Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-03-04
ron TIE AnrERr1sER.

FOR TIE ADVERTISER.
Mr.. Editor-Permit ME to thank you foi the
suggestions tllrownout by you, in q late number
Of tho Advertiser, with regard to our future
policy. The course indicated by you Is, think,
the only one we can pursue, under the circum-
stances, with honor and profit. The chivalry of
the State has indeed, fear, suffered sad de-
cline. And if this is the case, so much more is
it necessary 10 call into exercise those more. So
bcr virtues, which, though not so brilliant, yet
add equally to the prosperity and stability Of
State. And if we have decided that our pros
perity, individual and State is to be preferred to
the assertion of high and noble principle, we
should look well to it that we lose not both. One
we have already lost, are We sure Of the other ?
There is, think, work enough for every man to
do, before we can become an eminently prcspc-
.rous people; for that we are already 80, no one
can assert who has eyes to see and will use them
That we are not = manufacturing people, do
not regret, because IN agricultural people s al
ways most prosperous and happy But that We
are too entirely dependent upon our Western
ncghbors for mules, for horses, and for pork and
bacon. | do most deeply dcplorc, when these ar
ticles could be produced most abundantly ut
home. 1t is always to the interest of any people
to produce at home every article of daily con-
sumption, in 50 far as they are able. We have
a genial climate, and a soil whose fertility has
been unsurpassed. That it is not 30 now is, per.
haps, in great measure, owing to its original
fertility. And here is a great work for our agri-
cultursts to do. We have immense trlcts Of
worn-outl land, $50 called jim fact what WIS once
the very best land in the State is now so exhaust
cd that it will scarcely produce any thing. Eut
tits only the surface soil that is exhausted Land
can never wear out. There arc always in tue
earth, and the atmosphere surrounding it, ee-
mcnts whose tendency is ever to restore it to its
original fertility. But nerculturists must assist
nature in this restorative process Because
without their assistance the process is very slow,
taking many years to perform what might be
done in 4 few. And here the light Of science
becomes necessary. Our agriculiursts must be
| scientific men, that is, they must understand the
general principles Of vegetable chemistry. Much
as our farmers are disposed to rilicule book
farming, Qhough rejoice that that riiculc is
growing less daily) yet experience has shown
that much valuable assistance may be derived
from books and agricultural Journals. Many Of
the now best farms in Virginia, were few years
ago utterly worthless.
But the great work Of the regeneration of our
State does not rest entirely with the farmers.
Every class, lawyers, merchants, and mechanics
must encourage home literature, home talent,
home ingenuity and industry. Our farmers
should have in every community their aGriculiu-
raj socctcs-our literary and scientific men their
literary and scientific insitutions-our mechanics
their mechanics institutes. Thus the striving of
each for perfection in his individual calling would
tend to the prosperity Of all.
But above and bcyvnl all this. our State, in
its legislative capacity, lrus something 70 do.
And it's first AMI greatest effort, in the humble
opinion of the writer, should be devoted to the
general diffusion Of education. hold that it is
the duty Of the State or any State to provide for
the education, to certain extent, Of every child
reared within its limits. Without general ,lif-
fusion Of knowlcdgc no people can long continue
prosPcrons and Independent. And that we are
sufficiently well educated who will say, when
oncliftecnth Of our adult population cau neither
read nor write
Upon this subject, Mr. Editor Nhat is, upon
the subject Of the general Free School systcnl.) |
shall be happy to hear from any one, either pro
or con. 1t is subject would be glad to see
agitatcd and know of no better time than the
present. JUNlCS.