Adorning homes
Editors Arkansian – Perhaps many persons think that I am too enthusiastic on the subject of adorning homes. But I think that there are great principles involved in the subject, principles that will influence our characters in every relation of life. The objects that adorn our homes our only emblems of character and are of little importance when compared with the principles that lead to their existence. If we could force this truth upon our citizens, many of them would change their emblems, for they desire to maintain a good character. I would hear remark that nature in her universal laws never does anything by halves nor works a while in one direction and then in another, but is uniform and consistent and all that she does. For illustration, look at that individual who will not adorn his home. You will invariably find his mind uncultivated, and everything around him there is the impress his character. Go to his home. You will find the yard fence down, cows and hogs in the yard, pigs and puppies in the house and under the floor. If you stay all night with him, you will nibbled almost to death by fleas and bedbugs. You will find his cabin unventilated, the pure air of heaven never enters his dark abode. It is a principle of philosophy that a stream will not rise above its fountain unless assisted by some other power. Neither will man rise in character above the objects with which he is surrounded without a very great effort on his part, and then the result will be that he will bring all things up to his level. Look at the school houses and churches of that community who will not adorn their homes. The light of science has had nothing to do in their construction. Indeed the light of the Sun has scarcely shined within their dark walls which look like they were given over to the bats and owls. Examine those places of instruction, you will find all of the class, from the teachers down to the least child a community of ignoramuses. I am happy to know that our country has many exceptions to this class and the time is not far distant when the individuals, schools and churches which refused to put their shoulders to the wheels of progress and enjoy the light which science sheds upon us, stand as isolated fragments of an old wreck. On the other hand, look at that individual who adorns his home. You will invariably find his mind cultivated, all things around him in order, his house if only a cabin well ventilated, the cows, hogs, and pigs where they ought to be. Look at the school houses and churches of that community who adorn their homes. The light of science shines upon them, the arts are manifested in the construction of their buildings, their inmates breathe the pure air of heaven. You will find all of that class, from the teachers down to the least child, a community of intelligent and enlightened people. The science of botany is not only interesting in itself with its exquisitely lovely objects; but is connected with every branch of science; and with all history, sacred and profane, it is also from a knowledge of botany, in consection with Chemistry that we obtain all the acids, gums, sugars, oils, raisins and coloring matters, our food as well as clothing is mostly derived from a knowledge of this science. Indeed without a knowledge of botany and the sciences connected therewith, we would denigrate as a people into the savage life again. Besides all this, when we study nature with a constant reference to a supreme intelligent author, the world thenceforth become a Temple and life itself one continued act of adoration. In Washington County, we have the finest natural scenery in the world, there is a great variety of beautiful landscape scenery, presented to the eye on every hand, rolling prairies, covered with high grass and interspersed with beautiful flowers, and native shrubbery as far as the eye can see with barrens, timber lands, and even mountains. Cane Hill and many of our mountain summits are as rich as river bottoms with a prospect spread out before you, unrivaled except by Pisgah, where Moses stood to view the land of Canaan, with plenty of almost icy springs bursting from their very summits.
The great Creator never done more for any country than for this. The ignorant pioneers had no eyes to see the beautiful objects with which they were surrounded. They very first thing they done in their new homes was to destroy every vestige of tree, shrub and flower from the door yard and near grounds. It will rake at least an age to replace some of those noble specimens that were destroyed in a single day. When I look at a house that has no shady trees, I sympathise with, and ..its suffering, ignorant inmates and that they could enjoy the delightful shade.
Brother farmers, I believe we have the best country for a good living, that is to be found in the United States. Our pork, beef and mutton is of the very best quality. In wheat and corn, we are second to none in quantity or quality, while our fruits and vegetables are in such profusion as to astonish all strangers that come to our country. And now with a little adorning of the door yard, and we are as near paradise as we will ever be in this world. In conclusion I would advise all men who have families to adorn their homes with trees and flowers for this good reason. In his leisure hours they will keep him employed and happy – they will keep his children from crying, and his wife from scolding. Some of you do not believe me. Try it, and then send the result to the Arkansian.
MSG
The Arkansian 