The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1869-12-10
Horace Greeley on Farming.

ico's on Saturday night, at which the
magnates Of the New York newspa-
per and periodical press-male and
temale-were present, one of the
toasts, "Country Farming and Citv
Editing" was specially provided for
MIR. Greeley, who, when called upon
replied as follows:
1 don't quite understand whether I
am expected to demonstrate an agroe-
ment or contrariety between these
two things. At any rate, if the pur.
poso of the sentiment is to affirm that
ono Of these pursuits is as delightful
and attractive as the other, 1 respect
fully non-concur. ]Laughter and ap-
plause.] As to city editing, I have
something more of it than have de-
sired, and moro than I could enjoy.
AS to my farming, there are gentle
men who have spoken of it rather
more freely than their limited knowl-
edge Of tho subject would admit. /
think I have seen some elaborate
statements Of the cost Of each turnip
-[laughter] ]-and these statements
were made by gentlemen who I was
not aware, were SO attentive to the
cost of things as these calculations
would seem to imply. I havo not
made any such calculations myself,
for I have been little shy of doing
30. [Laughter.]
Let me, however, say a few words
about country farming which is a thing
very much believe in. Having dono
some share of work in the world, I
lay down this proposition: That any
man or woman who can get their
work done by eight o'clock at night
need not consider their condition a
hard one. But when the work
stretches far into the night, to eleven,
twelve, one, two, three, it begins to be
irksome. find it irksome. lam not
now so fond of sitting up with a news
paper all night, or with anybody else.
This, then, I can say for country farm
ing, that while it has somo rugged rs
poets, and docs not promise any such
brilliant and rapid advances to fortune
as some Of our friends like to achieve
in Wall-street, it is just about the
safest and surest thing any one car
engage in; and it is moreover, q tran,
quill and certain delight to any human
being who can enjoy his own society,
[Laughter and applause.] My little
place while it is nothing to brag Of
[laughterEthere is this to be said
about it. I have got the most delight
full barn full of corn, rich, golden corn,
that ever you saw in your lives
Now, that is something achieved,
something to look at. I have been ut
work on the press for forty years
and this seems to be the hardship
You work for days, and months and
years, and what have you to show
Something, I hope, in mental growth
something in frmness Of purpose
something in clearness of intention
but outwardIy, nothing! Thirty
years have passed away, and where il
the fruit of all that labor How
can your labors compare with those
Of the man who hasproduced q book
And hero let me say that in my
judgment, no good book ever was O,
can be produced on the instigation oi
OF $4,000 check. Such books as
that Of John Bunyan have been pro
duced by authors who mover thought
they would get dime for them. Zap
plause.] Those are the books that
live. The books that the; $4,000
checks will buy-will they sell7
hope SO; but the world is charitable
aud soon forget them. Country farm.
ing will help also to develope one OF
the phases of the question of woman's
rights-wherein I have not so full q
part as some Of our friends would
wisk. Country farming gives just the
right field for the development of
your energies. lLaughter.] Lots of
you are wanted to take your part in
country farming. [Rehewed laugh.
teri You need not dispute nor clam.
or-there it is. "The world is all be.
fore You where to choose" Ifany la.
dy wants her rights-1 am a wood.
chopper-I surrender my share of
work. There are plenty Of opporta-
mites; so, then, why don't some of
our friends who want their rights
cone out into the country and take
them ? There need be no controver.
sy. Wide enough is the world and
there rs work enough for all. I hops
that some Of this din and controversy
will roll itself abroad in the country :;
and our excellent friend, "the. Last
best gift," and 80 on, will achieve her
rights with her own right hand,
[Grsat applause.] .T' =" @aH
a,a:. --$ps--'------ .,,