The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-02
HisrrllunRall5.
The Farm Supports All.

man, because he insists that a trader or broker
is as useful man as the farmer, but we quarrel
with any man in centemanly way, who will
not admit that the farmers life does possess as
much true dignity and utility as any other. We
will, for civility sake, admit equally, but can
acknowledge no superiority.
Agriculture is the basis Of all national pros
pcritv. A child may see that if the earth is not
cultivated the whole population in single year,
or at most, in two years, when the cattle are
consumed, must literally starve, while society
could exist to an indefinite extent, were the abors
of any other interest to cease at "nce. Observe
the course of trade, and inquire Of the merchants
even in our own country, and we shall hnd, that
upon the products Of the soil does all the pros
perity of trade depend. Ii the cotton crop is
short the southern trader c,nnot order goods
from the North, or having ordered, fails, and
cannot pay for them. He fails because the
planter having fed to his negroes all his corn
and bacun has nothing left wherewith to pay
for his E,rniIy supplies. Ii the wteat crop fails,
the Boston and New York merchants At once
feel the effect Of the failure, fr the Western
merchant cannot meet his liabilities, nor incur
others.
When all things are prosperous. tn" farmer is
almost forgotten. He laborS hard aud brings
the product of his labor to full market. He
is met 10y sharp spectators with the cry. that
the market is gutted, and his supplies are not
wanted and is compelled. because he cannot
enter into combinations to meet the banded
ponorlzer>, to Sell at Il price which gives him
but scanty pay or his n!u>try. tie feels that
all the world is prosperous except himself. and
the trading public, tnryctful Or careless that The
farmer maintains and even produces al this
prosperity b! his Iniet pursuits looks d''"'l "''
him. perhaps, with contempt.
10 b.. sure, he lrl> at such m.> III conri:.''t
with Others. enough of tnod and c.'thinG l..
does not want but his abundance aud success
seem to profit othere more than himself. ind"'i.
he hardly participates in the general prosperity
which hls own hard work and watchiul care has
created.
But by.and b.. e the scene changes. The crops
are short in some sections of the country
Supplies are not forwarded to the great marts
of trade for the adequate supply Of the inhah-
tants of the cities themselves, or to meet the
demands # commerce. Business is deranged,
merchants fail, the country traders are d<cour
aged, the whole country languishcs, and there is
a general cry OF hard times. But the farmer
does not fail He raises his own fo"d in abun-
dance still. What he can spare brings him an
increased price in the market. The traders and
spectators come 10 his very doors, and entreat
him to sell them at any price enough to meet
the present necessities of their business. And
So when he earth is laid waste, and labor divert
ed from its legitimate pursuits, BY want. Then
the farmer increases bis exertiols. h. Sow>
more broadly, he laborS more earnestly. H.
feels that men in foreign lands, who are dragged
by hard masters from their homes TO engage in
bloody battles, are dependcn: on him for their
daily bread. Still his own supply is abundant,
and Others demand SHARE and offer him a
generous reward for his labor. The world, stu,
pid as it often is, in times Of general peace and
prosperity, now appreciates the farmers useful
life.
What. then. is the true position Of the cul
,iva,ion Of rhe land! Is it one Of hard work
and scrviIe labor only, or is it Yuc Of dignity
End importance, Indispensable at all times -
Farming is. doubtless, hard work. III the g,l'.r.'l
accetatiun Of the term but it i< II great ml.ak.'
to call that on hard work, which is I"ltnr '"'l
with the hands The law Ct, 'ntinrd tn the
Sitting and "rampcd air of Il court room for days
and weeks, with tn" property and lives of his
cli.utS at stake, anil d"p"nccnt "n his w'tc'f'
constant carr; the minister, bound to his stated
preaching. whether III health, or feeling himself
sinking already undc" his lar,>>ing and ncver
ceasing responsibility; til" doctor, called oui a
midnight to prescribe i'll an il'stan', in n'r' !;
and doubtful ca<r,-tnrse have all their ltl,nr.
harder work than any performed br tll" lands |
alone. Manv farmers labor too severely. more SD
than there is any need of; bnt STILL we think
their harl<hips are not so great "A those inc'det
to the professions we have named. They have. |
besides what traders and speculators, an'l even |
mechanics can never have, what is really a
source of moro enjoyment than wealth can
bring they have 'curity TO- the future. They
plant and SOW in faith, and with fu. assurance
that the harvest will not fail Railroad and
bank stocks may rise or fall, the market for their
own produce NAV be high or low, war or peace
NAV prevail, free trade or high duties may tri
umph, but they know that God givcth the
increase" and that they and theirs are depend.
ent on him alone. Young men make haste to
be rich. They forsake their "paternal acres"
and strive in doubtful paths to outstrip the |
tickle goddess, Fortune.
As age brings reflection. and juster views Of
the true objects Of life, most men place higher
value on the peaceful pursuits Of agriculture.
The repose and serenity Of farmers life have
charms for them, beyond riches, and all the
pleasures wealth can buy.
Indeed, it is rare to find merchant, or sue
cessful mechanic. who has in early life left his
rural home for life in the city, who doest not
look forward with pleasant anticipations to the
day, when he shall return once more to his ma
II, OF n ho ofo