The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-11-07
The SATISFACTION
Cf the
Farmers Life
BY soLoN o. THATCHER.

What | think we have a right TO say
in behalf OF 4. greater exaltation and
love for an agricultural life is this. that
in the main it is better adapted to eS-
tablish in the human heart composure
self-rcliance and a general knowledge
OF wisdom for the mass OF wealth pro-
ducers than any other. II to this we
add the dignity. the sense OF proprie-
torship. OF him who owns the ground
his house is built upon. the gardens
that surround it. and the field whose
yellow fruits he stores in barns and
granaries, we invest the primal calling
among men with that historic nobil-
ity that rests upon the possession and
use OF land"
The Talmud says that "IIe who
walks daily over his estate, each time
finds a small coin" We may well
agree with Mr.. Lowell. who thought
the builders OF the republic great be-
cause they gave every man the chance
10 be a landowner, who made the trans
fers OF land easy, and put knowledge
within the reach OF all They clearly
understood what legal powers OF man.
hood were ministcrcd unto when men
were able to hold iec-simple title TO
their estates, and possessed the Prom
ethean fire TO guide and illumine their
way.
III the farmer returns are not great
they possess a degree OF certainty by
which he is sure 20 keep the wolf from
the door The fallacy in all OF this be
wailing the mcagcr income from the
fields and orchards OF the land lies in
the assumption that happiness depends
upon goodly possessions. Diogcncs,
with his tub and shirt asking AlcXan-
der 10 remove from his sunlight, in
cited the Macedonian conquercr to
cry out: III were not Alexander !
would be Diogcnes" The seat OF
peace. OF content. is in mans own
bosom and not in the mine, the ware
house. the granary, or bank vault
II is an old test not yet obsolete,
Better is little with righteousness
than greater revenues without right
At the bottom 81 many a dazzling for
tune lie diShouor. inhdelity, ialschood.
robbery, betrayal 81 a friend, and the
wreck Of the possessions OF the nm
wary What the farmer gains is laden
with sweet sunshine, the 2ephyrs Of
spring, and the fostering love OF all
natures gentle ministry. So that when
one takes account oi the compcnsa-
tons. mcu,al and spiritual, that come
to him whose daily bread comes from
honest toll. over him who lives By his
wits or is the Robin Hood OF society.
the balance throws high into the air
the one who lives by speculation or
adventure.
This paper must not end without a
brief recognition ut the progress IN
knowledge already made by Our farm
crS. and OF the urgent need OF larger
advances in the same direction. Ma
cauav tells OF the state OF agriculture
among our English ancestors three
centuries ago. Over their rude nipple
mcnts and careless hushandry. their
dim perception OF the value oi the ro-
tation of crops. VIC are more advanced
than they were beyond the primitive
tillagc 81 Egypt and Syria And yet
we are assured by Professor Rogers.
oi ONiurd that the Plantaganct kings,
scdulously enacted laws to stimulate
and foster industrial and agricultural
lie.
In our own age We are like the en-
Aldlll'N N'N'l' VIM N'hN li'lll ''Np
sleep the result OF 4 dusty and sun
heated journey, 10 find himself clothed
in royal robe, and lord 81 \ palace of
wide domains The sacrcdly guarded
secrets OF nature almost in day have
been revealed, and nos as IN no pro-
cccding years are the potent agencies
on earth, sea, air and sun bent To- the
service Of man Occult laws emerge
from their dead abui e, to become hand
maids OF mdu,tr' Tie or 1T refined
enjoyment Isolated facts have fallen
into scientific statements The very
nomenclature OF the new truths and
teachings staggcrs uur memory and
the invention, that minister to human
need or desire To- I'll ample pages in
government reports While every de
parimcu,-"i human cNcrtion has been
stips~ to intense energy. IN no one
seem So vast, So command
ING ~ the production at the fields
and pastures
The pr"digiuus possibilities Of this
great campaign IN the western part oi
this state, when soil so cxuhcrant
with plart lie +, touched hy iructiiyiup
,r,,.rs g.. ,.y. ir.,,.,l4, I.f.-. &C.. "a, d,