Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-02-15
The Dignity Of Agriculture.

AZ OhS VAAuS nlOoC hC(ulu W liz
farming community is an adequate ap-
probation Of the Importance and dignity
OF agriculture. With an increase Of in
telligence and of the studious spirit
among the cultivators of the soil, and
with a just estimate Of the profession,
agriculture would afford all the means
for the development of the noblest man.
hood and the security Of the greatest
happiness.
The c%ultiyatOr of his own farm is a
king over one subject, and that himself.
he lives under his own supreme dOmin-
ion. He is subordinate to no authority
but the king of kings. With rectitude
of life, the force of just laws does
not touch him. All other occupations
are dependent upon the public, and two
ed servants. The farmer, on the contra
~, looks only to God, to his own soil, to
his Independent labor. and to the phe-
nomena of nature for his support. He
is assured of his living, and, if he keeps
out of debt, of exemption from business
casualties and the dangers Of bank
ruptcy.
The moment that witnesses the rise
of a spirit Of dissatisfaction and disgust
for such an occupation, that moment
announces the opening of the epoch of
social and national decline. The fever
ish desire Of so many farmers sons to
find servile occupation in the town is a
fatal symptom. Every city is full of
young men seeking clerkships. ALouis-
vile journal recently said that even in
that small city $4,000 young men were
tramping the streets, vainly seeking po-
s%itions which are considered by a puer-
lie taste more gentcel than cultivation
of the soil.
All the WORKOUT Nations began their
decline at the moment when agriculture
was abandoned to services and slaves.
Previous to the commencement OF Ro-
man decay the most exalted citizens
were as proud Of the farmers occupa-
ton as of the soldiers profession. A
famous author tells us that ANGUS
Martius recommended to the people, as
next to religion, in Importance, the cul-
ture of the soil and the care of the
f1ocks.' The most illustrious names in
Roman history were given in conse-
quence of an excellence their posscssors
had obtained in the art Of raising partic-
ular cattle, or of cultivating particular
plants-such as Lentulus, Piso, Cicero,
~Cincinnatus, Terrannus, etc. In the
country no distinction existed, the titles
Of noble and pleblan, which prevailed in
the city, were merged in the general
name Of laborer. In those ages of sim
plicity the Romans were all laborers,
and the laborers were all soldiers. 1t Is
to this union hat the fine sentiment of
patriotism and virtue SO frequently dis
played in their history may be ascribed;
because, as Cicero justly observed, a
country life may be regarded as the
school of simplicity, temperance and
justice. The simple and moral life pro-
duced by agricultural occupations con
tinued until the introduction of luxury
into the State-that banc of National
and individual virtue.
Another writer says that when Ro-
man virtue was the purest the greatest
Generals cultivated their own farms. In
dustry and frugality were in high es-
TEEN. When our ancestors said Cato,
wished highly to praise a man they call
ed him a good farmer"
Leckey tells us that a Censor depriv-
ed a citizen of his vote because his gar
den was negligently cultivated.
W. make these references to Rome
because she was the greatest of the old
Nations, and her history was the most
replete with important lessons to us of
the American republic. Before the
commencement of her decline under
luxury, corruption, monopoly and slav-
cry, King Pyrrhus sent a messenger to
the Roman Senate to treat for peace,
and on his return the King asked him
what he had seen. Il have SEEN" he
replied, "a Senate full of Kings" Such
were they who had been bred to a%gricul-
ture and to arms. If all these Kings
did not cultivate their own farms with
their own hands, they were occasionally
compelled to call one from his pillow to
be Dictator in a National emergency.
Regulus, in the midst of his campaign
in Carthage, asked to come home be-
cause his farm was uncltivated and his
family would need bread. He was not
permitted to come home, but the Senate
took charge of his farm. That was
when the soldier served his country
without pay. No wonder such a people
conquered the world.
Everything in history, nature and in
philosophy appeals to the farmer to cul-
tivatc an unbounded esteem for his
occupation, and to exert himself, in CO.
operation with his fellow farmers, in
placing agriculture at the head of all
pursuits in honor and dignity. This
would afford the surest guaranty to pop
ular morality, public integrity and re-
publican perpctuity.- cincinnati En-
quiier.