The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-28
MIR. WEBSTER'S AGRICULTURAL SPEECH
AZ ROCHESTER,

MIR. WEBSTER'S AGRICULTURAL SPEECH
AT ROCHESTER.
Mr.. WEBSTER rose and replied in substance as fol
lows Mr.. Prssid,nt and Gentlemen am great,
obliged for the kind manner in which the Presiden
OF tins Society has referred to the circumstances o
our early acquaintance ard intercourse. am proud
gentlemen, OF such pupil and if he learned any
thing under my instruction relative to the profession
TO which belong am sure he is fully competen
now to pay back the principal with accumulated in
terest from knowledge connected with the presen
pursuit to which he and you, gentlemen, so great
ly attached
Gentlemen: Owing, perhaps, in some measure, to
this early and friendly consideration Of the President
of your Society, and TO the general kindness of al
the persons connected with it, had the honor to be
invited 10 appear on this occasion, to make the an
nual address usual upon the celebration of your an
niversary. lthappened not to be in my power to
cept the tender of this great honor But in declining
it suggested to my friend that, sometimes had
occasion to visit Western New York. partly to visit
some family connexions and other friends and as
always embraced such opportunity with the great.
est pleasure might be in this region in the course
Of the autumn and that if SO would endeavor TO ar
range my time to be present at the anniversary
OF the Agricultural Society ] come, gentlemen ia
the fulhlment of that ntimation | come with great
and the length OF the Journey to be present at this
great meeting of the representatives Of the agl cultu
raj interests Of this great State; [cheers i and |
would most gladly, gentlemen, far may be in my
power, do something or say something by way of
compensation for the kindness which you have mani
tested towards me, and expressing the grateful
feelings with which l acknowledge the honor you
have done me in extending to me this invitation.
Gentlemen, the occasion is an agricultural occa-
sion. The topics which have assembled together
L. ALT.
consideration Of that great interest Of society," 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 products and improve
mens OF the mechanical arts, and especially the inn
provements IN the great science and practice of agri-
culture, with the vast advantages which agriculture,
IN the the appropriate OF the word, holds out
the great mass of the society in which live The
Of the earth is not all of agriculture in its
proper common sense. That depends very much
on climate and condition. We speak of agriculture
as that great pursuit of society in which the great
mass of men are engaged in temperate climate, 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, ap-
proprae to tropical climates, which has received the
usual denomination of the pianation-ihe planting
interest of society," Now, gentlemen, what has most
orciDly struck my attention. suggested by what |
have and heard and witnessed to-day is the
vastly superior advantages to individuals and to So
,ie of the truly agricultural over the plantation in
crest desire no better exemplifcaton cf the truth
IF the general sentiment which have advanced than
hat suggested by the comparison-if we may not
more properly call it cOntrasf-exhibted by those
who cultivate the fields of Western New York and
hose who cultivate equally rich soils which lie be-
heath tropical sun. | would compare the agricul-
lure of Western New York with the plantation inte
rest Of the West Indies. Now, does any thing ex-
DIbIt broader contrast between
both dedicated to the cultivation of the land both
rearing products for human consumption-than we
lind between your circles and those found in the
pantaticn tracts of Cuba or jamaica not only as af-
tecting individual happiness, but touching the
riches the strength, the order, the power the inte
sence OF human society
The difference appears TO be this Tropical cult
Vation the raising OF sugar, rice, coffee for example
is rather matter of commerce than Of agriculture |
1t consists mainly in the production of one article
The production Of that article depends the ex-
Dense incurred vr n-,rt ammo
pirate TO its cultivation and this is all eapiiat-
Whenever one would enter upon tropical culture he
invests his capital in the soil, and as we all
we'll know, a portion of it also in labor 1t be- !
comes therefore, rather of the nature Of COM |
nercIal undertaking, than the plain and home |
y, but healthy aud beneiiccnt, field cultiva- !
ion. The consequence is such a philosophic in
,uiry would lead TO expect One is uncertain,
orecariou changeabe, partaking of the vicssitudes
IF trade and commercial enterprise. The other is
home interest always substantially the sameiable,
i is true TO those vicssitudes which attach them
selves to all human concerns, but securing TO him
who enters upon the cultivation of his own hands, a Il
promising to guard him against the
accidents OF life as far is possible for the for
unate human beings. The contrast is evident when |
we examine carefully the condition Of him who |
trusts to tropical culuystion-suppose OF coffee. He
-ases one thing for SALE and only, and buys Of
others every thing else. He has commodity to |
Of 10 md f,up 10
he market Of purchase. Whist is the consequence
IF this state Of things to his finances, 10 his means
If living, Of security and comorti We see al once /
hat as lie produces bat article and that article
commodity subject to the fuctuating prices of the 4
world a depression in its price affects
lim through The ,choe erent # has annual income IT, \
or example, the price Of that article fall 10 per Y
,ent he loses 10 per cent Of his expectations the l
oss goes through the whole product If it rise he is
nriched if il fall he is impoverished. And there
ore, estates which rich to-day may be poor to-
morrow and no man, not possessed of vast capital |
AN rely upon his property for the support and com
ort Of his family aud the education OF his children
rom year to year.
Now, contrast with this state Of the farmer Of
western New York, or of New England, or of Eng
and, or any other strictly agricultural society The
armer of the western part OF New York raises a
reot variety Of articles, a. have by the ex-
ibltions of to-day There Is collected every species
{ useful productions, At for human nutrment, ami
1sl and vegetable. There the Aeeces of his |
ock capable Of being turned TO great extent into O.
he production OF raiment for himself and family.-
tbs raieiy therefore, there i great advantage.
Ic has the of securing 10 himself an ndepend-
nee and ii is true of IN individual as of a nation
bat without independence, no man is man, nor
an he ever be man ICheers II is this which
ives him personal respcctabiity for you will per-
eve that If he has provisions and aeecc, his table is
upplied his family TO n great extent is clothed and,
prices fall how far is he affected Only on the p
recess OF his productions, which, not needing them
Or consumption, he sends TO market Suppose this
xcess be ten per cent of his whole product il
rces fall, then 1T affects only ten per cent of his
1come, while f it falls upon the tropical plantation
runs through his whole product, aud affects his
lhoc income. But the farmer who is governed by
he other principle | have mentioned, eats, drinks,
nd is clothed WITHOUT care as to prices. lie is his
wn consumer. lie buys of himself Ills best Gus
Dmer is himself, his wife, and his healthy children
hese all supplied without reference TO or CON
ern for other markets. Thus, therefore, except as
, thp cy n his urnduct ahpve heir