The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-12-20
New York State Agricultural Fair.
EXTRCTs FROM JOSIAH QUINCY's Al
DRESS


The position Of the American Farmer is one Of
immense importance, and the true influence of that
position should be understood 1t should be under
stood, that the individual may know what course to
pursue. To the public, it is Of the highest mpor-
ancc; for every thing which relates 10 agriculture has
influence upon the State
''Princes or Kings may flourish or may fade;
a breath can make them, for a breath has made
But bold yeomanry, our Gounirys pride,
If once destroyed, can never be supplied"
Mr. Quincy said that many farmers dissa,s-
fed with their position and often contrasted their
condition with that Of the successful merchant and
politician. This is wrong. The farmer should be
content to enjoy the ordinary blessings OF life and
good name 10 his postnrity.
What, he asks, is the great object Of pursuit OF
man on earth! 1t is happiness-happiness here and
forever; and the great question is whether agricultural
life offers grea, opportunities ofhaPpneess any
other' To be happy is, uuquestionably, the great
aim of Hfe and the greatest blessing that the ester-
nal world give is Health. ''loalth Of body Says
the son of Sirach ''is above all richest" and where
best, is health to be found Look around YOU, and
on the countenauces of tilers of tho earth you will
see bright eyes and blushing cheeks, and brawny
arms These tell us that the first Of eah's blessings
10 those who till uPoE the earth's bosom Bat
health is not always appreciated Very many prefer
wealth IT, and is unfrequen; to hear the far
complain that the merchant sometimes makes
money in year than he in life time, s.
inquiries whether that vocation is TO be desired
which is thus slow in accommodating wealth? lie
rices health Of body and serenity of mind Follow
him ,hrogh the crowded streets of our commercial
marts. Trace him to his counting room or his work.
shop, and learn the difficulties which he encounters.
For n lime his health continues; but premature de-
cay is often his portions and whn, is worse with his
wealth vanishos his peace Of mind. Those engaged
in hazardous vocaons do, il is conceded, sometimes
get rich rapidly. But there is great risk.
When farmer plants his seed he expects album
dant return IN kind but the merchant often 'sows
the wind and reaps the whirlwnd'a very bad sys-
tenn Of agriculture.
Few merchants can carry their own means
They must borrow; and Solomon says, The borrow
err is 10 the lender IL success comes, does
it often quickIy7 Possibly years of labor may
be rewarded with riches; hut how seldom is this
seen? In the great commercial cities of the land, al
least 90 per cent of all engaged in mercantile pur-
suits fail. The fortunate holder of lottery prize is
plucarded at every of your but what
becomes Oh tne HuetJ anu hIhs WI" uidW oluhNe'
After all, farmer may ask. what is the advantage
Of great wealth And what is wealth?
"A man is as well off, said great New York cap
itast, 'who is worth half a million il he
richn Punch says fhat when Rohschi!d told
that Louis Phillippe's income was but $50 minute
his eyes filed with tears, and remarked, Il was real
ly not aware of tho Kings destitution!' We will
conquer all India said Persus 10 his Prime Minister,
I'VE will then over TO Asia and conquer that.
We will then find other nations to and when
all are subdued,w will then sit down and enjoy our
selves 'But why said the Minister, may not
sit down and enjoy ourselves without going to so
much :roubc!" 1t was the prayer Of an inspired
sage give me neither poverty nor riches and the
great Bacon said, seek proud riches, but suuh
you can get honestly spend frugally and leave cheer
fully Could there be better definition of content
ment found?
Tell your masterr said a Roman General to Per
sian ambassador, who found him cooking his frugal
meal with his own hands, Tell your n,nster that all
the gold in Persia could never bribe who is
tent to live on turnips;-true he was patriotic. II
man would be happy he must have limited desires
Health Of body and contentmen. Of ones state, is
all that give, and to say that agriculture
best adapted this result, is but saying what
has heen thousand times said before. If you have
these certain rewards, you are rich. You need not
coyet the riches Of the merchant. The amount Of
premium is in proportion to the risk run.