136 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



study in our common schools, the best results might be confi- 

 dently anticipated. Possibly some may consider this a useless 

 appendage to the studies now pursued. They may think that 

 a boy can learn enough of agriculture on the farm, without the 

 study of books. But if I have rightly estimated the influence 

 of books on the choice of pursuits, then this study, so far from 

 being useless, will be found an important auxiliary to an inter- 

 est from which other interests are annually abstracting much of 

 the best talent. 



It is Mind that gives man his supremacy. It is developed 

 intellect that lifts one man above another, and procures for the 

 individual unblest with this world's abundance, respect, honor, 

 influence and consideration that wealth can never purchase. I 

 would have the humblest farmer's boy, by education, raised to 

 a level with his more favored fellow. I would give him a fair 

 start in the world; a fair chance to be felt, through the influ- 

 ence of his talents, in the assembly of his townsmen, or in the 

 halls of legislation. I would have every farmer's son know 

 enough of chemistry, to analyze soils, and prepare composts ; 

 enough of geology, to understand the origin and nature of soils; 

 enough of botany, to understand the structure of plants and 

 flowers, and to classify them; enough of natural history, to 

 know the habits of the animal, feathered and insect tribes; 

 and enough of physiology, to recognize the laws of health, and 

 the secret of prolonged life. In a word, I would have him a 

 perfect master of his noble calling, so far as depends on educa- 

 tion. And it is for this reason, that I desire to see our common 

 schools, where the majority of our children, and nearly every 

 farmer's son receives his entire education, fostered with increas- 

 ing care, and made equal to the highest intellectual cultivation 

 that stops short of the university. I insist upon this high 

 standard, because intelligent labor is better and cheaper for 

 those who hire, than ignorant ; because I wish to see agricul- 

 ture placed in its true position before the world, and dignified 

 in the eyes of its own sons ; because I would banish forever 

 the false notion, that physical toil is incompatible with intel- 

 lectual culture ; and because I would not have withdrawn 

 from the plough, one ray of the glory that encircled it, when 



