Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-01-10

ests of our conStluency---andb being well ac-
uuainted with the public sentiment upon
this as well as other subjects, you will I'M
doubtedly pursue such course as shall
rot only be the result of enlightened re-.
Election on your part, but prove entirely
satisfactory 10 those whom you represent.
The interests of agriculture must even
command the favorable regard of the legis-
lature constituting as it does branch of
industry which lies at the foundation Of all
other---and contributing, perhaps more than
all other, to the supply OF our wants as well
as adding immensely to the real wealth OF
the State: and in reference to the whole
country. furnishing at least nne-tenths oil
the whole amount OF our exports.
If you should conclude TO repeal the law
comforting bountes on the production OF
wheat aud corn, it may fairly serve as an
additional stimulus 10 Your desire to do
something in promotion OF the cause oi agrl-
culture in some other mode.
Perhaps the establishing board of ag-
rlculture, or the appointment OF an agent.
one or both, similar to the plan suggested
upon the subject of education, might exert
a more general as we'll beneficial in
j iiuence orerthe State, than any other course
that could at present be adopted. Much
good, | think, could be effected by this
means, in diifusiug more generally a
knowledge of agricultural chemlstry-in-
ducing the adoption Of improvements in
az ricuhural implements, and improved
modes Of culure--by exciting spirit OF
emulation among our farmers aud causing
more ust estimate among the young men
oi oar State, Of the honorable as well as
useful character ofthe employment ITSELF
! here are various WAYS i'll VIII ch such
board or agency might prove highly usenl,
too obvious to require enumeration here.
For some reasons, perhaps better known
to you than to myself, our County AGri-
cultural Societies have not excited so deep
an interest in the farming community as
was expected, nor have they consequently
been so efficient agents in promoting the
design of heir establishment as was antici-
pated. The members of these societies
however, are highly deserving Of our thanks
for their efforts, and entitled to our more
heatty cooperation with them hereafter. |
trust that if any thing can be done by way
Of donation or otherwise to add to their
number and 10 increase their usefulness,
ia, no formidable objection will be found
IN The way Of your doing 1t.
The subject Of internal improvements is
one OF great importance, and highly deser-
wing Of youi most earnest aud deliberate at
tention, especially as it is believed that IA
considerable conirarety Of opinion prevails
IN regard to it among your constituents.
Strong, and to my mind, insuperable OBJ
iectons have heretofore been eXpre,se by
this State to a system Of iuterHa! improve
ments conducted by The general govern
ment. That government being one %. limit
ed powers its authority 10 institute such
system has been constantly denied aud 70
sisted. But ASIDE from the constitutional
objections, the adoption Of sncIi asystoEa
has been believed 10 be traught with IN
calculable mischief. The general scramble
~ bich i! creates for governmental iaYprs-:ae
bargaining it induces among members of
Congress, exchanging votes aud influence
for the votes and influence If others The
grouping all the appropriations iuto one
general bill, thereby competing members
10 vote for what thay know To be Wfnpg, or
lose appropriations which tAay believe TO
be right--are \ few among tic aany cir
cumstances' which are caicuis'cd to lower
the tone of moral feeling aipofsT the mem
bers, il not eletiua;e in { Systematic course
of gross corruption ard fraud. Besides, the
injustice Of collecting large sums Of yne
whole people through an eXorbnant tariff,
10 distribute again TO small portion only,
is strickingly apparent Nor, il the thing
was right in Itself could appropria,e be ex-
pended 10y the general government under
that vigIlant supervision, and With that pfn-
deRcc and economy, wich might reasonably
be expected of the agent Of the States.
Many Of these objections however, do
no, exist against the adoption of a system
Of internal Improvements by the individual
States. TO their action no constitutional
objection is interposed; the question, thefe-
fore, with them. is purely one Of expcdieDcy.
Baths 1t necessary that we should adopt
one or the other Of the two extremes upon
this subject? Must we follow the lead of
some OF our sister State in the west, who
are now involving themselves in debt of
million piled on million, borrowd from "a
broad, the interest Of which may hereafter
absorb much Of the hard earnings of the peo-
pie or must we, on the contary, bury our
resources, bury our wealth, with the miser's
grasp and lag behind all other States IN the
great highway improvements apprehend
not One, would for us prehaps, be as unwise
AMI impotic as the other.
1t appears to me, that, a ust and happy
roeIun, hot theea mira conreao ic