Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-03-10
A Plea for Agriculture.

its foundation on the earth or beneath
its surface. Though what is high. magnf-
cent and imposing, may engross the whole
a icntion an monopolize the entire thoughts.
ye it S lie I'm le foundation which sus
tains the mighty edifce. So all the splen-
did glory of these United States, which eX-
tort the admiration of all the world, and
constitute this the most desirable of all lands,
are sustained by humble agriculture. There
was once a city delivered from the invading
forces of powerful king, by poor, wise
man. yet no one. we are told in the sequel,
thought Of that poor, wise man, but forgot
him. 1t is not somewhat the case with our
Government, in regard TO agricultural
Very little even next TO nothing, is done
for this prime essential interest.
/ The accumulated millions OF our national
revenue are mostly expended for the bene-
fit and protection of commerce, and almost.
by the means, directly TO advanne the man
utacturing interests, while only a few hun
dred dollars, through the agency of the Pa
tent Office. are doled out as pittancc, or
perhaps a peace Offering to agriculture
Nowit may be asked in soberne>s, is this
course wise? Is il the dictate Of impartial
practice? Is it republican thus to neglect
that interest which sustains all others
viii not candor give negative response 10
each and to all these inerrogatoricS? The
vast extent and eXigencies of our country
will constitute agriculture the greatest in
terest of the United States. until all the va
cant lands are brought into cultivation, and
nude 70 enrich and feed he te, NJ nj ions
Syho must eventually have their homes here;
f uniirevcry frontier section is occupied by a
dense population, who will make these
waste lands yeId wealth to the nation, and
be able to defend the borders in case of an
invasion. Nor can town, city or village,
be built up, and sustained otherwise than
as rustic farmers become pioneers TO pro.
vide them food. Neither does it require
the eyes OF an argus to perceive that by the
neglect Of agriculture. our country has al
ready received some serious detrimcnt-
Under governmental neglect, agriculture
has either sunk or remained in disrcpute.--
While commerce has been the chief pet OF
the government. it has with all lis appenda-
ages, been considered reple,e with honor
As L consequence, a vast number Of oul
young men possessing talent and enterprise
have turned from the dsrepu;c of agricuI.
ture and rcsorted TO mercantile employment
That department has been oycr-crowded
and thousands, after few years spent il
hat pursuit, have failed, and become th,
most helpless and pi,iablc OF pauper>.
How much better it would have been fo
the country, for these men and their d,
cen lants, had they been content to TILL th
ground. Whilst agriculture has been trea
ted with neglect and loaded with obloquy. III
exclusive patronage Of the Government up
on commerce has opcara,ei as a lure /
draw thousands OF young men OF fine pro
mise upon that fatal rock. Nor does thi
make up all the dim m,nsionS Of the evil
One Of the mJ,t useful and honorable @
learned professions stands infinitely cor
nected with commerce and the mercant
pursuit. A a consequence, that protest. ic
has been crowded to overlooking, and Il,
a little out Of repute. Thus the evil
which we complain has, indirectly at leas
blotted out and destroyed no small amount
the rising talent and promise Of our coul
try; nor is this neglect Of agriculture in al
cordance with impartial justice. Our ma
al force has, with great propriety, bee
called the right arm Of the nation. Agr
culture nerves that arm makes it strong
Take away this aid, and that arm would b
come pal,icd and powerless. Not only S
but the agricultural class, more than al
o her, must defend the country in case
IN instruction or invasion. Sill furthe
in the State Of New York, which is about
fair specimen OF the other States, the agI
cultural interest pays nearly four filhS
taxes, and Of course about that proport
-. Indirectly towards the L. S. revenue.
y Is it republican thus to tax this intere
and then cast it off by neglect? WI
should not the farming interest be allow
a bureau at the seat of government
organ by which they might communica
with the councils of the nation as their exl
gencies might demand. Might not p
tance Of the nations treasure be appropri
ted TO establish and carry on an experime
tai farm in different states, where expel
hat ments which exceed the means OF nearly
, the farmers might be made with agricutu
- and with animals. The farmer, the man
: :. n..l IL I.,nrnknnt nllins u