The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-02-08
Country Against Town Civilization.

Every State, which has risen since the
beginning Of time, has been marked by
one of two civilizations, or combination
of them, which in broad and general
classification, may be set down rs Il coun-
try and city civilization. The civiliza-
tion which has the greutest tendency to
develop and strengthen the virtues essen
tial to the life and health of State, is
the one to be preferred-the one to be
fostered; and say here to-day that this
is country civilization. And, although
1t ought not of course to be preferred and
fostered to the exclusion ofthe other
the beneficent work of which, rs an aux
iliary, Ia by no means small-yet, it
should, in all cases of combination, be
made vastly and heavily to preponderate.
But why do say that q country civiliza-
ton "a best adapted to the termination
and growth of these essential virtues
Because. while in city civilization, the
mind, through the grinding influences Of
trade and the polishing influences of cul-
tivated society, Is made sharp and keen
and bright, frequently at the expense of
its nioTo soiiis and robust parts, and still
more frequently ut the expense of physi-
cal and moral soundness and complete
ness; In % country civilization, there are
no influences, which must, of necessity,
be follcss cd by such, or similar, disastrous
results. In other words, while in city
ciyiliSaar<s only part, in acountry civ.
ilikatieS, the whole, Of the man can So a
general thing Se developed. Agriculture
furnishes, to those engaged in it, the
most abuutnnt facilities for the thorough
exercise Of every physical, mental and
moral qualification; in The ever-moving
and eveP-yarying iabols of ths field "a
the multifarions, and, at times, intricate
and refined improvements essential to
legitimate and successful farming; in the
application of science to the art of hus-
5sadry; IN opportunities for close and
systematic study, and for the acquisition
of popular and general information; and
in interpreting no bar, by its other iabors,
to ali necessary self.communings; and to
daily communin1gs with God, through
the medium of the Bible, amid the quiet
OF the snares and temptations. of the
ings with Him through that of nature;
mea full of physical, mental and moral
aonndnesa and vitality. Yes, the breath
ing Of country air, the exercise of coun-
try iabors, the inspiration of country
scenery are, had almost said, essential!
to the make up of the stalwart mobility of
uiaas.ad-the champions &C f.eed!ea..
the supporters of society; the savionrs of
States.
Notonly does history teach by exam
plea, which are indisputable, that o na.
tien, founded exclus!vely upon e city
civilization is snre to fall but it teaches
that o nation founded upon country
civilization is generally sure to prosper.
Take up the history of Rome! The
world lias never seen Iobler, truer,
braver. freer people, than were the men
of that State, in tia earlier days Of the
Republic; and, during that period, they
we're einphhtically an agricultural people.
The leading and best citizens did not
live in the city but In the country: aud
senators, coneqls and dictators worked as
ordinnsy lahurers in the fields. Ono of
the most distinguished or ItomaD authors,
in aliuding 70 this fact, with burst of
enthusiasm, exclnims: "thnt the earth,
glorioas In seeing he3self cultivated by
the hands of triumphant victoys, seemed
to make new efforts, and toproduce fruits
in greater abundanee," which, by the
way, was but sfgu selegaat sud poetic
method OF saying that the cultivationwas
Intelligent and thorough. The love OF
aueietit Roman leaders for county life,
country IahoTs and county, simplicity, Is
nnViy sTs s tiIs .a51. =
tered nv an old senator TO Appius CladfeA.
"Hefe,n said he, comparing the farm,
whore they cbaiiesd 70 be, with the mag.
niAeent county houses Of the other,
lcre Sye sec nEitheF painting, statptes,
carsiRg nor mosaic work, but TO make Us