AGRICULTURE. 



I. 



CULTIVATORS,— THE GREAT INDUSTRIAL CLASS 

 OF AMERICA. 



June, 1848. * 



AT this moment, when, the old world's monarchical institutions 

 are fast faUing to pieces, it. is interesting to looi at home, at 

 the prosperous and happy condition of our new-world republic. 



Abroad, the sovereign springs from a privileged class, and holds, 

 his position by the Jbrce of the army. His state and government 

 are supported by heavy taxes, wi-ung from the laboring classes, often 

 entirely without their consent. At home, the people are the sover- 

 eign power. The safety of their government lies in their own intel- 

 ligence ; and the taxes paid for the maintenance of public order, or 

 to create public works, fall with no heavy or unequal pressure, but 

 are wisely and justly distributed throughout all classes of society. 



In the United States, the industrial classes are the true sover- 

 eigns. Idleness is a condition so unrecognized and unrespected 

 with us, that the few professing it find themselves immediately 

 thrown out of the great machine of active life which constitutes 

 American society. Hence, an idle man is a cipher. Work he 

 must, either with his head, his hands, or his capital ; work in some 

 mode or other, or he is a dethroned sovereign. The practical and 

 busy spirit of our people repudiates him, and he is of no more abso- 

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