The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1884-03-26
An American Error.

A European observer and critic OF
American ideas, very justly observes
that it is a mistake in the youths OF
America to forsake the country II con-
gregate in cities and towns. 1t seems to
he n more universal practice in America
than elsewhere, and hence. our profess
are o~vercrowded, and all depart
ments of trade full to ov~crl3wing. The
truth is, there are only about two depart
ments Of business now open to the young
men of this country which offer much
induccment by way of compensation,
and these are teaching and farming. y
first class teacher with executive ability
has as encouraging a field to operate in,
as any now open. His talents will COM
mand q good salary, and such arc in de-
mand This department of business is
not q popular one and hence is overlook
ed to a great extent, as is that OF farming.
This latter is that which is condemned
and rejected Ivy the young; they have no
taste for the quiet, persiStent, systematic
work of the farm, but choose rather the
pleasures and excitement Of town life.
with its dangers. temptations. and fail
ures. The opposition to this pursuit in
life is based to a very great extent, also,
on the prevalent idea that it is not as re-
spectacle or honorable rs other callings.
Those in whose minds such ideas exist
are not fit and will not succeed anywhere.
There is something radically wrong in
their composition and will have to he re-
modelled before they are rarahle Of any
genuine success mt anything. The aver
sion to the life of the farm may. to great
extent, arise from the unskillful and I'M
intelligent manner in which its opera
tons are, almost universally, carried on.
Others seeing the mcagre results, and the
uninviting prospects of the years opera
tons are discouraged from entering upon
it. but rather turn away in despair. sup
posing that the results are all that the
hest skill and intelligent experience will
Weld but this is a fatal mistake. In
this Southern land there is no business
more improperly and specifically man
aged than that of the average farmer.
And yet there is no business which re-
Iuires the same extent of varied knowl-
edge, of executive ability and sterling
worth. This too, is the source OF all
wealth all professions, all departments
of trade, all classes and conditions Of so
cietv rest on this foundation for support.
The popularizing and development Of
this interest will contribute more to the
prosperity of the people than all the fac
tories that co%ld be erected. This inter-
est of the State ought to receive more ell
enlargement. An exemption of cotton
factories from taxation for ten years
would not have been needed if Agricul-
ture had been developed as it ought.
Money would have then sought invest
ments in the manufacture Of raw mate
rial from which it arose. 1t appears to
us that it is beginning at the wrong end to
foster other industries, with a view to the
products Of the farm, when the farm it.
self needs SO much. 1t is caring for the
branches when the trunk is dying. Why
not some exemptions in order to encour-
aye agriculture. We hope soon to see
the day when agriculture will be most
popular, because the most honorable,
pleasant and remunerating employment
Of the day, and when II intelligent, &C
tive young men will prefer it to drolling
out a miserable existence in some popu-
lar profession.