
to the activities of the human mind.
) There is no amusement so cheap as that arls-
; ing from the pursuit of knowledge. A trifing
| sum set part annually, will purchase the ad-
vantages afforded by our numerous district, VII
lagc, and other Libraries, and our able agricultu-
raj, scientific and literary periodicals.
There are no circumstances so adverse as to pre-
clude our attaining knowledge, if we resolutcly
strive for it. One is forcibly struck with the trnth
=, of this remark, in thinking over the long list OF
D worthless who under every disadvantage, and IN
e addition to carrying forward some practical cal
ling, have raised themselves to cminencc III the
empire of knowledge. In them, VIC ind reall-
zed that most desirable, cut quite too rare UNION,
of studious habits with practical business
Their example is most valuable too, as illustrat-
ing the fact that a taste for knowledge Will, OF
itself, do great deal towards its acquisition; and
that where this taste exists, it usually surnlcntS
all diffic ultes and bursts all barriers BE it fur
Their remembered for our encouragement, tina
the kind Of knowledge which gives strength
Il does not so much depend upon the reading o
/ manv books; as upon the iudicious selection ant
IS careful reading of few, accompanied by the
l, strenuous cxcrtions Of our own powers o1 renee
u ton. In this way, oil our powers become stun
o ulotrd, and products begin to grow from with
y in.
h knowledge is useful and important to man a
n religious being. 1t is true that Christianity IN
- vites US all to partake of its blessings, upon com
- pliancc with its terms, whether we be learncd.o
- ignorant But it addresses the understanding
. as we'll as the heart; its evidences challenge in
vcstigation; its hopes addressed to the immor
! tai element its sublime faith calls forth the Who'll
~ intellectual power and the doctrine of immortal
n ity invests the mind ofmen with dignity an
grandeur allied to purer and nobler state OF IN
tclligencc. In whatever other respects, then, W
or night conclude to dispense with the advantage
- of education and knowledge, when we conside
- man as a religious and immortal being, we wis
~ to see his mind expended, his faculties eXaltct
N and his taste refined, that he may the better ur
~ dcrstand his duties and his destiny.
tc knowledge, with virtue, is the foundation o
le which! our whole system of government rests
ID The practical operation Of this system creates
is demand for every species of intellectual etor
d. As citizens under it, we called upon to dis
s. charge the duties of elective franchise, to tax
re part in the administration of justice, and to fl
re the various official trusts of State. The law
in contemplate fitness to discharge these val
ious official trusts of State. The laws contcn
or plate our fitness to discharge these various DIT
" ties and trusts, under the guidance of opinion
= intelgcnty and independently formed, alon
I'd with that sense Of individual accountable
err which seeks not to hide itself in the crowd, or
n be led by other dctaton than its own. Th
bit correctness and eminent proprietv of our theor
IS in this regard, cannot be doubted The neare
ly we approach it in practice the safer is cor
lie diton When VIC reflect, that our countr
It, increases in population and in extent Of settle
le territory various new and conflicting interes
I'd and questions will arise to increase and intlan
a partizan Zca-that high state Of faction tent
I'd to corrupton-that there precipices e
k Their side of us whose outer b0rdcrs would see
rs to forbid exploration further along-and that IT,
lat huge swells of faction may rock back an
f nth until we sway over into the chaos below
we become moro and more impressed wit
the Importance of educating our rural popuatlo
ID in knowledge and virtue, of combining in OF
lie farmers strong heads with honest hearts that
re. may keep balance on ground, central from tt
les broken extremes, and known and safe, whc
,r all sorts of good fruit grow in abundance, whe
IL prosperity has ever dwclt, and where it may ev
to dwell.
JUS Our vast territory embraces every variety
IN, climate and soil. 1t is capable of growing
Oh most every known valuable production. TT
race VI lllcH 10 Su'"Su I'LL wv
w. derful native sagacity and energy of purpos
OF Let this mass of mind be expanded and siren
est thened by knowledge, and power is conterr
Lnit for the development Of vast agricultul
itl capabilities, not elsewhere to be found. 1t h
act been we'll said that cit is the glorious prerogati
lfa- of the empire of knowledge, that what it gal
III it never loses; on the contrary, it increases
the multiple gifts power; all its ends beco1
ey means; and all its attainments help to new &C
SER quests" In this view of the subject how d
the ectly does it become power to the farmers
tne Through them collectively, how eminently d.
nci- it become power to the nation!
r;tI In this connection, we may appreciate the
st t,,l portant influences impaired by Agrcur
.ted Journals. They quietly visit the farmer at
ead dwelling, Informing him of the known princiE
,a,.o of Agriculture, and the march of Science
low ard wards further discoveries. They give him
ahla results of the experience and practice Of into
o aI gent cultivators every where. Mind thus r
against and polishes mind and enterprise, ant
u,o ambition to improve, is excited They stil
,;o,,, late him in turn to communicate his own id
tt,t and modes of practice. When he has been
,Ita. duced to arrange his thoughts upon paper, an