Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-02

B.fsrs hs HassSsr Asrie-iisral sOeiety.


sp sker, my ignorance. and inefeieney IN the srea
pursuit TO which have dedicated our efforts
would fully Justify in me, much difhdenee, IN at
tempting to address you; many Of whom recoe
nise as expert and successful Agrieultursts-al as
iudieious, public spirited citizens How much then
these feelings Of distrust and Apprehension be
decreased, when l remember the expectation with
which you have attended this meeting, and the srlk'
ing contrast your entertainment will present TO that
expectation
Tho gentleman on HON you imposed the task OF
Addressing you this occasion, Is undoubtedly, IN
every respect, qualified TO have met your calcula-
tions. Zeal and success in the practlee-science
and judgment in the principles Of farming, united to
much OF taste and education, in him fully ratify
your original selection-whe must be aware that
your present speaker will afford but "poor alter
native" IL is proper, however, that we should re.
member, that there 10 nothing IN the motives which
have produced your present disappointment, to IN
spire a entary doubt, that We are one and all.
hrm and united" in the noble effort, in furtheranee OF
which We are here TO day. | am authorised TO an
to you, and derive satisfaction IN doing So
that our absent brother has not for moment "re-
pented HIMSELF of the imposing, but grateful re-
sponsibilities which we have IN common assumed,
by associating ourselves together-but that he has
only failed TO comply with an obligation assigned
by us to him without consultation, in consequence
of its interfering with the discharge Of those sacred
family duties-the hsbitual and faithful recognition
of which, is pre- eminent duty and Just boas; Of
the class to which we belong. We ore clearly bound
myself. In this in other particular, am
singularly situated IN having to address you here
to day-and having that duty imposed on me
through him.
But, Mr.. Presiden, and Gentlemen, the soldier is
unworthy of the name, who will not, with alacrty
go into the fight. 10 any post assigned TO him. Much
more is that gentleman unworthy TO bear the honor
ed name of Farmer, who will not freely undertake
and cheeruy discharge, to the extent OF his abii.
ty, any task-any labor which his pursuit imposes
l pray you, therefore, to accompany me-" with
what of indulgence you may, while, trusting in the
inspiration of our sacred cause, endeavor, TO the
extent of my poor ability TO set in order before you
some lew OF the many considerations which occur
to me IN contemplating the objects OF our Assoca
tion-remembeting, only, that my individual cir
cumstances, as well as the treat which aui sure is
in waiting for us, in our show and tair admonshes
to be brief.
No considerations can more powerfully impress
us with the value OF ady object of pursuit, than a
view the consequences OF failure IN It's attainment
A prospect OF its advantages may fascinate us and
make us sanguine. But, when the votaries of liter
ty have done vaantly IN her cause, 1t was under
the impending apprehension Of bondage. Then. is
the irmness and visor OF manhood combined with
the enthusiasm and daring Of youth. Ii has been
this prospect which has often concentrated human
energy into those deeds, which illuminate some
pages in the history Of almost every Nation. And
does our beloved calling make no appeal TO US, her
votaries in this point of view' Let US for mo-
ment contemplate the disastrous consequences OF
al pursuit OF Agriculture; many Of which, il
Is 10 be feared, already africt country,
and must continue TO do so, without the eff
or,s of the farmers themselves to remove them.
1t is not want bightirg poverty, the destution OF
the mere necessaries of life which must TO a great
extent be derived from the abors OF our class, to
which would call your attention. By the blessing
oil God and our good fortune, we are in this coun.
try OF least exempt TO a great degree from those
Nor IS II the series OF heartfelt disappont-
nd xrbi
farmers" meet every day OF our lives, that rely
upon now. That consideration might have much
weight with all men who study their own comfort.
