The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-10-22

through myriad centuries, but la
Dor has wrought its task blindfolded
by Ignorance and borne its heavy
burdens without relief from the
bend of science, The common
pillow, that UNIVERSAL forerunner of
national GREATNESS and of all human
elevation, remains the same con-
temptible contrivance now through
out the East that it was when
Joseph's brethren watered their
camels at the Nile on their journey
to Egypt in quest of corn. The in
habitants Of Persia, Arabia, China,
Turkey and Japan have known no
aid from invention in the tlllage of
the soil. The result is. that though
they are the oldest offspring in the
human family, they are still SO far
in the rear as to be not much con-
sidered in the active and practical
thought of the world. We are often
cited to the ancient achievements of
Egypt, as evidence of the superior
ity of antiquity over modern pro-
gress. 1t Is very difficult for me to
believe in the mental cultivation of
a people who worshipped 6roco-
dies and who did not know that
the rains in the mountains caused
the Nile to overflow. The traveller
Who is always in search of the Curl
Gus, and not Of the Useful points in
wonder and awe to the pyramids,
but if in his zeal he could find on
their base some hieroglphic, some
dekiee, des;r9i or drawing as evil
dence thai, .fhe Egyptians, some.
time in their history, had built a
corn planter or a cotton gin, reap
er OF, a thrashing machine, or in
vented some simple thing ike re-
volving "a ke or cotton press, their
claims to high civilization would
have a reasonable and strong found
alton on which to rest. In the alb
sence, however, of all proof Of any
such improvements in agriculture,
it is safe to assume that distance,
and not merit lends entertainments
to our views When we dwell upon
Egyptian history. And may we
not venture to inquire whether
much, if any more, can be truthfully
claimed for the agricultural inn
Provements of Greece or Rome?
"Thislo course, is sacred ground |
with the old Antiquarian who sees
nothing great that is not venefa bic. |
and also with the young who still |
remember that Virgil and Horace
wrote pastoral poetry, and that
and Cicero indited |
charming letters to their friends on
the beauties of rural life, but after |
listening with delight to the elo-
luence of their orators, and to the
music of their poets; after
witnessing the mastering of
heir warlike legions and their
battles OF conquest, rapine and
olunder as well as their defense
against final overthrow; after wan
iering through stately rains of their
and sculpture, L chal
enge the facts Of their rast and far
eaching histories in proof OF the
treat foundation element of real
rational strength, prosperity and
durability were wanting at every
tage of both Grecian and Roman
utilization. Description of the
armirlg implements of those
lassic lands have descended 20 rs.
nd we have examined them with |
curious mixture of incredibly and
erision. The oxen, with straight
oke attached to a mean, primitive
low, merely scratching the surface
f fields of unending fertility, mark
he weakness OF a people at the
ONT where they must be strongest
order to achieve permanent DOW
and glory. Their historians have
ainted their marches and their bat
es IN everlasting colors; their off J
srs have discussed public affairs in /
tty and immortal tones; their DO :
S and dramatists have delineated /
lie passions Of the human heart in r
i its moods, but where in the /
,untry of Themistocles or Caesar
i'll be found the record of the c
|orld's Fair, or in an exposition Of g
e triumphs of productive labor, c
a display of mechanical improve a
ents, the result of inventive genius b
aid of husbandry? No response h
mes to this question save the de- n
ne and downfall of governments v
hich rested their claims to great b
SIS and power on the victories of
ar instead of upon the more re- o
wned victories Of peace" t.
Ao Able Speech. K