Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1878-11-23
"Gite the Boys A Chance"


times is higher degrs of menta
training in those who e e engaged it
agricultural pursuits. The influence
of the agricultural class is not felt al
1t should be 10 framing our laws, and
shaping the policy of our government
simply because the trained intellect o
our country is largely to be found iu
other walks Of life /; and, disguise it as
we may. mental training always car.
ries with it power and influence The
class which furnishes the creates:
number Of intellectual athletes will
always rule Education does not
furnish brains-it Cannot supercede
the necessity Of fair natural talent
but as the man of average physical
strength who has been trained in the
art Of boxing is more than q match
for half.dOzen awkward assailsnts,
so the man of ordinary talent who has
enjoyed the advantage Of q thorough
mental training, knows how to use
effectually the ability with which ma.
ture has endowed him.
Farmers should realize these facts :
and, instead Of simply scoiding aud
finding fault with tho present order Of
things, they should set themselves to
work to apply the remedy. Give the
boys that are on the farm q chaucc
for intellectual culture. If possible,
send them to good college-nOt to
learn how to pl0w and SOW, because
any thrifty farmer can teach that bet.
ter than the average college professor,
but to learn those things which they
caunot learn on the farm-.to 60 through
that process of mental training which
will add 80 largely to their real intel.
lectusl power, and, consequently, to
their influence. Send them, if posi-.
bic. to such institutions as give espe.
cial prominence to tho industrial arts
and to the sciences that bear upon sg-
riculture-where the esprit-de-corps is
thoroughly in harmony wish agricp&:
tursl pursuits-let them 20 with the
understanding that tho object of their
going is that they may become better,
stronger. and more useful men. Seed
them where the intellectual atr,os-
phere is permeated with the idea that
agriculture furnishes as inviting a
field for ambitious, aspiring young
men rs any of the so-called learned
professions. and we shall End these
trained intellectual athletes returning
to the farm and engaging 10 agricul-
tural pursuits, and in time welding a
Influence in public affairs
thoroughly understanding the great
interest they represent. and knowing
how to advocate that interest eifectu.
ally. instead of thronging. as now,
Lbe already crowded proft ssions of
Medicine and law.
The point we wish to make promi-
nent is. that it is the superior mental
training which . majority of "profes-
'ional" men receive in early life which
enables them to exercise 80 command.
Dg an influence in public affairs and
hat farmers sons-wbo are to be the |
armcrs and Legislators of tho future |
.must receive an education equally |
's broad and liberal, If they are ex.
,ected to cope with these trained 10.
elects on equal terms. Young men
10 pot, as rule. study law or msdi- !
.ine until the mind has been thoroughly |
for such studies by . vigor-
'us training Of four or Eve years in q
rood institution of learuiog; aud the
srmer's son who expects to devote
lis life mainly to agricultural pursuits
reeds an intellectual training not ma.
erially different from that which is
leemed essential to success elsewhere,
o enable him to make bis influence
elt upon society and the world. The
mental trainiog-the preparation
be real and solid foundation, is what
s wanted 6rst. and the special stud.
es which are designed to Ct him for
lis particular calling, very properly
osaa in aftsrward