Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-08-26
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From tAs Plongh Bog.
AN ADDRESS

ruRAL SOCIETY, cS FRIDAY, TTH OF NAY, le4l,
ny BrwRITrrELD BROOKS, ESQ.
,Nr. President, and Gentlemen ofthe Agricultural
Society:
A desire TO improve The Agricultural interest
in this section Of the State, was the chief and
imprliing motive, which led TO the formation OF
the Society, whose recent organizalion we have
this day convened 10 commemorate. For The
purpose ofimpart!ng some interest 10 the occa-
sion and OF giving an open public pledge 10 the
country, that the members of the Society are III
earnest, that shrir hearts and ihnds are truly
engaged in the matter, they deemed II advisea.
ble al their first meeting, 10 provide for the de-
livery on this day. OF public Address. adapted
TO The OCCASION, and 10 me was assigned the per-
foruance OF this duiy.
| now appear before you and enter upon the
task assigned me. with no other reluctance, than
what very properly arises. from d'slfust OF
my ability in the present impaired stale oi my
hcalh Ia do justice 10 the occasion, and 10 iu!hl
your reasonable expectations. So much has
been written and published upon the comprc-
hensivc subject, both by practical planters and
scientific .cntlemen, that cannot tlaiIer myself
with the expectation of being able TO offer TO
vour consideration nj this time, any Suggestions,
which shall be entitled 10 Tho merit OF novelty,
or which may Justly claim the humber recon-
menda,icn o! being presented in new and cap.
,va,ing form. We have not met, however, rs
n Society of learned Professors, 20 discourse
upon the abs,ruse principles of vegetable physi-
olo.y, or to elucidaie The hidden and profound
truths Of physical science. (mporiant and inter
cs,ins ~ ,hrse subjects unqucSrionaby arc hut
we have come together, rs the unprcicndlng
owneis aud cnl,vaors Of the soil, fer The single
purpose of promoting the Improvement, of that
occupa,ion 10 which we belong. and 10 which
mos. of US ale exclusively indebted for our sup
port.
III can succeed in impartinS an importance
10 Agriculture as an occupa.ion, not before ac-
knowledged; i'll can he so fortunate rs 10 AVID
ken zeal hitherto une!i for It's advancement,
and especially. il ! shall sugccs, such :onsider-
ations as shall stimulate the members of tins So
cieiy 10 the active Use Of those means, which aIe
indispensable 10 success, | shall be- rewarded,
with the qualification OF my highest hopes, and
amply compensated for my time and labomr
Agriculture challenges our high consideration
rs being the edes; sister OF The arts. and as the
honored employment of man, in his state OF
prineval innocence. The earth was given 10
him as ln inheritance, by The author o: hts cx-
isience. In r, garden Of Eden the first cosIs.
naand issued 10 liz tenants, was to dress i md
keep Il in order. In all tiie mutations which
lsyetascn placc IN the condition OF man. Roia
s
IOfsss tir 20 scisa0 corfitrsed for-
lion of his employment. II may be justly de.
nominated tile paramount interest OF civilized
man, in oil the modified forms Of his social and
civil relations |, is emphu;ically the basis, not
only Of human subsistence, hut the only true
foundation Olhuman comfort and Improvement.
Bv It's ere ativc powers. all The multi Piled means
of individual or national wealth are produced,
and by It's successful labnrs are manly furnish
ed the diversified materials, which constitute
the Commerce ard Manufactures of the world
II has been npily called the hand maid oi ciri''z-
alton. aud the nmrSin. mother Of nations. As
IL was coeval with the existence al man, so II
will DC his abiding and paramount employment.
to the period OF his Gual extinction. The cuiii
va,ory of the soil. in the diilcrcpt departments
or husbondrv, Agriculture aud Horticulture
constitute by estimation, seScnci.h''lS oi tiie
population of The whole c.Iih. II Is further cs-
,i,na,cd. that rs n distinct class, they pay INTO
tile treasury ofcverv government, the principal
rcvchuc for the support al each; and tial III
our own State ~ particular, we contribute nlie-
icn,hs of the general Tax. As AsrIcnnrsls.
therefore. wc do no, alrosalc 10 ourselves an
overwccning importance. in the assumption.
that the Agricultural class oi every ciriiizcd
community, constitute ;hc only sure and pcrna-
nent foundation oi al! government ana upon
which civii society and government must u,
truth, depend Tor then Continued Support a''u
preservation,
ln The noble specimens 1' ahcien' alSh''cc-
'nre, now 10 oe Traced anna 'hc sleni'u runs
ot Athens and home' 'iie massi p','"is anu
magnificent columns. constituted ,'e ch'e'
s'reusti' aud ornament oi ihe splendid snpc',
structures winch were eIericd upon men" ana
they aave been The last toyiein l" ,i'c corrod'ns
touch OF time. remaining ut tins day not only
as monuments of former greatness and power,
bnt rs objects worthy "t the admiration "i mo
dern times. The splendid Snpcrs'racinrrs
which they supported liav" Ion: .'nce crnm'
hied INTO ruins, while these enduring iounda'
tons maintain their stations, wi'i h'i, si,:ht
dimuntion "i their strength and grandeur. We
occupy 10 society. n relation somewhat nna!o-
sous, to that sustained by those enduring plI.
lars ana time worn columns 10 the more perish
able: nut splendid ediiices winch they support
ed. we are without i's nre, The pillars and CO.
rmns OF Tue great social edihce. fne chef sup