The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-12-09

-,o,;an mnst he allowed 10 include this large anG
snectabIe concourse of citizens, each OF Whom Is di
recy indirectly interested III tue ica suDjeotS VI
are here to consider.
II was the very mildest form OF punishment in ou'
Heavenly Father-it was en- exhibition OF divine meF
~ and bepeyolence in the punishment of man-wher
od turned him cut OF Eden to make his living by tht
sweat Of his brew And from that day to this, through
ont all dispensations and generations to this period
the masses of havs been agricultufahss or if en-
gared in other mechanical, manufacturing CONNER
cal or professional pursuits, still life and energy was
gven and subsistence supplied for each-turnlshet
bv the agrlculturiSt
Heaven could not have displayed more compassion
ate beneyolence in Furnishing an offender than was dis
played IN giving paroe-the world as his iarst
bo6uas-the pleasant and healthy task of tilling the
carth and thereby supplying himself, his family ms
friends and bis country with the rch uxurant fruits
Of his feid-the work of his hands
Civil governments are called such only when they
take their places among the nations of the earth
AGRICULTURAL manufacturing and commercial peoples
and among these various pursuits, agriculture oecu
MES the most prominent place; for without the subsls
ie1ce furnished from the field of the thrifty farmer
the merchant, the mechanic, and the manufacturer
could no: find subsistence while engaged in their i'm
p0rtant and worthy vocations, essential to nation
1rospcritv The unciviIisad tribes of men engage in
agriculture only in the most rude, sothful and imper
feet manner still their dmiputive fields, thus ruicly
TILED blessed with the earlier and later rains yieldeC
their fruits-however snall-the petty chief calls his
Subjects and unlike the song they chant pleas
ant and lively song Of gratitude and praise to him
whom they ignoranty worship, IN what IS called lhe
green corn lance.
The crowns Of kings and emperors sit lightly on
their heads when the earth has yielded full and rich
supply, reward TO the frugal and industrious far
mer plenty is literally distributed to his loyal and vir
tuous subjects. But when the harvest fails, every de-
partment of the nation wealth comfort and prosperity
iangusbes his subjects with discontent while
the monarcs slu nbers interrupted. and he is only
apparently composed after Strengthening his body
pnard Bread riots become the order of the day. the
nations finances langEishes, gayety and amusements
are hushed into salen discontent and commerce sinks
under savish disappointment, while the shipping rot
in their dock yards and all channels OF transportation
IRE alike made to Join in universal financial sympathy.
Civil governments organised with legislative ju-
dcia and executive departments, and when properly
organised each engaged in promoting the national
welfare, by protecting aud encouraging agricultural
and manutacturin pursuits. Ministers appointed
foreign courts, TO protect the Seamen to transport
the productions and the busy merchantman 10 expor3
aud exchange the produce Of one country with another
Thus the machinery Of well organised governments
gves encouragement to their Industrious subjects, while
the exchange of commodities annually repenish the
treasures of each and gives energy checrulness and
happiness to the whole
The iudicious farmer is his own law-maker he is
his own judge, and governor Of his premises; he
changes his plans exercises Judgment, and governs at
his will. In word from the centre of his field all
round to his boundary lines, he is monarch of all he
surveys and is the lord of his fowls and his brutes
The home of the farmer is truly alitte city of com
nerce: he imports from his field every article in its
crude state and cheerful happiness looms up in the
bosom of his household while they manufacture the
whole into family supplies, export the surplus in
tudes. HIS rich pasture fields added to his
grain crops, produce his pork, poultry, beef and NUT
ton. The cheerful milkmaid at early morning or at
evening twilight, summonsed by the faithful cows
return to replenis the dairy with the richest milk but
ter and cheese Thus is his little city filled wi tn all
that makes life desirable.
