The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-01-27
From an Address Of D. D. Moore before the Livins.t
TO FARMEI,s SONS


a word of caution TO any young men in this
audience who dislike the so-calIed dullness
and drudgery of farm life, and long to enter
the arena of what they imagine to be pleas
ant and profitable city trades and professions.
As ono who, though not yet old, has travers-
ed both paths, | would earnestly entreat any
and every farmers son who may be looking
city-ward to pause and consido Wen the life
long consequences of change from country
to city life and habits, and from an outdoor
to n sedentary employment Remember
that, though few-aas how very few bus
mess and professional men succeed in acquir-
ing and retaining wealth and position, the
many too often fail Of securing competency;
while thousands of disappointed, broken
hearted men, who commenced life with light
hopes and brilliant prospects, annually die in
poverty and obscurity. Bear in mind, also,
that the farm is the natural nursery Of Health,
Virtue and Contentment, and that it guaran-
tees competence if not wealth; while the
city, with its ayocations, associations, and
temptations, Injuries and often destroys tho
health, corrupts the morals, and not unfre
qucntly lends to bankruptcy in cash, con-
science, ana reepectaOllty.
But need not attempt . portray the su-
periority of the farmers occupation as a bus
mess for lie, and Of the Godmade country
wherein TO render happy and prolong that
life; for were not a vast majority of the tru-
| ly great and useful men Of this and all ages
born and reared away from The turmoil Of
of the poisonous town, and in the only re-
spectacle birth place on earth--the pure, in
,igorating, lifc-giying and sustaining coun
try and do not the wsest, best, and most
famous men ever desire to spend the evening
Of their existence in the quietnoss and sereni-
| ty of the country, and that, too after vainly
seeking peace and happiness elsewhere (! Be
assured, therefore, that as general rule,
every young man who leaves the farm for
tho. counter, desk, physic or law forsakos a
certainty for an uncertainty; and as TO the
extent Of that uncertainty let the idle starv-
ing thousands Of our large cities answer.
And vet, if young man has decided
taste, an unconqpcrablc inclination for this
or that business or profession, it is perhaps
best to give it fair trial, especially as, un-
less our large towns occasionally receive re-
cruits from the country, they will ere long
] i'A'b taV ipOH't, 'iSOiJuSt NNbSf PIiI-
ing, (and l had almost said respectable citi-
zens.
But there are other items worthy Of con-
sideration. For example, those who wish to
''livc long in the land" would DO well TO
look at the statistics on the comparative du-
ration Of life among the various occupations.
The census Of one OF our States-Massachu-
sctts, l belicye-gives the average life Of
farmers to be 65 years; Merchants so; Me-
chanics As. In these days Of progress fif-
teen, or twenty years is certainly an item Of
some moment, most potent argumer' in
favor Of rural life and its pursuits. The poet
has both beautifully and very truthfully said
Would you be sirongl Go follow tho rlow;
Would youhc thoughtfulf Study fields and flowers
/ Would you be wise; Take on Yourself n ~
| s To 60 TO school in Natures sunny bowers.
Fly from The city-nothing there charm:
~ Seek Wisdom, Strength, and Virtue on farm
Young men, ponder well before you de-
1 eide tho important question of change from
country to city life, for it is matter of life
long Importance. aAa2ia
4 t.. I.