156 SELECTIONS FROM ADDESSES. 



the locks of the nation's strength would be shorn, and we should 

 shake ourselves in vain. Hence, as I have wandered over the 

 hills and valleys of our land, and have met by the wayside, 

 and on the farm, or in the meanest hovel, with children uncul- 

 tivated, and even repulsive in their appearance, yet healthy and 

 hardy, I have often felt for them no small degree of respect, 

 when I recollected that probably, under that rough exterior, there 

 lay concealed the future wealthy merchant, or eminent artizan, 

 or distinguished scholar. The refined city beau, or belle, may 

 indeed smile contemptuously at the uncouth manners of the 

 plough boy, who, on his first trip to the city, is staring about 

 the streets with half opened mouth ; but not unlikely that des- 

 pised rustic will one day rise far above them in wealth, learn- 

 ing, and respectability. At any rate, such transmutations are 

 of every day occurrence in the city. 



But let not the farmer vainly imagine, that because he fur- 

 nishes so important a part of the raw material of national pros- 

 perity, he is independent of that prosperity. Let incompetent, 

 or ambitious, or unprincipled men get the reins of government 

 into their hands; let them adopt measures that paralize com- 

 merce, shut up manufactories, discourage internal improve- 

 ments, and above all, plunge the nation into war; and the 

 farmer will find a worm at the root of his own prosperity and 

 happiness. His produce will rot on his hands, his income be 

 consumed by taxes, and his sons, instead of rising to respecta- 

 bility and influence in private life, will be made "food for pow- 

 der." In short, he will soon learn how intimate is the connec- 

 tion between his private fortunes and the state of the nation. 



The cause of education is regarded by all intelligent men, 

 especially in a country like our own, as one of the most impor- 

 tant of national interests ; and hence we should inquire what 

 influence is exerted upon it by agricultural pursuits. An emi- 

 nently salutary influence, is the decided reply. Especially is 

 this the case in respect to popular education, as appears from 

 several considerations. These pursuits, in the first place, afford 

 more of leisure for study than most others, since the hours of 

 active toil must be so much fewer than those of the waking pe- 

 riod of the day. The farmer, also, is ever in intimate communion 



