The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-11-17

our scared and barren pastures, our
bleak and arid deserts, our foul, mala-
rious marshes but which Science shall
yet Justify and joyous Labor perpetuate.
In spite of all distractions and impedi-
ments, "the world does move," and
even the most sluggish and stubborn
are carried along with it. Our Agri-
culture, as a whole, is more skillful
and efficient than it was thirty or forty
years ago; and it is now improving
in accelerated ratio Even |, the de-
scendant of line of poor cultivators,
stretching back, very likely. 10 him
who through his own blindness and
faulty lost the situation of head-gar-
dener in Eden-even ] feel the all
pervading impulse toward improve
ment and reform. | can never be a
scientific farmer-l am too old and too
heavily laden with duties and cares
for that-but my son, if he lives, shall
be. The little can teach him shall
at least inspire him with craving for
more, and set him OH the right track
to learn it. And thus tens of thousands
are growing up all around us-children
perhaps, of ignoa auce. and inefficiency
who shall be leaders and guides in
the great work to which this address is
a feeble but earnest contribution,
Hawthorne, in his three-fold desti-
ny.DtellS the story of ayoung man who
wandered all the world over in quest of
three wonderful incidents, which, it
had been predicted, should occur to
him; and returned disappointed and
spirit broken to find them all under the
shadow of his paternal roof per-
ceiye in this tale, as in every work of
true genius, some reflection Of uni
versal fact-an appeal to the general
experience and the heart of humanity.
How many have chased deluding phan-
toms through the fervid noontide of
life, only to find, as evening shadows
drew around them, that ambition had
no goal achievement no triumph. TO
equal the calm, perennial joys of
humble rural home!
commend the moral of Hawthorne's
story to our young men, who are from
year 10 year setting forth so bravely 10
wrench fortune from the golden sands
of California, or win her among the
young cities that emulating the growth
of Jonah's gourd, are beginning to dot
the American shores of the great Pa
cific. Far be it from me to insinuate
that their venture is wild one, and
timely blight | have falth in Ameri-
can energy; still more in sturdy, per-
sistent, Intelligent industry; and feel
sure that cline so genial, a country
so diversified in It's natural features,
soil so deep and virgin, ,sas those of Cali
fornia, must proffer many inducements
to the hardy, resolute pioneer, even
though that soil be here and there
sprinkled with gold. Such an enter
prise as the peopling and settling of a
country So new and remote from prior
civilization, will, of course, demand its
martyrs: in its prosecution thousands
will die, and tens of thousands fail but
the enterprise itself will neither die
nor fail; and many of those who fitly
embark in it will achieve, at last, sue
cess and competence. What | would
say is addressed rather TO the tens of
thousands, whom filial or parental ties
retain among us, while they inpatient
ly champ the bit and say, Why am
not l. too, at Liberty 10 cross the Rocky
Mountains and gather my share of the
golden harvest 2" To these | would
earnestly say, "Believe not, repining
friends thai California and fortune are
inseparable, nor forget that there were
broad avenues to success and compe-
tence before Fremont unfurled his bear
standard in the valley of the Sacra-
mento." Nay: be assured that, right
here in Indiana, are ample placers for
all who will resolutely and work them
-placers, whereof the yield may be
less per pan or day than that of some
of the richest "gulches" on the Feath-
er or the Yuba; but then it is certain,
inexhaustible, and sure to prove more
and more abundant with each RETURN
ing season. The deeper these mines
are worked, the moe ample IS the re-
turn: they require no outlay of skill or
labor in prospecting; for every ara
Bile roods will reward The digger's ef-
forts, and from the Ohio TO the Missouri
he will find hardly any other than
pay-dirt."
AS for me, long-tossed on the Storm
lest waves OF doubtful conflict and ar
duous endeavor, | have begun 10 feel,
since the shades of forty years fell up
on me, the weary, tempest-driyen Voy-
ayers longing for land, the wanderers
yearning for the hamlet where in child
hood he nestled by his mothers knee,
and was soothed to sleep on her breast.
The sober down-hill of life dispels
many illusions while it develops or
strengthens within us the attachment,
perhaps long smothered or overlald, for
THAT dear hut, our home" And SO |,
in the sober afternoon of life, when It's
SUM- if not high, is still warm, have
bought me few acres of land in the
broad, still country, and, bearing thither
my household treasures, have resolved
to steal from the city's labors and anx-
ieties at least one day in each week,
wherein to revive as farmer the me-
mores OF my childhood's humble home.
And already ! realize that the expert
meut cannot cost SO much as 1t Is worth