Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-24
The AgriculturaliSt-His Position.

ical changes and different scenery as to
render what is really true, almost incred
ible. AS far and even farther back than
1888, many of US well recellect that in
the crude estimation Of large number
of those living in towns and cities, the
country man and country woman were
supposed to be little better than the hea-
then-possessing none of the requisite
qualifications to %enii;le them TO the most
remote places in society. or in the affec-
tons of the posscssors of this i'll begotten
aristocracy.
1t is true, to some extent, that the
farmer in this country did not possess.
twenty years ago, that means Of intellect.
ual improvement which he now does,
nor does he now avail himself of all the
advantages within his reach. His idle
hours were "few and far between"-all
devoted in removing the forest tree. fit
ting and preparing his fields which were
to yield him his daily bread, and deeel-
oping the rich resources of The country
which he had adopted as his future home,
was the pride and ambition of his heart.
He sought no ofice-no place among the
l~iterati, nor to ~oficia;e as g leading spirit
in society; hence he thought no prepara-
ton for those positions necessary. Tic
his own lonely and almos: solitary fire.
side, his associations were almos, exclu-
sively confined; but even here. the great
est and best men have found the most
fruitful source of true and genuine enjoy
ment. A fathers deep anxiety for the
health and comfort Of his dependent fam
lily, and a mothers care and affection for
her confding offspring. a sisters affection
and a brothers Kindness. the parents right
10 govern and the child's duty 10 obey
all may be as clearly evinced in the wood
land cottage rs in the city palace. No
matter how warm and generous beat the
hearts of the members of this family,
when they sought or were accidentally
thrown into the society of those appa-
rently in highe. circumstances, their ba ok
wardness and timidity and mildness OF
disposition were construed into ignorance
and cowardice, and they were laughed at
for their awkwardness and Stunned as
unfit associates for the more forward and
presumptuous 'fops" and "firts."-
Should a country Miss be seen in the
streets of he town or city--the doors Of
the residences by which she might pass,
would almost Involuntary fly open-not
for her reception-but to be filled with
the naughty soothing faces of impudent
and shan; city bellies. See what a walk
she has," sLa, look at those great Shoes"
"She's a pretty girl. if sh. wa. only dress
ed, &C., &c. A similar inhuhlan want
of courtesy and fellow-feeling was Often
manifested by older heads. Indirectly
sanctioning such conduct by those under
their direction and teaching.
Bat how different. "How hare the
mighty fallen?" A different scenery is
presented. The ambition of the country
lad to get into some mechanics shop, or
to enjoy the noble and lofty appellat;on
Of counter hopper" sugar monkey"
&c. is giving place to more commendable
notions as the farmers avocstion increases
in responsibility and profit. The ankle
ty of young gentlemen to become the
pampered lacquey boys. or clerks and
tools in the hands Of others, is becoming
a secondary consideration, especially with
those who have sufficient brains to fit
them for the discharge of such duties
The college graduate is now more apt to
think Of a farmers life and enjoyment,
than of the pill bags, the lawyers desk or
the pulpit.
The increasing wealth and prosperity
of the farming class nave doubtless tend
ed much to effect this change. and the
consequence has been and will continue
TO raise and elevate to a proper standard
of excellence the cultivator and tiller OF
the soil--and thus we shall be able to
fully develop our resources as people
and as a nation.
Intellectual lights have been kept in
total obscurity, partly by the difficulties
alluded to. and partly by the neglect Of
those having the means of improvement