st body in
the world, a rampart to the nation, a support not only to
agriculture but to every industry that needs the help of labour. For
physique they have ever been noted, and if it is not valued at home
it is estimated at its true value in the colonies. From Australia,
America, all countries desiring sinews and strength, come earnest
persuasions to these men to emigrate. They are desired above all
others as the very foundation of stability. It is only at home that
the agricultural labourer is despised. If ever there were grounds
for that contempt in his illiterate condition they have disappeared.
I have always maintained that intelligence exists outside education,
that men who can neither read nor write often possess good natural
parts. The labourer at large possesses such parts, but until quite
lately he has had no opportunity of displaying them. Of recent years
he or his children have had an opportunity of displaying their
natural ability, since education was brought within reach of them
all. Their natural power has at once shown itself, and all the young
men and young women are now solidly educated. The reproach of being
illiterate can no longer be hurled at them. They never were
illiterate mentally; they are now no more illiterate in the partial
sense of book-knowledge. A young agricultural labourer to-day can
speak almost as well as the son of a gentleman. There is, of course,
a little of the country accent remaining, and some few technical
words are in use. Why should they not be? Do not gentlemen on the
Exchange use technical terms? I cannot see myself that 'contango' is
any better English, or 'backwardation' more indicative of
intelligence, than the terms used in the field. The labourer of
to-day reads, and thinks about what he reads. The young, being
educated, have brought education to their parents, the old have
caught the new tone from the young. It is acknowledged that the farm
labourer is the most peaceful of all men, the least given to
agitation for agitation's sake. Permit him to live and he is
satisfied. He has no class ill-feeling, either against farmer or
landowner, and he resists all attempts to introduce ill-feeling. He
maintains a steady and manly attitude, calm, and considering,
without a trace of hasty revolutionary sentiments. I say that such
a race of men are not to be despised; I say that they are the very
foundation of a nation's stability. I say that in common justice
they deserve settled