Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-12-08
GI}e Garner.
To Farmers Sons.

In this connection | cannot refrain adding
word of caution to any young men in this
audience who dislike the so called dullnesg
and drudgery Of farm.ite, and o1g to enter
the arena OF what they imagine to be pleas
ant and profitable city trades and profess
sions. As one who, though not yet DID, has
traversed both paths, | would earnestly ell
treat any and every farmers son who ray
be looking city-ward, to pause and ponder
well the lifelong consequences OF change
from country to city life and habits and
from an out door to sedentaly employment.
Remember that, though few-alas, how very
few !-business and professional men succeed
in acquiring and retaining wealth and posi-
ton, the many too often tail OF securing
competcncy-whie thousands Of disappointed
broken hearted men, have commenced life
with high hopes aud brilliant prospects. an
nually die in poverty and obscurity. Bear
in mind, also, that the farm is the natural
nursery of Health, Virtue, and CoDteDtment
and that it guarantees competency it rot
wealth-while the city with its avoca'ions,
associations and temptations,) Injuries and Of
ten destroys the health, corrupts the morals
and not unfrequcn,ly leads to bankruptcy in
cash, conscience and responsibility.
But need not attempt to portray tho SUI
perority of the farmers occupation as bu-
siness for life, or Of the God-made country
wherein to render happy and proong life -
for we're not vast majority OF the truly
great and useful men of this and all ages,
born and reared away from the turmoil OF
the poisonous town, and in the only respeca-
Bile birthplace on earth, the pure, lnvigorat'ng'
iie-giving aud sustaining country! and do
not the wisest, best and most famous men
ever desire to spend the evening Of their ex-
istcnce in the quietness and serenity OF the
country, and that, too, after vainly seeking
peace aud happiness elsewhcres BE assu' ed
therefore, that, as a general rule, every
young man who leaves the farm for the coun-
ter, desk, physic or law, iorsakes certainty
for an uncertainty-and as to the extent Of
that uncertainty, et the idle, starving thou
sands of our large cities answer.
And yet, if a young man has decided
taste-an unconquerabIe incIination-ior this
or that business or profession, it is perhaps
best to give it a fair trial-espcclaly as, uIl-
less our large towns occasionally receive re-
cruits from the country. they will ere loug
have no robust, enteeprising (and | had al
most said respectfully citizens. But there
are other TENS worthy of consideration
For example, those who wish to " live long
in the land" would do well to look at the
comparative duration Of life among the va
rious occupations. The census eff one of our
States-Massp chusetts, l beleve-glves the
average life of Farmers to be 60 years; Mer-
chants, so Mechanics, 45. In these days
of progress Is or 30 years is certainly all
item OF some moment-a most potent argu.
ment in favor Of rural lille and its pursuits.
The poet has beautifully and truthfully said
"wuold you be strong 60 follow the pillow
Would you be thoughtful study fields and flowers
Void you be tUise Take on yourself vow
To go to school in Natures sunny bowers.
Fly from the cty-nothing there charm;
Seek ls,lom Strength and Virtue a Farm"
Young men, ponder well before you decide
this question Of a change IRON country to city
for it is a matter OF lifelong Importance