But we society Of farmers, and il is in IFS in
huence on society, in its economical, its moral and
Its political interests, that would ask you to con
template unsuccessful farming. Sirs: Is there no
public spirit, no charity, mo bowels Of mercy' in
this class OF men, of which we are members Can
the Patriot and Philanthropist fold his hands in
slothiul resignation when he sees the community Of
which he is member, crcumscrbed in its means,
limited IN It's production Does the farmer, who
is worthy OF the name, witness without pain the
barrenness, the thankessness OF the heds-the toll
ana anxiety oil the farmers-the feeble movements
OF the work beasts-ihe emaciated COW from mere
weakness, gyratins as she walks, and barely main
tanning prohtess existence-the auenuated hog,
whose lungs just suffice for laintling squeal-the
dapi5ated houses, the insecure fences-tbe souaid
negro cabin and its dispirited inmate-and feel no
zeal IN the cause Of Improvement Can lie see the
poor iarmer casting up his accounts at the end OF
his operations with bitterness Of heart remembering
al his toll, all his thought his worrying uneasiness
his unremlttlng application, and still finding that oil
his efforts have failed 10 his oft and oft reduced
expenses, and not conceive for him the most
heartfelt sympathy, and religious determine
ton, 10 help him by any means IN his power
VIII he learn, that in spite Of increased facilities in
agricultural operations. the soil of his native coun
try cannot afford sufficient rewards for labor TO
keep her sons at home-that while population and
production have gone on 10 increase rapidly in other
States OF the Confederation-here, AT HOME in
Virginia, 1.-THE mother Of States" the former is near.
ly stationary, and The latter not keeping pace with
the wants Of the producers, without feeling an ear
mes: patriotism struggling within him7 Sirs we
are leit behind by the great host OF humanity who
are with accelerated speed pursuing their way
Influenced by the progressive genius Of the age.
lhey have far outstripped US. We are not as far
advanced IN national prosperity, in an economical
polnt Of view, as were our ancestors in the Colonial
time of tobacco at 81 Is. AMI wheat at s. They
had more than they wanted. We have less. They
bought less than they sold. We buy more than
we sell. They had the GLORIOUS privilege OF being
independent" We have not. Our wants have
Increased. Our resources have not ACCOMPANIED
them-and we feel want, not the less want because
we have more than some persons have had And
Will not these considerations rouse most active
energetic, determined purpose Of amendment /
Where, ask shall we find ourselves five continue
IN TINS course OF declining production, increasing
"antS Where, but in a condition Of social disp.9
Tagement-oi political degradation, and Of national
bankruptcy
am convinced that no occupation 10 which man
IS destined 10y his Creator is SO favorable 10 the
iul development Of that elevated scope OF Character
10 winch mankind should tend, as agriculture when
successfuI-and that no imaginable employment
conduces less TO that perfection IF moral characier
thnn thai pu SUIT when unsuccessful. The success.
Iu' agfcuurIst learns to perceive and to love exact
uu'h-tor the laws Of Nature are true and unvary-
ing But the farmer, whose sue ess never answers
ms expectations, sees truth in nothing in his buS /
ness me iarmer, who meets success, leans tina,
ne may calculate upon results, II causes ore properly
understood and he dlscriminstes and reasons accu
ra'y. The man, 10 whom nothing Of success ever
comes considers hlmse blind instrument IN the
hanos n Destiny and sinks his reason in desponden.
Cy'- VINO has succeeded once, will study success
w viii earn to know the causes Of thiogs-and ei.
eo''ng RON one point N another he will finally i'd
'u"ce 10 mat attainment IN moral and intellectual
IMPROVEMENT, possible IN his capFeity.-who never
succeeds will ce1se 10 expect success-wil eease
exert himsei, and will not de.erve sue
oeSs-aho' hnaly, will link into mhecity. And
""e'e - there found more cheerfulness-more
noncompliance charty-more hosp,aty-
ln''e pnolc fptr nnt private worth, than in the
n - %. farmers. when success meets their efT,,ts1
hui oeho d the reverse: Does the poo, f,rnn,r On
guy 70 MS employment, and after Ieborino al;
Ecn'y noes no return 20 happy home bimself the
Peslulhg genius OF the grateful scene7 Does bone
Sneer' ana courage eT1lt him7 Does he know tbai
nl nas cone hs duiy-and th,t for the rest h, Il,
authorised TO depend upon Provtdsnce7 viii Won
moo m hum the hearty host the kind husbandZtbs
lohu inthcr-the imnrovtre, rc.r,....- - /