Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-03-22
OUR AGRICULTURAL WEALTH.

The American Reptile has one sure source
of prosperty-an inexhaustible soil-which
guarantees to her a progressive growth, greater
than that of any other nation of the earth. In
all the countries of the old world, the soil has
been tested to its fullest capacity-its products
are already insufficient to maintain the dense
population depending upon it for subsistence,
and the deficiency has to be supplied from the
teeming fields of America.
The agricultural fairs which have qeen held
during the past season in every State Of the
Union, and the great industrial Exhibitions
which have recently closed in this city, afford a
true index to the vast interests involved 10 the
extent and produetiveness of the lands already
brought under cultivation. Not only do the
variogs products Of the farm, improving with
each successive year, excite our admiration, but
the improved methods of cultivating the soil,
and the innumerable mechanical contriyances
for facilitating the operations of agriculture,
gives evidence Of the progress constantly make
ing in this ruling branch of industry. If COM
merce expands and multipIies its facilities and
resources, threatening to ~everrule by the force
of unlimited capital, the feebIer movements of
labor in its isolated efforts, its gEoth aud power
are intimately dependent upon agrictural. and
can only increase in common with the latter
Hence he who causes twO blades Of grass to
grow where only one grew before, or facilitates
in any manner the operations of the farm, aids
in an equal degree in the development Of trade
and every branch of industry.
The agricultural wealth of the United States
constituting as it does, the basis of an extended
trade with Europe, is our guaranty or peace
with all the world. When the EDligh people
were surprised by the runner Of war with this
country, it was the fear of a PROSTATE trade and
a ruined industry which intimidated them, and
not the danger Of disgrace to their military
prowess. They have more regard for our
lucrative market than for the sham glory Of a
victory over our arms, on the sea or land
Thus will IL ever continue to be, while the ag-
ricuItural resources of America are necessary to
supply the necessities of the crowded popula.
tons Of Europe.
In view CT the vast influence which our in4
telIigent yeomanry exercise over the destinies
of the world, it is a subject Of congratulation
that they are constantly improving the methods
. fcultnre and adding TO the capacities Of the
soil. Every County Fair gives a mes stimulus
to agricultural, and adds to the intelligence of
the sturdy cultivators Of the soil. Every great
gaiherig of the agriculturists of the State, eve.
~ scientific Improvement answering tue wants
of the farm, and every impetus given to the
competition Of labor-but adds to the power
wherewith we control the governments Of
Europe, and teach them to respect our great
ness and dread our displeasure. So long as the
bounty Of heaven fills our gamers with the life.
sustaining products of the earth, and millions
of acres Of uncultiyated lands await the labors
Of the husbandman-will our Reptile continue
to prosper and to multiply the sources of her
power. Her g.eatne . is yet in the bud.