Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-02-11
AerzcuHurak


The prime object of organized society Is
to increase social progress, to strengthen
the bond of unity, and cement civilized
communities. Organizations established for
the production of physical necessities, as
well as for the cultivation of our mental
and moral nature, is one of the most prom
inent pillars of civilization. And the fact
il too often overlo ked, that the poorest la
borer and the richest capitalist are Joint
partners in the firm of human society. The
illiterate emigrant, with strong sinews and
powers OF endurance, is no less useful than
the educated capitalist, whose wealth and
skill are employed to give direction to his
labor. The rude quarry cannot be convert
ed into the stately mansion by the scientific
skill of the architect alone, any more than
the ignorant laborer can plan the diversi-
fed parts necessary to complete the super
structure. The hardy sailor who is imper-
yious to storms of sleet or dashing waves
that madly foam across the deck, may he
altogether unfit to direct ship across the
trackless seas, without the nautical skill OF
the practical mariner. So, too, the best
farmer Is he who combines the most scien-
tifc knowledge Of fertilizing substances
that produce the various crops, with active
and energetic labor. The same will apply
with equal force to mechanics. The mind
must first comprehend the various powers
and movements of the machine, or his arti-
san skill cannot construct the several parts.
But mental culture does not attain its
chief end by making us good farmers, good
mechanics, or good artists, but good men
Education, and a moral and social inter
course with our fellow men, is the absolute
right of every individual. And that right
cannot be withheld from any class of oiti
zens without doing violence to the law o.
humanity and the law of society. Oul
form of government has its dangers rs wei
as its blessings, and the fact is patent, thai
just in proportion as the masses are edu.
Gated, and the principles of justice, and an
enlightened system of ethics, are incorpo.
rated into the every day course of practice
towards the ignorant laboring classes, will
the one be most efiectually averted and tn,
other secured. An ignorant and unculti
waited mind is the native soil of sensuality
and crime.
moments reflection will serve to show
the system of farming generally adopted Al
the present day in this country is deterio
rating tho natural productive power of tn,
soil. The country is comparatively new
and the people grasping and avarcious
always looking out for the greatest amount
of profit for the labor performed; cropping
their farms, in too many cases, without O
corresponding remuneration to the soil
forgetting that, in every such instance
while they realize a profit in the sale OF
their crop, they have actually sold the pro-
ductive power of their farm by the bushel
to the full extent of their profit. This prac-
tice has driven farmers 10 the necessity OF
purchasing fresh and uncultivated fields in
order to supply their waning crop. Farm
ers often commit grave error by buying
out their neighbors to enlarge their farms
instead of employing the same amount o
capital to hire labor TO more thoroughly
cultivate the land already owned. II.
ITO be continued.)