Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-26
AGRGGUL r
A Plea for Agriculture.

The most splendid supeistructure has
It's foundation either on the earth or be-
nenth It's surface. Though what is high,
magnii zen t, and imposing may engross the
whole attention and monopolize the entire
thoughts, yet il is the humble foundation
which susiains the mighty edifce. So all
the splendur and glory Of the United States,
which cxtolt the admiration of the Old
World and constitute this the most desira-
bic Of all lands, are sustained by humble
agriculture. There was once a city deliv-
cred from the forces Of a powerful king by
Il poor wisc man, and yet no one, we are
told in the sequel, thought IF that poor wise
man, but forgot him. Is it not something
so with our government in regard to agri-
culture? Very little, even next to moth
ing, is done for this prime essential interest.
The accumulated millions Of our national
revenue are mostly expended for the ben
eft and protection of commerce, and by
that means tend almost directly to advance
the manufacturing interest, while only a
few hundred dollars, through the instru-
mentality Of the patent C%iice, are doled out
az a %pittancc, or perhaps a peacc-offering, to
agriculture.
Now it may be asked in sobcrness, is
this course wise? Is it the dictate of i'm
partial justice Is it republican thus to
neglect that interest which ~sustains all
others?
Win not candor give a negative response
10 each and to all of these heterogeneous?
The vast extent and exigencies of our coun-
try will constitute agriculture the greatest
interest of the United States, until all our
vacant lands are brought into cultivation,
and made to enrich and feed the teeming
millions who must eventually have their
homes here, until every frontier section is
occupied 10y q dense population, who will
make those waste lands yield wealth to the
nation, and be able to defend the borders
in case of an invasion. Nor, can Il town,
city or village, be built up and sustained
otherwise than as rustic farmers become
pioneers to provide them food. Neither does
it require the eyes of an Argus to perceive
that by the neglect of agriculture our coun.
try has already sustained some serious Diet,
riment. Under governmental neglect, agri
culture has either sunk or remained in dis
repute. While has been the
chief pet OF the government, it has, with al
Its appendagcs, been regarded as replett
with honor. AS a consequence, a vas
number OF our young men, possessing tai
ent and enterprise, have turned from the
disrepute of agriculture, and resorted t
mercantile employment. That department
has been over crowded, and thousands afte
a few years spent in that pursuit, have fail
ed and become the most pitiable and mos
helpless of paupers. How much bette
wouldit have been for the country, for thes
men and their descendants, had they bee
contented to till the ground While ayr
culture has been treated as an impostor an
loaded with obloquy, the exclusive p~atronae
OF the government upon commerce has ope
dted as a lure to draw numerous thousanC
of young men of fine promise upon the Fl
tai rock. Nor does this make up all th
dimensions of the evil. OF the most us,
ful and honorable Of the learned profession
stands intimately connected with CONNER,
aud the mercantile pursuit. AS q cons
quence that profession has been crowd,
TO overlooking, and is not a little out
repute. That the evil Of which we col
plain has, indirectly Mt least, blotted O
aud destroyed no small amount of the
sing talent and promise of our country.
Nor is the neglect Of agriculture in
cordance with impartial justice Our u,
al force has, with great propriety, be
called the right arm of the nation. Agric
ture nerves that arm and makes it stron
take. away this aid, and that arm wol
become palsied and powerless. Not OF
so, but the agricultural class, more ii
any other, must defend our country,
case Of an instruction or invasion. 81
further in the State of New York, VIII
is, probably, about a specimen of the otl
States, the agricultural interest pays nea
four ffths of the taxes, and of course, ab
that proportion indirectly towards the u
ted States revenue. Is it republican Il
TO tax this interest, and then cast it off
neglecty Why should not the farming
terest be allowed a bureau at the seat
government II an orgal by which Il
might communicate with the ~counsils of
nation, al their exigencies might demar
Might not a pittance of the nations tr,
ure be appropriated to establish and ca
on an experimental farm in different ST,
where experiments, which exceed the me
of nearly all the farmers, might be m
with agriculture and animals? The
mer, tie manufacturer and the merct
arc allies, and SHOULD te treated as )
by the government, without partial
These unitedly have r,ndered our coul
independent by its cwn rts Jurces, and
against foreign foe. All Americl is