Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-04-25
Letter from PROT. J. B. turner.
THE DIGNITY or AGRICULTURE.

bic letter from Prof. j. b. Turner, OF Jack
souville, Illinois, 1t was not intended fol
publication, but it is so afame with the
right spirit, that VIC cannot help but give it
Editor Of the Ohio Farmer.
THos. BRowN, Eso.-Your kind note o.
Feb. 4, with the accompanying papers came
duly to hand; since which time till within
a few days, have been confined to the
house, and unable to do more than barely
to live, but am now about again.
l am greatly pleased with your paper, its
matter, manner and form. Its good paper,
fno clear type, and good mechanical execu-
ton, rs well as its interesting matter, COM
mend it especially to weak-eyed men like
myself. should, health and Providence
permitting, be glad to speak through it oc-
casionally, to so many of your readers as
might choose to read, if l could promise
them anything worth their reading. And
l think when the vigor of strength and life
return TO me again, with your indulgence, l
shall attempt it.
l have long wished, and even attempted
moro than once, 10 greet orr brother farm
ers in your gallant and noble State; but un-
expected, and with me, unexampled person
al Affections, have hitherto prevented.
Among other things, 1 wish to congratu-
late them upon their extraordinary and en-
viable position before the eyes of the Union,
and the world, and to exhort them to fulfill
that high mission, to which benignant and
favoring Providence has so fortunately called
them-the great mission of standing, as the
pioneers patrons, founders and fathers of
an Agricultural College, in this beautiful
West, and this American continent.
| believe the farmers of Ohio are the first
this side of the Great Waters, if not the
first in the civilized world, voluntarily to put
their hands into their own pockets, and mu-
nifcently endow a Farmers College and to
take the same under their oWn distinctive
control, and select its apparatus, instruments,
endowments and methods, with special ref
erence to their own most noble, most moral
most enligbtening, and most truly religious
profession.
l have often said that God made no mis-
take when he made the first pure man on
earth farmer, and the second still purer
and holier than he, an humble mechanic; /;
and it is so obvious and pertinent thought,
in contrast with all the fiunkey shams in
professional life, that in this age, from all
quarters stun our ears, and disgust our eyes
with their demagogue uproar and outcry of
peculiar claims to patriotism, wisdom and
sanctity, that it is very difficult for me to
refrain from repeating it, even though stale
and old.
Say what we will, and preach and prattle
as We may, if God or man ever gets any
thing out of this world, that is really worth
getting, or worthing keeping when got, that
something will come through all the un-
known future, as it ever has come through
all the mighty past, either directly or indi-
rectly, out of the ranks and the hearts of
the working classes. The Jews never had a,
patriarch, nor prophet priest, nor king
that was worth anything to them, in the
long run, from any other class,not excepting
in all his ruinous and deceitful
show of wisdom and glory. The other ma
lions have had, and will have essentially
the same fate. What hope have we now
from any other class? Other classes are
useful and honorable in their places, it is
readily confessed, but they are so prone to
yet out Of their place, so impelled by their
rery position to take too much upon them
selves, and arrogate to their own orders, that
hey remind one of the old woman's new
gold and ivory teeth, first rate to talk with,
but mighty hard to swallow and digest
tell you, my friend, if this nation now, is
ever in fact saved, the working men, the
farmers and mechanics must do all the
work of saving it, financially, socially, polit-
cally, morally, and religiously too, let who
will do the talking. How earnestly then
should our farmers and mechanics be seek
ing for themselves and their children, educa-
.ional facilities and powers, suited to their
'wn wants, and directed by their oaUn prou-
idence and care.
With these views, I congratulate with
the farmers of Ohio, on what
hey have already DONE hope they will
till gloriously lead the way to this great
md needful reform, and millennium of the
Iges.
We of Illinos do not like to stand No. 2.
But in this case VIC are obliged to do So
And on the whole, we JOY in it, and bid
7ou God speed In a glorious future we
an safely, if true to ourselves, challenge
he world; but we arc yet in our Herculean
infancy, and not vet as fully prepared to en-
er upon the great work of cleansing the
Augean stables of clan and caste, as our
'rothers of your State. But we will como
o your aid soon-so God speed and bless
-ou. Yours truly, J.B. TURNER.