American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-24

Rome, in the palmiest day of her
power and glory, characterized the
policy of encouraging agriculture
Whilst with the sword in one hand,
she carried on the conquest of the
world in the other. She bore the
ploughshare and the spade, and plan
ted her victorious standards. Thus
she civilized savage provinces as she
subducd them, and established her pow
Ell on basis most durable and benef-
cient. To no principle of her policy
was republican or imperial Rome so
much indebted for her perpetuity and
power as to this. And to what was the
fluctuating character of the Grecian
States attributable? 1t was to the
want of an agricultural population, in
terested in the soil and its products.--
No Government can be stable without
an intelligent and Industrious rural pop
ulation. Especially is such safeguard
required in all systems of popular gov
ernment.
The wisest and worthiest legislators
of every age have recommended the
Importance of promoting agriculture,
by both precept and example. The
virtuous and heroic Cato gladly stole
away from the acclamations Of an adj
miring nation and. from the honors Of
State, to spend the brief intervals,
which his duties in the camp and the
senate would allow in cultivating his
little farm. Nor was he satisfied with
that. He wrote an elaborate treatise
to inspire his countrymen with the same
love of husbandry. Virgil, too, laid
the MUSES. under contribution for the
same praiseworthy purpose, and in
numbers sweet and melodious as ever
fell from the lips of song, consecrated
the science to immortal respect and
veneration.
All along down the course Of Eng
lish history after England emerged
| from barbarism, we find the most il
lustrious names that adorned her pages,
from Thomas A. Beckett, among the
monks of olden time, to Sir Humphry
Davy, among the philosophers of the
modern time, honorably and intimate
| ly connected with the agriculture of
the British realm. And thus has it
been among the great and good Of our
own country. Washington like Gin
cinnatus was called from the plow to
the camp--from his farm to the chief
magistracy of the Republic which he
had created. And when his services
were no longer required there when
he had crowned his country's standard
with final victory, and established the
federal government on a permanent ba-
sis, we see him joyfully disburdening
himself of the Insignia of State to re-
sumo his avocations as q farmer.--
''The father Of his country" was am
bilious to be considered the best farmer.
So, Jefferson and Madison, when they
had filled the measure ofthcir country s
glory, retired to the shades of Monti-
cello and Montpelier, to spend the re-
malnder Of their illustrious lives in the
rural scenes and rural pursuits. "The
hero of New Orleans" the most popu-
lar President Of the United States,
since Washington the very idol of the
popular heart = gladly dismissed his
immense power and patronage for the
sequestered pursuits Of husbandry at
hermitage" And our own glorious
Claynever appeared happier or greater
than when showing his farm and his
Aocks at Ashland, and expatiating OH
their qualities to some friendly visitor
And yet their fingers amongst us a
jpreposterous sentiment that agricultu-
raj pursuits arc unworthy of men of ed
lucation, talents, and refinement A.
gain, | say again away with such folly!
But gentlemen, this improper csti-
mate of their pursuits, as | think to
some extent, owing to farmers them
selves. How shall it be relieved of so
iunwarrantable prejudice? Let far
mers properly respect their own cali
ling, and then demand due estimation
for it from others.
The claims of any cause to the pub
lie regard, will seldom be recognized,
unless its advocates are ready to vim.
dicate its pretentions, and determined
to maintain them. Let farmers there
fore take the legitimate position, and
say that their occupation, the most
useful and necessary, shall also be es-
tcemed as respectable as any other pur-
suit or profession.
But it will require something more
than mere operation, or consumption
to enable the agriculturist to maintain
such a position. There must be mer-
itorious qualification. TO recommend
any art or science effectively its friends
must understand it thoroughly. To
challenge successfully the public conf