In the first settlement of this continent, by pio
neer fathers, it agriculture alone that gave sup
plies and prosperity. These products became so
great to invite manufactures These two depart
ments of industry harnonsed with and encouraged
aanh nth and their lnypd yGfd dppnndnnt cnlnuinc
prospered Nations stood amazed at their rapid growth
and their colonial and individual prOsperity ahd it
should be remembered that of the various pursuits of
men s. t4Fs :sr,entnrn alone
has furnished threeourths OF the nations finances:
which 1861 gave the best credit of any nation
earth Within the last four Years the great West
has been opened and is now recognized as the great
national granary presenting to the world seventy five
millions bushels of surplus wheat and other grsins
The South is well supplied and all Europe smiles over
her barns of plenty. This great national and indyid
ua! comfort is the result of well applied agricultural
industry With proper legislation, protection and
couragement applied to southern energy although
war has drenched the land with blood and the rays Of
conentment obscured for season. still the of
political, NATIONAL agricultural and individual prosper
ty will soon arise, dspel the gloom revive our droop
ing spirits, quicken energies and elevate to the
full enjoyment OF peace and plenty. And although
political prescription, like Yesuvus NAV pour down It's
burning lava of hate to blast oUr hopes, deter and dis
arm our energies and the ploughshare of ruin may
make long and deepfurrows III private and political
fortunes; while their harrows acerate our better SEN
sbltles, scattering the scany supply left US by the
arbitrary heel of the horse, will nevertheless
teach our children the lessons of Franklin to pillow
deep while demagogues and tYrants sleep, and viii
have corn to sell and to keep.
| remarked in the beginning that God exercised his
mercy in the punishment Of man, when he made him a
tiler of the ground; but it had blended with it de-
gree Of Infinite wisdom, drawing him away in advance
from the guilty multitudes of evil doers to the rural
districts Of virtuous solitude the better to enable him
to cultivate those noble attributes Of the soul-fath
hope and charity. Being told to SOW thy seed in the
hold
seed time and harvest rain hej just and unjust, be-
ng promised and fulfilled confidence is awakened and
ath established in the teachings and promises of his
Divine Preceptor. No emp1oyment-no vocation-is
better calculated TO cultivate hope than that of the ag
ricuturast. His desire is abiding and steadfast his
exp station almost that of demonstration These two
-de'1re ana expectatlon-to toe basis of hope,
establish the fact of the farmers avocaon being high
y fay orabe to the cultivation of tAose characteristics
mat are the better intended TO Ting him back to his
TOD But the GROWING characteristic is that of chari
~ which when properly cultivated in the school Of
'la ana Vlrtuous society, rpens into love-
md Feneraton for his God, and finds reciprocal re-
ponse from the Divine Being, in saying in thee am
ven pleased. Besides this employment gives the mind
uil scope for contemplating the laws Of nature, also
hose beautiful and useful sciences that SO eectually
'xpand the mind When he Watchfully observes the /
Rn, moon, stars, clouds and seasons he is taught
ronomy and philosophy when he tests the properties
md productions Of the soil, he becomes chemist,-
when lie burrows IN his sell, eistern ditch, be be-
ONES geolOgSt; and wher nhalIng the fragrance of
he flowers OF spring he is taught botany, and cult
ates his tancyhis mind expands--then TRACING the /
'hole from nature up to natHres God, he may well
the great original proclaim. I
IN TIE rural districts we have grown up wisesS
tatesen abest orators and most profound moralists
nd when eternity unveils herself the masses ta viii
ne around the throne OF God will haze zone IN from
he ru! al districts; and the majority doubtless will have
scended from the humble cot of the poor and y;rtuous
armer. S
Agriculture is to the financial soyan,or,;, aud ,s
ona interest what the heart is to animal and nhssca
fe 1t forces the life drops thFong gh the arteries ard
ens and gives circulation, life, health and ENERGY to
he whole organization. 1t is as the lungs to animal
fe when IN healthy action, giving and comfort to
be systen but when deranged, respiration hurried
nd fererish sensations follow. When agriculture is
nsueeessfui, the Financial commercial and political
use beats fast and feTersh aniety and restessness
blow, while the whole national organization greans
nder the bghting touch. In q word, agsenlture is
be loadstoneor great centre of attraction manufae
lrers, naEigators, mechanics transportation conlpa
les bankers, brokers' professions, editors and credit
fact, every department of trade of business is at
acted 10 this heavenly directed VOCATION and voice
Jubilee Is heard from The private and public depart
rents of life, when 1t is proclaimed that the harFestis
GOD; and while millions OF the busy population are en-
aged IN gathering to their barns the fruits of their
' their hearts swell with gratitude to God for his
oHnteouS goodness.
ne great Roman Ciueinnatus, born to high position,
eteeeo the vocation OF ptoughnan and was found IN
~ held, when called to command the Roman army
tef victory perched upon his banner, and high aud
sung honor was rendered him, he declined it. and re-
Ined to his field. Again Rome demanded his servi-
- ~ nef Senate and when diseoFd, daness and lieen-