Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-10-02
SKETCH OF JOSIAH oUINcY's address,


Mr., Quincy addressed himself to the President
and Gentlemen Of the New York Agricultural So
clety, and remarked that if there any position
in this world which should inspire a man with elo-
quence, it was that which he now occupied-the
position OF a speaker upon the subject of Agricul-
ture. lie was standing in the centre of the Agri-
cultural population of the greatest State of our
Union Before him the lovely valley Of the Mo-
hawk was stretched out in the dstance-a valley
celebrated in history and rendered glorious in song.
Before him were thousands and tens of thousands,
who had feled the forest and made the wilderness
bud andbossom like the rose. He stood amidst the
evidences of unequalled skill and industry. Be-
meath him soil, rich in its products and above
him Heaven which kindly watched over all We
stand in the great Temple of Agricultural tenn
pie at the uprising of whose columns the morning
stars sang together 1t is temple not made with
hands, but is as high as the Heavens and as broad
as the Earth. But alas the age Of inspiration is
passed, and he never rose to address an audience
when he felt more sincerely to ask indulgence than
now that he was about to address the members of
the New York State Agricultural Society.
He thought that the Agricultural Society had
made great mistake; for he thought it absurd
thing to send to Massachusetts for man to teach
New York Farmers how to manage their FARMS
He wished it to be understood at the outset of his
remarks, that he did not believe that what he should
say would make two blades Of grass grow where
one did BEFORE add augh to the product of wheat
or corn All these things must go on in their old
fashioned way, for aught he had to say.
He proceeded, however, to remark, that all must
feel that the Farmer is more than the Farm and the
influence of his vocation upon the mind OF more
consequence than the vocation ITSELF
| The position of the American Farmer is one OF
immense importance, and the true influence of that
position should be understood. Itshould be under
stood, that the individual may know what course to
pursue. To the public, it is of the highest impor-
| TO- f,r roln tn
has an influence upon the State.
Princes or Kings may flourish or may fade
breath can make them, for breath has made
But bold yeom9nry, our country's PRIDE
i If once destroyed can never be supplied"
Mr. @. said that many farmers dissatisfied
with their position, and often contrasted their con-
dton with that of the successful merchant and pol
tican. This is wrong. The farmer should be
content to enjoy the ordinary blessings OF lfe and
to transmit the enviable heritage OF industry and
good name to his posterity.
What, he asked, is the great object of pursuit of
man on earth? 1t is happiness happiness here
and forever; and the great question is, whether ag-
ricu'ural life offers great opportunities of hap
piness as any other? To be happy is, unquestion-
ablv the great object of life; and the greatest
blessing that the external world can give is Health
"Heath of BODY" says the of Sirach, is above
all richest" and where best is health to be found ?
Look around YOU, and on the countenances of the
tillers of the earth you will see bright eyes and
, blushing cheeks, as well as Suong muscles ana
brawny arms. These tell us that the first of earths
blessings belongs to those who till upon the earths
bosom. But health is not always Appreciated
Very many prefer wealth to it and it is not unre-
quent to hear the farmer complain that the mer-
chant sometimes makes more money in one year
than he can in lifetime, and inquiries whether
that vocation is most to be desired which IS thus
slow in accommodating wealth?
But what price does the merchant pay for this
rapid accumulation of wealth? He sacrifices health
of body and serenity of mind. Follow HIM through
the crowded streets of our commercial marts Trace
him to his countingroom or his workshop, and learn
the dificulties which he encounters. For time,
his health continues but premature decay is often
he norton, and what is worse, with his health,
finishes uT his peace of mind. Those engaged in
hazardous vocatons do, he conceded, sometimes
get rich rapidly. But there is great risk. When
the farmer plants his seed he expects an abundant
return in kind but the merchant often "sows the
wind and reaps the whirlwind "a very bad system
of agriculture.
Few merchants can carry on their business sue
cessfhlly upon their own means They must bor-
row; and Solomon says, "The borrower is a SER
yeant to the lender" If success comes does 1t Of
ten come quickly? Possibly years of labor may
be rewarded with riches but how seldom Is even