Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-10-06
EXTRACT FROM MIR. WEBSTER'S
GREAT SPEECH
AT THE AGRICULTURAL SUPPER, AT
ROCHESTER, N. Y, SEPT. 81, l643.


Reported for the N. Y. Tribune by II. J. RAYMOND.
Gentlemen, the occasion is an agricultural &C.
casion The topics which have assembled us to-
gelher here are agricultural topics. They carry
us to the consideration Of that great interest OF So
ciety, the cultivation of the Earth, from which we
ourselves were taken. And, gentlemen, have
been struck in examining the exhibition which
has been made to-day Of animals, and OF the pro-
ducts and Improvements of The mechanical arts,
and especially the improvements in the great SCI
ence and practice of agriculture, with the vast ad
vantages which AGRICULTURE, in the appropriate
sense Of the word, holds out TO the great mass OF
the society in which we live. The cultivation OF
the earth is not all of agriculture in its proper or
common sense. That depends very much on eli
mate and condition. We speak Of Agriculture as
that great Pursuit of Society in which the great
mass of men are engaged, in temperate climates,
and in soil adapted to produce the variety OF
things which are useful for food and the raiment
OF man.
But there is another cultivation of the fields,
appropriate 10 tropical climates, which has recev
ed the usual denomination of the pla,tation-the
planting interest of society. Now, gentlemen,
what has most forcibly struck my attention, sug-
gested by what have seen and heard and wines
sed to-day, 10 the vastly superior advantages, to
individuals and society, of the truly agricutur
al over the plantation interest. desire no better
exemplifcalon of the truth of the general senli-
ment which have advanced, than that suggested
by the comparison-if we may not more properly
call it a contrast-exhibited by those who cu-
vate the fields of Western New York and those
who cultivate equally rich soils, which lie beneath
tropical sum- 1 would compare the agriculture
of Western New York with the plantation inter-
est OF the West Indies. Now, does anything ex-
hibt a broader contrast between different pursuits
both indebted TO the cultivation OF the land,
both rearing products for human consumption
than we find between your circles, and those
found in the plantation tracts OF Cuba or Jamaica,
not only as affecting Individual happiness, but as
touching the riches, the strength, the order, the
power the intelligence of human society?
The difference appears TO be this: Tropical cul-
tiyaton, the raising of sugar, rice, coffee, for ex-
ample, is rather matter of Commerce than OF
Agriculture. Ii consists mainly in the production
Of one article. The production OF that article de-
ponds on the expense Incurred Tor SOIL aud LABOR,
OF that sort appropriate to its cultivation and
this il all capital. Whenever one would enter
upon Tropical culture he invests his capita in the
soil, and, as we all we'll know, portion OF il also
in labor. Ii becomes, therefore, rather OF the ma
ture of a commercial undertaking, than the plain
and homely, but healthy and benehcent field oil
cultivation. The consequence ID such as phiIo-
sophie inquiry would lead us TO expect One IL
uncertain, precarious, changeabe, paraking Of
the vcissilndes of trade and commercial enter
prise. The other is q home interest, always sub
stantally the same-llable, II IL true, to those
vcissiludes which attach themselves to all human
concerns but securing 10 him who enters upon the
cultivation of his own lands, 10y the labor OF hi
own hands, competency, aud promising TO gudrC
him against the accidents of Lille as far as is pos
sible for the most fortunate human beings. Th'
cont asst is evident when examine carefully the
condition of him who trusts 10 Tropical cutva
tion-suppose of coffee. He raises one thing TO
sale and one only, and buys OF others every thin,
else. He has one commodity to carry to The mar
hat IF ala nnIf n
purchase. What is the consequence OF this stat
of things to his finances, TO his means OF living
of security and comfort? We see at once iha
as he produces but one article, and that article
commodity subject to the fucuaIins prices OF In
commercial world, depression IN It's price affect
him through The t0hole erient Of his annual income
IT, for example, the price OF that article tails
ner cent he loses 10 per cent. OF his expectations
the loss goes through the whole product II
rises he is enriched. II il falls he is inpoverlsh
ed And, therefore, estates which are ricR to-da
may be poor "a. morrow and no man, not pos
sessed OF a vast capital, can rely upon MS proper
" for the support and comfort OF ms family, an
The education OF his children from year ~ year.
Now, contrast with this, The state of the arne
of Western New York, or OF New England or
England or any other strictly agricultural socle
~. The Farmer OF The western part OF N. Yor
rnises great variety OF artcles-as we have see
Inv The exhibitions OF to-day. There is coecte
every species OF useful productions-ht for hu
man nulriment, animal and vegetable. There ar
the fleecss of his fock-capable OF being turne
10 great extent into the productions oil ralmen
Tor himself aud family. In this rar'ety, therefore
there Id a great advantage. He has the means O
securing 10 himself an independence--and II !
uueo OF an individual, as of nation, that, wilhou
iuopohuehee, no man is man nor can he eve
10 nun lCheers.) IL is this which gives hin
Pe''oha' responsibility for you will pecsive ,h'