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

ceive such q community -suppese them enco~so
with the right OF self government Conceive the
man, who does not know that cause will produce
effeci, blindy putting IN motion the Governmental
maehine-Suppose that the man, who has no hope
in life. were requted to act upon the interests Of
himse,f and posterity-The man who makes no va,
lue out OF property, conttving the safeguards OF
property. Is there any hope Of efficiency, or Of
vigilance, or OF liberty OF government herel Or
| suppose them set by foreign power. What
| manly resistance could they make1 Or suppose
| them seduced by demasoguts, what hi n and seorn
ful reprobaton could you expect from themi Nay,
Sirs, if ever there presented 10 the enterprise
| OF man an object which he must attain at his own
proper peril, improvement in agriculture Is one
such. Here only can the friends Of their spec es
hnd practical reliance for the welfare oil mankind.
Here the devout man may spend hlStervor IN bring
| ing his fellows nearer to God. Here the lover Of
| Nature can promise himself the most unebated de.
light. And here, finally, the ireemen oil TINS land
| must look for the Ararut for the Ark OF their Lii
berties-tossed. perhaps on the ocean OF eonheurg'
warning interests, but resting safely IN the sturdy
| independence, the plain common sense, and the
goodness OF the farming community.
But, Mr.. President and Gentlemen, can the pro-
ducts Of our farms and plantations, be increased
Do startle YOU by the question: Strange as II
may appear to you, | am afraid many persons will
answer in the negative-some by word, more by
deed ] fatter myself there is no sceptic here how
ever. Ii requires only the moderate skill and Oh.
servaon, OF which am master, 10 perceive the most
encouraging evidences, that our community are not
only believers, that our farming may be improved,
but that they practise the faith they have would
fam hope that few more efforts will he wanting, 10
place us in n grade in the farming community quite
enviabe. That we have tie spirit, IS fully proven
by our asSemblago TO day. That We have the
means. the owners OF our mar-farms, suspect, viii
scarcely deny. At any rate ocular proof Is attana-
bic, that they at least can do what they Will, and
that they will do what they can. But, IS there
nothing to encourage you, Mr. President, and your
speaker and the rest of whose lots are cast m
less favored resonl We have certainly fewer ad'
vantages 10 answer for. But, believe We nave
other and better encouragement. do believe that
the consistent and perseverins use OF the means
which Providence has put within our reach, accord
ing to those principles end rules which our minds
properly end reasonably enlightened are fully
competent to afford us, will ensure TO us snt,sae-
tory though gradual improvement in the fertility of
our farms and the value Of our farm animals. Is
there one OF US who has no. IN Natures teachings
daily demonsuat Of this pcsiiionl DJes one
of us know spot OF ground returned exhaust
ed TO the hands Of ;he Great Artifcer. which
hns not increased in fertility since il s been
relieved OF the blishtiug effects of mans ignorance
and selishnessl And has not Nature always IN
these instances reserved the seeds Of plenty growing
on such soils for 10 ID for bird ard beast, for pro
paSsiio'1 Ard has not the improvem- nj been
derived minesty from o'her resources produced
on the land, modified and applied by the simple an
beautiful principles of that unerring power' And
what impeachment is there that we may not produce
of the residuum, add 10 the fertility OF soisl Is
il not manifest that the knowledge and The will 10
do it only wantinsl And is II not reasonable,
that the same scientific principles, which add TO the
productive power OF soils by tillage, at the same
time increase their capacity for improvement Con.
siderations such these, | humbly conceive should
encourage the occupant Of the very poorest farm
to do his duty by II, in full confidence that every
well directed effort will be followed by correspond
| ing success. knowledge and persevering industry,
4 rr-sNl he haa
powerful 10 ejuce fair picture OF fertility and ~
raj beauty out Of the most meagre soil. II, how
ever the occupant OF the poorer. less favored farm
should resort TO science with profound devotion, as
| the only refuge from poverty and despair, how
much more ferventy and thankfully should its dc
tates be respected by the fortunate possessor of
OF our more favored estates. To the former, science
produces com petence, bare completeness 10 the latter
opulence and elegance. But for its precepts, the
poor land farmer must statve or emisrGtc-by dill
gent observance of them he will live, but with
much labor. Gratitude he owes, certainly, for this;
but how much more lively should he the emotions
OF him, who hnds results surprising as almost
to seem supernatural TO spring from obedience TO its
dictates.
vitality important, then, as knowledge and enter
prise are to all AsTculturists is inconceivable that
any one, who will give calm consideration to the
matter, doubt Of the usefulness of association
the benevolence Of It's views. What more calcu-
lated to promote agricultural knowledge, than the
free conference OF our membersl What better con-
trivod TO illustrate theories, than the specimens of
stock and product Of our soils, and Of implements
brought together by our shows and fairs2 And what
more apt to rouse the slumberins yea OF our people
than the electric TRANSMISSION Of the great spirit Of pro-
gress which so actively pervadss some OF our mem
! bers7
Sirs; We cannot sleep with the whole world A.
wake and busy around us-We cannot close our
eyes IN iusensibility, with the bright light Of the
| sun OF knowledge, now rising upon the world shin
| ing so clear all around us. II is not IN human
nature 10 resist the all psrvAding impulse. Much
less it be, that the citizens OF the glorious old
county of Hanover, famed always for high resolve
and bold enterprise, with their neghbors TO lead the
way, will be still in such a crisis.
Let US, then, Mr. President and gentlemen OF the
Association-deeply-s olemnly impressed with the
dignity OF our vocation-and the vital interests con
nected with it-devote ourselves earnestly and
faithfully TO the attainment of its objects Let us
remember, how much of our couniry's welfare, and
our own. and our chilGren's happiness depend,
upon the honesty and proper direction Of our ef.
forts. And let US this day renew the pledge which
We have taken upon ourselves, in subscribing our
Constitution that whatever in US lies we will do all
for the interest and the honor OF our unpreiendIns
but noble calling.