The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-18

contribute to your Improvement. Ev-
ery year adds TO the fruits and the
seeds which are centres for the exist
ence of the human race. Tell me, II
you can. in what age the cereal grains
and grasses were first found capable OF
making bread? When was that useful
animal, the COW, domestlcated----or the
gallant horse tanned into the pride of o.
bedience? The pear, the apple, the
cherry, when were they improved from
their wiIdness in the original lorest!---
and who first changed the rough-skinned
almond to the luscious sweetness Of the
peach? For you, farmers, the sons OF
science traverse the forest wild, and
vast prairie, to see if some new grass OF
root can furnish Il new object for the
hands OF culture. For you, farmers,
the earth reveals its mines-its beds OF
mari and mineral wealth. The mex
austaUle beds OF gypsum and loan have
remained for your use, since the first
day of Creation. For you, Africa and
the islands of the Pacific yields beds of
guano; and for you, farmers of Long Is
land, Old Ocean heaves up its tertllzlng
sea weeds. (App!ause.) And as the
farmer receives aid from the whole ma
terial world, SO also his door is open TO
all intelligence.
What truth is not welcome as an in
mate under farmers roof? To what
pure and generous appeal does the far
mer fail to give response? The great
poets and authors OF all times are g her,
ished as his guests. Milton and Shaks-
peare, and their noble compeers, cross
in intimacy his threshold, and keep him
company. For him was the harp of
IsraeL's Minstrel Monarch strung; and
for him were the lips Of jeremiah the
Prophet touched with the glow of fire
from Heaven: Enthusiastic applause.I
The Social Angel when he descended
10 converse with men, brake bread, il
you remember, with the husbandman
beneath the tree. The beauty Of this
sentence, and the emphasis with which
it was delivered, struck as if by eectri-
city the whole assembly. Many thul-
dering rounds of applause followed it,
and seemed to break out spontaneously
again and again Tor an unusual length
Of time.1 Thus the farmers mind is pu-
rlfcd and exalted, and his princi pies
Stand as firm as your own highlands
Lis good deeds flow forth perennially,
like self-moving waters. Yet in his
connection With the human race, the
farmer never loses his patriotism. He
loves America. He is the depository OF
her glory the guardian of her freedom.
lie builds monuments to greatness, and
when destiny permits, achieves heroic
deeds in the eyes Of his race. The soil
f OF New York, which he has beautifed
by his culture, is consecrated by his
victories, to which bow in reverence
for with my eyes do behold the ground
ensanguined by the blood ofrustic mar
tyrs. Where is the land to which their
fame is not waited! Who does not
know the lays and the narratives of the
batlc-feIds of New York? Not u
rock that juts out from your bold noun
tans that is not inscribed with them:
not blade ofgrass that grows at Sara
toga but has tongue, and proclaims
the indomitabe valor of the patriot hus-
bandman. Longand continued cheer
ing Here be the name of Schuyler,
the brave, the generous, the mistaken
patriot, long remembered; and that ol
the glorious George Clinton, a man OF
the soundest heart, and Il soul of homes
ty and honor; the lover Of his country
and Of freedom. Nor do we now for
get him-the gallant Montgomery
twin martyr with Warren, who left his
farm on the banks Of the Hudson-not
as it proved to conquer Quebec, but to
win a mightier victory over death IL
self [Cheers.
could say more to show that the
farmers Of New York have done good
service to their country and to mankind.
They were invested with sovereignty
and they abrogatedit. Glorious exam
pie; bright instance of dismterested JUS
tice! they themselves renounced their
authority and transferred the power in
this republic from its territory to its
men. (Cheers.) May your institutions
endure and may the spirit of improve
ment prevail. May every sound inhu-
ence be in your legislation. May your
iIlustrious example show of the dignity
of labor, the shame that awaits idleness
and the honor that belongs to toil-toi,
the road to fame. Be happiness the
companion of your life, and may the
plough ever be found in the hands of
Its owner. Applause.l The farmer
is independent. With the mechanic and
the manufacturer as his allies, he makes
his country secure from foreign foes,
T. r.