Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-15

man States. This could only be 81 Jplied Il
them by development of the influence anC
by the political education OF the inhabitant
Of the rural districts.
This element has been and is the corner
stone OF the establishment and maintenance
of the free Institutions Of the people of the
United States, whose prosperity and advance
ment under a republican form of government
have been THEN pride, as well as the aston.
ishment Of the world, and the hope of the op-
pressed Of other nations. Favored by large
extent of country yet unimproved, whose
natural and vast resources were gradually
explored, developed and turned to profit
by the rapidly increasing population,
new republics were constantly added to the
Union, thus drawing off the superfuous and
crowding population Of the older States, in
termixing it largely with the new and sturdy
immigration of European countries, whose
love of political freedom and independence
drove them across the Atlantic, as the fathers
of this Republic had been driven before them.
and renewing and increasing in strength in
the vast prairies and forests of the West, a
truly democratic and republican spirit of in
dependence and political liberty Glorious,
unexampled, has been the progress of this
Republic; seeming to gain strength in the
truth OF It's principles of political freedom
and equality as it extended in area, in popu-
lation, wealth and civilization.
Here let US pause for moment and not
forget to pay proper and well-deserved tri-
butte to another important agency in the de-
velopmcnt of the resources and wealth of
this new continent, and in its advancement in
civilization. | refer to the Mechanic -4rts.
Truly has your Society, representing and fos-
tering the agricultural and mechanical inter
ests of your beautiful and fertile county,
chosen as its motto: " Agriculture, the foun-
datlon OF society; mechanics, the lever of
ciyiliZationn ~
1t has been well said, and often proved
true, that necessity is the mother of inven-
ton. American ingenuity and inventive gen
ius, so well known and recognized as pecu-
liar attribute Of the American character. owes
its existence undoubtedly in a large measure
to this same and ancient cause of great
many things and a great many events in life
and histOry,-necessity. The population of
this continent, sparse and dependent upon
their own labor, with vast extent of uncul-
tiyated ground and other natural resources
about them constantly inviting their restless
energies to turn them to account and adyan-
tage, yet deprived to great degree Of the
ordinary assistance of hired labor, so abund-
ant and so cheapiy procured in older cOun-
tries, naturally sought to supply its want by
mechanism of all kinds. Without the mani
fold inventions which cheaper labor and pro-
duce such wonderful and astonishing results,
and which we meet in all branches of Ameri-
can industry, the natural advantages and hid
den treasures Of our virgin soil would Of ne
cessity have remained barren and unimproyed
IN great measure. Only contemplate the
effects produced upon modern agriculture on
this continent by the application of machine
~ unknown to former generations, and which
has taken the place of thousands of busy arms.
The ingenuity Of the mechanic has supplied
the farmer with improved implements Of ag-
and machines, that with their aid
from the ploughing and sowing of the ground
to the reaping of the harvest and securing
and preparing the fruit ready for the market
the results OF single mans labor are multi
piled to an almost incredible extent What
picture would this country present with its
present mechanical convenicnces in every de-
partment Of industry and life, if we were sud
denly deprived Of the advantage secured by
the inventions of the last fifty years? In the
rapid advancement and growth Of civiliza-
ton, the mechanic arts stand in the foremost
rank. Upon the corner stone of agriculture,
mechanics rear the solid structure OF civilized
society, ornamented with many a beautiful
niche wherein stand science and learning and
all the arts and graoes that adorn mankind
an imposing edlhce Ill which the goddess of
liberty will once dwell secure against the
temptsts of time and the wiles of the ambi-
tious The greasy mechanic will occupy a
place in history far above that of the vain
coxcQmb and the supercilious aristocrat who
believes his dignity impaired by touching the
hard, but honest and industrious hand Of his
teliOw-man.
In order, however, that the farmer and the
mechanic may occupy and maintain the place
which righttully belongs to them in society,
1t is necessary that they should endeaVor to
acquire and extend among themselves that
general knC Wedge OF things and cultivation
OF the mind and manners which we compre-
bend under the term "educatlon." Conscious
OF the Importance of their position, and the
influence they may WELD, they shonld not
contine themselves exclusively to the study
OF their own particular pursuits, and to the
increase of their worldly possessions Intel
lgence and education are not and should not
be confined to any particular classes in So
ciety. We cannot all be statesmen and men
OF science, but we can all constantly enlarge
the boundaries of our knowledge and intor-
nation to the best of our ability. True grace
OF manners, even, may be found in every
walk of life, though too little attention per-
haps is paid by most men to its Development
have seen the wild Indian, the uncuItivated
son of nature exhibit natural elegance of
manners, combined with great eloquence of
speech, that would shame many a noted pub
lie speaker amongst US He had not studied
his motions before mirror, but he had sim
ply retained that natural grace aud dignity of
demeanor which God has given to his image,
man, but which we often allow to be des-
troyed by false examples, and by initiating
as peculiar or original what is simply unnat-
ural and ungracetul. Why should we be
rude TO our tellow-men, when we may as well
be civil? There is no merit in rudeness of
manner or speech, and no advantage gained
byit. True dignity Of character and courtesy
Of demeanor, is as far from afiectation and
foppery as it is from rudeness, boorish ar
rogance or asperity; it is simple and natural,
modest, yet conscious of mans value as ra-
.ional or educated being. 1t can be, and
should be practised by all men, in all classes
OF society, for it requires no particular or ex-
pensiye study; it is truly republican in its
nature, for it recognizes in every man an
equal who is entitled to our regard and civil
lty, while 1t adds many charms to the inter-
course of men.
Education has, however, much broader
field than the mere cultivation and refinement
of manners; it comprehends all instruction
and discipline which enlightens and cult
Yates the mind; chiefly applied to the men
tai training Of youth, it is taught in schools |
and colleges, yet in a more comprehensive
sense it should never cease to be pursued |
through life. If you would bring up your
children that they may be an honor to them |
selves and you, do not neglect their early ed |