The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-20
Vol. H..


to be equal to the antcipations Of its friends, and
the necessities of the people Of the State.
Banks in our country are founded on the credit
system. A system of credit Is an essential auxil-
iary to the prosperity of free, enterprisng, and
enlightened people. In those countries where des-
potism prevails to the greatest extent, and where
the laboring classes Of the people are the most op-
pressed, Banks of issue are not known. Hence il
Is, in these countries, that the man who is INDECENT
in early life, whatever may be his native ability and
energy of character, ends TEDIOUS existence as he
commenced it.
Already are twenty.one banks doing business
under the provisions Of the new law, and two more
have complied with the requistion of the law, and
WILL in a few days, 20 into operation. And alrea-
dy do the people of Ohio begin to feel the infu-
ence Of this system ,nthe restoration Of confidence,
the revival OF business, the increase ot the wages
of labor, and the rising prosperity Of the State. A
Bank system which secures to the people good
paper medium of exchange, convertible at all times
into gold and silver on demand, is evden cs of an
advanced state of civilization, Of the prosperity OF
commerce, and Of the progressive improvement Of
the country. ..
Agriculture, being the most important branch Of
industry in this State, and furnishing more ext ten.
sive employment to our citizens than any other
pursuit, cannot receive too much attention and en-
culiarly adapted by nature to this first and most i'm
portant occupation of man. With territory OF
more than forty thousand square miles, the chief
part OF which is not only fitted for the purposes OF
Gu tivation, but composed Of a soil remarkable for
isl fertility, as well as its peculiar adaptation to the
most essential, useful and valuable agricultural
products, this State is capable Of occupying prom
inent position among the countries of the world in
the products of the soil. The elements of CONNER
cial and manufacturing industry in this State must
continue to be chiefly dependent on the staple pro-
ducts of the soil. This great branch of industry
must, therefore, constitute the principal foundation
of our prosperity. tits, therefore, consideration
of no ordinary import, that the attention of the
people of this State should be directed with pecu-
liar interest to the various Improvements, and use-
ul discoveries, in the art Of agriculture and that
the fostering hand of the government should not
be withheld from this most extensive pursuit OF our
people.
By neglect and unskilful tiage, nearly one half
of the products Of this great source of wealth and
may be lost Already it is apparent, in
some parts of the State that deterioration of the
soil has taken place, and great want of skill exists
in the production Of crops. The agrlculturasts
in our State have not adopted those Improvements
and useful discoveries which have been made in the
cultivation Of the soil The lights OF science and
practical instructions have, with eminent success,
been applied in some countries to the art Of agri
culture, by which this branch of industry has been
greatly elevated the minds Of those engaged in it
much enlightened, and their labor rendered doubly
productive.
1t must be admitted by every enlightened mind,
that scientific knowledge is as important in the i'm
OF agriculture as 1t is in the manufac.
turing or the mechanic arts. We learn, from reIi-
able sources, that agricultural schools have been
established in some parts of Europe, with highly
beneficial results and that improved methods have
been adopted, by which an average crop of wheat
has been increased from II to IA bushels per acre,
to 26 to 30 and in some choice sois great as for
ty.fve and 80 bushels per acre have been raised.
commend this subject to your especial atten-
ton and regard, and submit to your consideration,
whether important and most beneficial results
might not be derived from the establishment and
efficient management Of an agricultural department
under the government A proposition for simi.
lar department under the general government was
once zeaously urged by President Washington
upon the attention Of Congress. Under the exist
ing state of AFFAIRS It probable that an institution
Of this character could be more Immediately useful
by being under the control Of the State Govern
ment.
Although manufactures and commerce in this
State must depend on the prosperity of agricutu.
raj pursuits, yet the agricultural cannot be nde.
pendent Of the manufacturing and commercial In
terests. In the great branches of industry, there
is mutually Of dependence and reciprocity of
benefits The agriculturist cannot prosper without
\ market for his surplus products. Foreign markets
must always be more or less variant and uncertain
The most certain and reliable market for our agri-
cultural products, is that which Is furnished by
consumers at home; and this can only be secured
by system of protective policy on the part of the
general government. Under wise and enlight-
,ned course OF policy on the part Of the general
government, with the immense resources which
,ur State Affords and the active and untiring spirit
If enterprise which our people possess, scarcely
my thing could occur OF sufficient power to blight
he prosperity OF our State, or stay the march Of i'm
,rovemcnt. 'a'
The subject of education has been so often
rought to the consideration of the legislature that
need scarcely do mere than call your attention
o former Executive communications. The i'm.
ortance of liberal and thorough system of educa-
ion, cannot be too highly esti mated The future
haracter of our people, and the future destiny of
ur free institutions, are in no small degree depen,
ent upon it. It is perhaps matter Of no little !
urprse. that hitherto, subjects of mere temporary,
nd comparatively inconsiderable interest, have
coupled the attention of the legislature, to the
reat neglect of asubiect OF such immense impor-
anCe ~ tnis, not ouiy W e great p0uy OF tne peO.
le at the present PERIOD but also to future gener-
tions 1t is true. that much has already been ef-
scted, by our present system Of common schools. |
'ut even superficial observer must admit that il
deficient, and for want Of energy and efficiency,
as utterly failed to meet the expectations of It's
'iends. The example Of other States has taught |
$, that is within the power of the legislature 70
dopt measures which will bring the system of |
ommon schools to a high degree Of perfection.
respectfully recommend to your consideration |
he expediency Of establishing State Board Edu- |
alton, and the appointment Of competent aud
ltable person as State Superintendent Of Com
ION Schools; and, also, the adoption Of measures
lat will give more energy and efficiency to the
ounty and school district supervision, and man
cement Of the system. Among the liberal and
nlghted persons in Ohio, who entertain enlarged
Jews, and are eminent for their benevolence and
ieir regard for the cause Of education, can be
,sily found persons who will faithfully discharge
! the duties which can appropriately be enjoined
pom State Board, without any charge for their
rvices. In matter, however, Of such magni.
dc and enduring public interest, as that Of impro-
ng the means ef common school education, nsi-
er pecuniary considerations, nor party feelings,