Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-08-14

proceedings SO congenial 10 his feelings, it enabled
him to express in person his deep sense Of the high
honor which the Society had done him, in deemng
him worthy to become Of it's honorary members.
| (Cheers) He only regretted that it would not be
| In his power to repay such an honor by some cor
responding benefit, worthy OF such an association,
and OF the interest he felt at its success He could
therefore, only offer the humble tribute Of his no
mage, and his best wishes. In such an assembly, it
would, he was quite sure. be needless, il he were
competent, to expatiate upon the subject OF agricu-
ture, and its claims to support He, however, felt
disposition to throw out one or two suggestions
which might not be entirely unworthy of considera
ton. (Cheers.) All, he said concurred in assign
ing to agriculture high place in the scale of ndi-
vidual and national interest-(hear, hear)-but yet
he thought they did not give it the Importance il
merited, and to which it jus ly aspired. In other
words, that too many supposed the object Of agri-
culture was alone for purposes Of subsistence Now,
mere fallacious opinion could not, he thought, OBJ
tain than that the responsibilities of agriculture stop
ped at the production of food for eaters-far other
wise-the duties of agriculture, he said were like
those OF morality they spread beyond the circle of
providing the means o. subsistence, into wide ex-
panse created by the obligations arising out of
state OF society," and were connected with all the
great national interests. (Chcers.) Hence, the
support of GOvernment-the enc ouragement Of CON-
merce the basis of manufactures-the subsistence
of the learned professions, depended upon the inn
Pertance and interests Of agriculture (Cheers) 1t
was the source from which oil classes not only de-
rived subsistence, but prosperity. As object Of
universal benefit then it was justly entitledto uni
MIR. Stevenson said that agriculture had been
Justly considered national property. The whole
country one great farmland the inhabitants as one
great family; in which, however, those who worked
the least had often the most profit Now, If this was
true, he believed it to be 10 certain extent, then
those who not farmers had great an interest
the farmer himse {, inasmuch the whole class
employed in agricultural districts and labor were
the first to be subssted and that of the other classes
out oft surplus; and Of course, the larger the
plus the greater would be the profit This was a
oil s,ar ba d.. btxa both
it not the less strong. (Hear.) OF all the modes
which had been resored to in aid of agriculture, the
most beneficial associations Of this character
societies for the collection and diffusion Of know
ledge the introduction of useful experiment.; the
writings Of able and distinguished men; and that
citement and emulation essential to all improve
ment. Science was absolutely necessary to modern
agriculture-theory and practice reflected light
each other, and this the felt Of all pur-
suits, there was no class welded to old habits,
aud which unyieiding, as those who cultivate
the soil. This was the case, both in the old and
new world He rejoiced, therefore, in the giant
strides which agriculture was making in every quar-
ter of the globe, under the beneficial aids of practi
cal science. Tbs was, he said, one of the great
benefits which this society would accomplish
(Cheers) If any man doubted the extent to which
science had benefited agriculture, let him visit Eng
land and Scotand-England, really which had just
ly been said to be the Garden of all Europe. And
why was il so a-simply because its entire surface
was cultivated upon principles, which were brought
TO the test of the most rigid and severe experiment.
phicaly pursued, and because she had such excel
lent farmers. (Cheers) 1t was, indeed, delightful
to witness the system OF farming and rural economy
throughout the land IL a foreigner wished to know
what England really was, he must go into the
try, and mix with her farmers and yeomanry
1t had been said, he believed by one ofthe princes
Of the regning family, that the pride OF England was
in her yeomanry. He re-echoed the sentiment and
was happy to belong when at home TO that class.
Next he said, to the proud distinction Of being
American citizen, was that OF being farmer.
(Cheers.) Who could look upon such an assembly
as this without feeling himself elevated and grated
(Cheers We see here all classes united in this
great work. The wise and good, the public and pr-
waite man, those who fill high places, mixing with
the farmers and cuivators Of the soil upon perfect
equality and the spirit OF peace and charity shedding
around their holy calm, refreshing alike to the feel
ings and the intellect. (Cheers) ltwas, he said,
upon this Society and its wide spreading and far ex-
tending purposes, that the eyes Of Europe and Amer
lea were now fixed with steady gaze. He hoped
there would be no disappointment. Viewed in re-
for supporting it, but viewed in relation to its effects
upon other natsns as had been Justly said. the mo-
tive for exertion rose into much higher and nober
sentiment. IL became then the cause, not OF their
country or ms but that of mankind and who poor
or sordd in spirit, to think only OF himself his
country when the great question was whether the
earth should be inhabited and cultivated by enlight
ened and virtuous and men, or by debased
I and ignorant human beings and hordes Of savsges1
(Cheers.) In conclusion, he could only repeat his
thanks for the kindness and honor done him, and his
best wishes Tor success OIL assocf-
alton. He trusted in God, that II might fulfil its
high purposes do hoport to its founders, and benefit
| mankind. Mr.. s. then said, that the most pleasing
part of his duty remained TO be performed. II was
] 10 propose to them toast which weud be hailed
| he was quite sure with the greatest enthusiasm. IL
would be presumption in him to do more than SIM
ply TO name the distinguished individual whose
health he was about to propose. One, who in every
thing connected with the honor and glory of his
country stood proudly pre-cminent, and Of when II
might Justly be said, both in war aud peace, was
without fear and without reproach. He proposed
TO them the health Of their noble President the Duke
| Of Richmond with three times three. He sat down
amid the most enthusiastic cheering. .rIf
| The Duke Of Richmond rose 10 return thanks. He
| said he had been used to receive favors, bat the
manner in which his health had been drank on the
present occasion gratifying as to render him
almost inc apable Of expressing his feelings As one
Of the founders Of this association, he had been most
happy after the cessation OF" wars ALARM, TO meet
the farmers Of England. lie row called on the land
lords Of England to Join him in carrying ou the OBJ
iects Of the Association He had the honor then 10
ad M N from every county in England
ly he was in the habit Of addressing those whom he
knew personally; but here, probably, there were
many who, up to the period when he reached Cam
bridge, did not know ofhis existence (Cries 81 no
no") lie consider d the existence OF this Society
the greatest importance to tho permanent advan-
tages Of the country, as he did not know why they
should not bring science to bear agriculture as
well as ON manufactures. (Cheers) Look at the
history OF the last 20 years-look to the vast
tains that had been cut througb-look 10 the extent
TO which buildings had been conpletrd-look 10 the
fact that by steam may now reach New York in a
fortpipht Why then should we not call in the aid
of team To agriculture. Hs looked forward with