East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1866-10-11

gality and careful saving which are
taught among the first lessons OF
practical agriculture in the frequent
occasions for the exercise of mechani-
cal ingenuity; in the constant exigency
to overcome obstacles of some sort,
there is n training singularly adapted
to produce practical and courageous
and self-reliant spirits. The open
country is their domain, here, apart
from the baneft,l influences of the
crow ded town, they build their homes,
set up their household gods, and quiet
ly pursue their husbandry here, they
have such immunity from temptation,
such experience to foster and mature
every manly element of character, that
emphatically farming is the nursery
receiTdlg esifT9lg4GHta 4GHta Rqsss9alneG tbs tdhsya adeaYaages
of thorough scholarship in the sciences
as it is to be hoped they will, they
have had excellent practical teaching.
From such auspicious nurture, they
have brought robust bodies, and sound
minds, to execute the bold enterprises
that have given character, and added
lustre to the American name. Such
aids they have brought to the service
of their country in times of peril T; such
qualifications to receive culture, and
to adorn and discharge her high Off
ces, in times of peace. Possessing
such stamina, they have led the way
beyond the frontier, to form new settle
ments by smoothing the a>perities OF
the Wilderness for more timid and
delicate followers.
1t is only few years ago that that
portion Of our extended country dis
ringuished as the northwest, of which
tho Peninsular State is constituent
part, was, to the popular mind, terra
i'eogn'ta, there, savages and beasts
of prey held undisputed dominion.
Though now and then penetrated by
fur-traders, and by an occasional mis-
sionary, it was regarded as a vast
distance from civilization, unlikely to
be generally visited, and much less
likely to be peopled, within any period
of the future then definitely anticipat-
ed How far in advance of such
moderate expectations is the spectacle
of the present. That wide region has
been invaded BY adventurous spirits
and the Nimrods soon took notice to
quit. That vast wilderness has been
converted into fruitful fields, neatly
every p TT has been traversed by ave-
nues for convenient travel and access.
The ak of the pioneer has leyeled the
redundant forests, Unlimited agrioul-
tural resources have been discovered
and largely improved by an enterpris-
ing population. Orchards have been
planted, smiling landscapes developed
and the general prospect clothed with
less sources of wealth in minerals,
timber and fish have been brought to
light; cities have sprung into exist
ence as 10y the touch Of an enchanter's
wand, rivaling in population and the
importance of their commerce, many
on the sea-board that have been
struggling forward almost from the
landing of the Pilgrims; political COM
munitios have been founded possessing
almost preponderating weight in the
great family of States.
Persons devoted TO commerce and
the mechanic arts did not initiate this
startling dcvelopement. they, being
dependent upon agriculture, do not
precede it into new country, they
follow in is wake. This rapid expan'
sion of our population and their wide
spread improvement are to be ascrlbec
TO the stout hearted enterprise of far
mers. They have led and sustained
the tide of emigration westward from
over populated districts, and drawn
hither every other industrial, social
and business element, tEat co-workinl
have produced such astonishing re
suits. The pioneer record is peculiar
ly theirs. Great energy, a contemp
for hardships, privations and danger
and fortitude to endure disease an
other and countless discouforts, fami
liar to the early settlers Of a country
distinguish them in an eminent degree
Every locality has some interestin.
reminiscence OF tradition Of thes
daurtless men. The impress of thei
|, plucky experience is fixed iDdelibly o
the public mind in the towns and coun
ties in which they were among tn
first to live and labor. Though the
may not rank with Putnam and Boon
of national fame, in respect to Tn
| brilliant incidents and achievement
of their pioneer lives; still their memo
Q ries are long cherished with affection
|, ate and pdmiring interest, and honore
as our country ever honors the brav
) and the deserving.
Agriculture, wherever it is practics
!. BILE, is great and endearing loc'
S interest. A district or country whic
i admits of no profitable cultivation {
: the soil, and where therefore it is nes
n leoted, can possess 10 attraction to
!. permanent population, unless indec
d its mines, its lumber or its salt foul
:. tains, may SO stimulate the greed II
Q wealth as to overcome q natural repul
It nance TO being separated from til
h source of supplies, and the rur'
70 charms ever associated with the lab
% of the husbandman.
1t A man may wander into rcmo
$. parts of the earth as a traveller, whe
ID for the time being he will lose sig
s. of farms and where he will be oblig'
4 to deny himself the food and comfoi
s, they afford. He may consent to pros
10 cute lucrative business in an unho
n pitable cline, or where farming
W wholly neglected, and its products CT
he only be obtained by long transport
o, ton and at exorbitant prices, but
NJ will not prolong his sojourn after
ey has satisfied his curiosity, or succce
ldf ed in his temporary purpose.
'ir Permanent and successful agric'
on ture pre-supposes the local existet