Emerson's Eulogy of Thoreau (Paraphrasing needed)

[cosmic1]

Hi there,

I have a literature-related question! This is my first ever post/ threat and I hope it will bring some people in here who will offer their insight. (You can also send me a private message by clicking on my username if you don't want to post a reply for public view) I will get to it.

While writing my essay on Thoreau and his Walden I came across Emerson's eulogy of Thoreau which was also published in the Atlantic Monthy in 1862. I love the following part of eulogy but am unsure as to what the italicized part exactly means... I urge any kindred spirits to read it and paraphrase it for me. I shall be indebted and grateful. Here the real text:


I cannot help counting it a fault in him that he had no ambition. Wanting this, instead of engineering for all America, he was the captain of a huckleberry party. Pounding beans is good to the end of pounding empires one of these days; but if, at the end of years, it is still only beans!


My guess is that Emerson's saying Pounding beans IS NOT comparable to pounding empires. ''but if'' that follows the italicized sentence adds this sense to the preceding sentence. Anyhow, please offer your take and paraphrase the whole sentence for me in your response.

Thank You!