Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1869 — FARM AND HOUSEHOLD. [ARTICLE]

FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

Farmers, Honor Tour Profession. On the part of many, farming is regarded as rather an ignoble employment; one that is to be followed only by those who are not smart enough to obtain a living in some other way. Even farmers themselves, a large portion of them, it is to be feared, share in this feeling, or at least have an ill-defined idea that their position in society isan inferior one. They have a secret thought that it is less noble to till tlie soil, culling Into being those products, which are in themselves the elements of life, and the basis of all wealth and prosperity, than it is to speculate or traffic in them after they are produced. They seem to think that it is less honor able to live by ministering to the real wants and necessities of mankind, than to the fanciful and oft times fictitious ones. It is not necessary to pile up proofs that the fanner's profession in honorable, for anyone who will givo it a serious thought must admit that there is not, “on God’s gr.-em earth, a” more noble, or more honornblo mission. The farmer’s bands may be rough and stained by toll; his manners may be awkward and uncouth ; he may, aH it is Rneeringly Baid by the moths and butterflies that are dependent on him for the necessaries of their life, “ smell of the soil;’’ but lie is none the less noble and. manly for all that; his care has been not to adorn hisown person, not to acquire the polish and gentility ot fashionable life, but to minister to the real necessities of his fellow men ; he has made himself the instrument to work out their happiness and prosperity. He does not seek to acquire wealth by the tricks and sharp practice of the tradesman ; he does not-resort to the corners, or shortcuts of the speculator; nor docs lie live on the follies, evils and crimes of mankind. What he earns is the product of honest toil; and what lie receives is but the value of the energy of mind and body which be lias expended for the public good. Men may iiave acquired tastes and habits, which render labor in this calling irksome and unpleasant; but it is not to the discredit of the profession; if there is any, it is their own. Education, so called, may lead some to lliihk all manual labor is menial and degrading; but they see things in a perverted light; they measure liopor and dignity by their own false notions. The farming community are in a great measure responsible for this estimate of their profession, and it should be tlicir endeavor to remove this prejudice from the public mind. To do this effectually they must first assure themselves of the true nobility of their calling; then they will have courage to affirm it, and make it felt. They must make their business a progressive one, and then it will command the respect of all. They must add to manual labor, brain work and skill, and it will be esteemed most honorable. They must make it prosperous and remunerative and then it will be worshipped. Farmers must, by union of action, cut off these vampires, middlemen, boards of trade, and monopolies, who, too honorable to work themselves, think it respectable to live by cheating and fraud. They must educate, themselves in all that pertaihs to their profession, from the first principles of natural law, to the influence of social and political economy, upon the productive energies of the country; then their profession will be prosperous and influential, their position in society, not more honorable, bnt more respected.— Western Farmer.