Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-10-26
Nwe find the following article il

the American Agriculturist. 1t is wor-
thy of an attentive perusal:
AGRIcULrURE AND THE PROFESSIONS.
When young men are about completing
their education, they very wisely ask
themselves what they shall do. A few,
scanning the various pursuits, luckily
hit on something in harmony with their
tastes, while the great part look only to
the professions as the legitimate sphere
of educated men. Now this conclusion
is all wrong. A college education aims
at professional life no more than any
other; but only at general discipline
and culture of mind which may be ap-
piled to all pursuits. There are no
doubt some in each class are adapted to
and will honor any of the professions;
but the greater part are not, and they
enter them rather because they are hon.
orable than in hopes of honoring them.
But we have little sympathy with those
luminaries which seek to shine by a re-
iected light. We have been taught to
believe that the man should honor his
Office, not the Office the man; and that
it is better to move at the head of even
an humble calling than follow in the
rear of a dignifed profession. We
would rather raise potatoes which some
body will eat than make speeches which
no one will read.
But if these gentlemen will carefully
look around they viii perhaps find other
avenues to wealth and distinction besides
the professions. Take, for instance,
agriculture-not simply the art of plow-
ing the ground, but agriculture viewed
in all its practical and scientific bearings
and they will possibly find scope for the
display of at least moderate capacities.
Indeed, if we mistake not some enter
the professions, who would not find a
waste of talent in agricultural pursuits,
and who are certainty quite as well
suited to them. But so many young
men are captivated with the idea of pro-
fessional or poetical titles and life that
they overlook what they call the hum
bier avocations. So away they 60, talk
ing of Robert Halls and Daniel Web
sters, between whom and themselves
there is no more comparison than be-
tween the Alps and an ant-hill. We
would not be thought to underrate the
profession by any means; but we be-
lieve strongly in an adoption, fitness
for things. If a man has not natural
capacity for one pursuit, let him take an
other for which he has natural capaci-
ty.
Better handle the plow with grace
than make stupid argument.
Nor yet does this avocation preclude
access to poetical distinction to which so
many young men aspire. We know OF
some farmers who stand as good a
chance for Office as many of their pro-
fessional brethren, and who are as well
able to sustain it. They might not be
able to flourish as delicate hand, nor
bubble as accurately, nor talk as honied-
ly; but, in good sense and sound judg-
ment-the essential elements of man
they are by no means inferior. We
always like to see such men-good,
honest souls-who lean not on the dig
nifty of their profession, but on them
selves. Such men are at once the
strength and pride of the country.
Let not the young men, therefore,
think profession the "sine qua non" OF
human greatness, but let them cast
about and see what they are fitted and
have taste for. They will then go to
work thoroughly and earnestly, and be
sure to succeed, while on the other hand
they will most surely fail.