Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-11-05
The Criterion of Nobilit y

Agriculture supplies US with the
means Of existence not only, but with
most of the materials necessary to our
comfort and luxury. 1t has often been
termed ''the noblest of mans pursuits
and truly SO, if those words are rightly
interpreted Every pursuit, calling or
labor in life that contributes to the ex-
istence, the we'll being, the comfort,
education or advancement of mankind,
has eqaal claims to our regard and es-
TEEN. The hired day laborer who with
frugal and scanty means supports his
family by toiling for his fellow man In
Ia thousand different ways and manners;
the mechanic and artifcer who labor
ingeniously in their work shops;
the farmer who diligently sup
plies man with means of subsistence and
with raw material for other necessaries,
comforts and Injuries Of life; the mer-
chant and trader who facilitate the ex-
change Of nature products and mans
possessions; the officers, statesmen, law
yer and lawgiver who labor in the MAX
ing, application and execution of the
laws under whose protection we are en-
abled to live in peace and obtain redress
for wrongs the soldier who risks his
life to protect his country against for
eign invasion and internal dissension
and anarchy; the artist whose works
gladden. and instruct us the philosoph-
er whose patient studies reveal to us the
| laws Of nature the teacher who instructs
the rising generation; and all others
who, in whatever honorable and honest
profession, labor or pursuit in lite, assist
in maintaining or elevating mankind,
are equally worthy Of and equally en-
titled to our respect. In the true con-
dition of things, we should not make
| invidious distinctions between the dit
ferent callings of men; natures true
noblemen may be found among the la
borers upon any field Of industry they
are not confined to this or that particu-
| lar vocation in life.
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotleSS reputation; that away,
Men are but gilded loan or painted clay.
That is the true criterion of mans
nobility. Idlers, the drones of society,
who cheat God, nature and man, OF the
value Of their existence, have little claim
to our esteem and yet by a strange
perversion Of things and misapplication
of terms, in many countries the title
"noblemen" is confined to a certain class
who despise manual labor and largely
consist of idlers and truants.
But in more limited sense, without
casting reflections upon other branches
of industry, we may speak of the nob1l-
ity of the pursuit Of agriculture. Its
constant intercourse with nature tends
to enoble the mind Of man. Who, that
has on bright summer morning walk
ed out upon the open fields when the
glittering dew-drops hung upon every
leaf and stalk, when the pure air of
heaven seems to penetrate, purify and
invigorate our very being, has not felt
that nature indeed is the temple fGod.
When the pale and toiling multitudes
of cities, pent up in their narrow and
over crowded streets and houses, walk
forth upon their daily errands into their
dingy workshops and noisy factories,
where the bright rays of the sun scarce
" ever cast furtive glance dimmed
| by thick and smoky atmospheres, there
to resume their monotinous occupation,
the hale and hearty husbandman is per-
mitted to breathe the pure air Of nature
while pursuing his daily labor surround
! cd hv the unite scenes Of a peaceful
country life. Simplicity of manners,
honesty and purity of character, have
ever marked rural population in all
countries and in all ages, and hence we
may well speak of the nobility Of Agri-
culture And in another sense may this
term be properly applied, when we think
of the antiquity ofhusBandry; for what
ever appears before us clad in the ven
erable habiliments Of by-gone centuries,
readily suggests noble origin-Gov.
| ,Sa1onaon.