Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-10-12

Of the State, and the land. They foretell
brighter day for agriculture. Some may
ask: .Where is the benefit Of such gath
erings? Better at work gathering the
corn" Let such ask what mean those
gatherings in our large cities every day, at
a fixed hour, at the Exchange? What the
advantage Of Chambers of Commerce and
Boards of Trade? Such gatherings give
life to commerce, and fairs bear similar
relation to agriculture. They promote
friendly feeling and neighborly intercourse.
They stimulate to effort. Few men are so
fixed in their ways as to leave these scenes
without feeling their blood run quicker and
their purpose fixed to make renewed efforts.
He says to himself, That fence must be re-
paired, the manure removed from the stable
door, and thousand other things done.
They disseminate knowledge. This must
be clear to all. Addressing you, Mr.. Pre-
sident, in unwritten words, know not how
far these remarks constitute an appropriate
introduction to my theme, if indeed have
one. II have one, it is-THE AMERICAN
farmer, AMERICAS NoBLEMAS. However,
say what l may. / shall try and avoid
both the Lewisburg or Mifilinburg fever.
Labor is noble-honorable. All labor
is honorable, and none more so than the
toll of the farmer. The man is below con-
tempt, who thinks himself too good to la
Dor. He is but poor, miserable thing.
Let none, however, imagine that he alone
labors who works with his hands. Some have
such, contracted views. Every man who
adds to the sum of human happiness, is
laborer. Even we preachers claim to be
real workers. Start not at the claim thus
set up. l know what the masses think Of
us. They regard US as paupers and pen
sionecrs on the hand Of toll. We deny the
position. All feel. and especially just
now, the importance of court houses and
jails. They are useful, as the world now
is, yet all must see that the less need we
have for them the better. They consume
the wealth Of the people. That they do not
consume more Of it, is in consequence ofa
preached Gospel. Who is so blind as not
to see that if we, despised preachers, were
driven out Of the land, murders, robberies,
and all wickedness would yet more abound?
No cheaper police, than preachers with an
open Bible. The merchant, the mechanic,
the professional man, each and all have
their work. Mutual relation and mutual
dependence mark human society. None
may say, fave no need of thee. Still,
agriculture is the basis Of national wealth,
and must ever be regarded as first in i'm
portance. A celebrated writer has justly
said, that agriculture is the source Of
nourishment to the state" Ifso, then is
the farmer rightly entitled to be called
not only Americas, but Earth's no
bleman. Well can the farmer afford to
leave to us lesser herd the minor titles of
Honorables, Generals, Colonels, Doctors,
Reverends, &C., and be known simply as
John Smith or Philip Roe. Democrats as
We are, yet We all love to have handles to
our names. Not so of the farmer-he is
nobleman. The farmer is nobleman in
the character of his pursuits. He tolls, de-
-, tI,., Ilas,srv Of h,a
tor for success, and may be regarded as a
co-worker with him. How noble to look
up to God for success, and feel your depen.
dcncc on Him, as compared with feeling
of dependence on a fellow worm! The
farmer is nobleman in the usefulness of
his work. The time wns when the nobili.
ty Of Europe were such from the fact that
the State looked to them for safety. The
American farmer is Americas hope and
sure defense. The farmer is moreover a
nobleman in that he is comparatively free
from the envy and petty tricks Of trade well
nigh attendant on every other Calling
While We preachers are jealous Of each
other, and doctors and lawyers bersie each
other, the farmer stands above such petty
strife-a true ncbleman.
That the farmer does not at all times and
in all places occupy his true position, may
not be denied. The fault, however is not
in the nature of his work, but lies at his
own door, and must be looked for in HIM
self. Would he stand before the world
in his true character, he must rightly ap-
preciate himself.
lie who would be respected must respect
himself, and this is equally true of his bu-
siness. The American farmer is not want.
ing in independence. This, however, we
may have without true selfrespect. Iwould
not advocate an assumed impOrtance-a
mock dignity. The farmer needs not this.
True selfrespect, it seems to me, involves
consciousness of equality with all about
US, however exalted their stations that We
expect from them, rs matter of course,
to be treated as their cquals-as gentle
men. Now, do not farmers sometimes fail
here? Some men, in order to approach
them, need to be courted, as you would to
win q wife. They keep of, saying "you
are proud and think yourself above them"
Such feelings should never find place in
an American farmers breast. When we
give them room, We fail to appreciate our
selves Alright.
The American farmer needs, in order to
occupy his true position, to appreciate and
make subservient to his ends the knOwl-
edga and imnroHementa of the are. The