The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-06-13
Che 1eluofrat.
JUNE l3, 1873.
rnE rAasI AND THE pnorHssross.

The mania Tor rushing into the pro
fessions, or cmbarking in some other
line Of business than. the pursuit Of
agriculture, continues 10 infect the
SONS of the farmers of the country
In this State, and in all the Western
States, there seems TO be a DISPOSE
ticn among parents, who have sons 10
rear and educate, TO prepare them fol
some profession, rather than instill in.
to their minds loeo for the equally
honorable business ofthe farm. This
is attributable more to the oppressive
influence of transportation ,nonopo-
lies than to any other cause. The far
MGR sees the product of his industry
counted into the tills of privileged
corporations by the delicate hands OF
salaried and insolent upstar,s and he
determines that his son shall not be
subject TO like imposition. Hence the
young man IS imperiectly educated at
some rural educational institution, sent
10 the city to study law or medicine,
and turned out upon The wo:ld to
make his living by his wits. In every
city and town can be found young
men thus educated aud thus prepared
to grapple with the world. A few
succeed, while others become discour-
aged, and, after losing the best years
of their lives in truitless endeavor 10
overcome impossibilities, they turn
their attention 10 some other pursuit,
for which they have neither taste nor
qualification. Many, alas, too many.
fall into habits OF dissipation and be.
come wrecks on life's shore before the
voyage is hall. completed.
The facts we have here stated are
as patent as they are painful TO those
who feel an interest in the welfare of
the youth of the country, and who
have discrimination enough 10 detect
an evil when they see il. The subject
is one which should receive the seri-
Gus consideration OF every philanthro-
pist. We commend il TO the
Oranges which are being organized in
all parts of the country, and the Clubs
which are being formed for the pro-
lection of the rights and interests of
the farmer. lie. the youth OF the
country be taught that the road To
distinction anil honor is no where safer
than where it leads along the high
ways of agriculture and active indus
Try. Let every boy have the advan-
tage of a good English education, or
let him graduate from College. il his
circumstances, or those of his parents
justify such an additional expense,
but don't permit him to become VIC
tim of the popular delusion that by
studying proiessioa alone, he can
win honorable distinction in life
Rather let the lesson be incnlcated
that The safest and surest path to that
coveted goal is TO be found in the
healthlul, yirtue-inspiring pursuits
of the farm. Nine times out of ten,
it will be found that our successful
professional men combine with a
knowledge of their profession. the
practical experience of the farmer or
ahe mechanic. If young man is en-
dowed with gifts, requisite for the
rostrum or the bar, there is gener-
ally. if not always, implanted in bis
breast an ambition 10 cultivate those
bestowments of nature. But no &C.
quired or artificial accomplishments
can supply a deficiency in this respect.
The experience of ihe world has gen.
orally proved that it is the safest plan
to give boy liberal education, such
as is in reach of all, 10 impIant in his
mind correct moral principles, and
then permit him to select for himself,
among the asocations OF life, the busi-
ness, he desires TO pursue. Whether
the boy is pcrmittea TO do this or not
by his parents. he is certaia TO fall on
his own resources when he passes
from parental control. and will inyari-
ably counsel his own peculiar inclina-
ton in such matters. This being
true. the dignity of labor. and the hon.
or which is 10 be attained in the vari-
ed pursuits of agriculture, should be
the cfiieffessen taught those whe are
SOON 10 take an active part ether in
perpetuaiing or destroying ous free
institutions. Instead of despairiDg- of
being able to. redeem themselves
from the preseao oppressive influence
of monopolics, which has paralyzed
their industry and rendered farming
unfruitfnl to those who make il their
business, farmers should make nse
of the power they possess to assert
the dignity of their calling and teach
their sons, as they grow up 10 maa's
estate, that there is no more certain
road to success than is foitad ia iatel.
ligent, economical farming. There is
no danger of spelling good lawyer,
doctor or minister by teaching boy
to plow, to- SOW and 10 reap. The