Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-09-24

Gov. WRIGHT'S ADDRESS
At thee Exhibition of the New York State
Agricultural Society. Sept. 10th, 1917

Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the .State Agri-
cultural SOris'y Had it been my purpose 10 enter
tain you with an culUglum upon the great Interests
coniied to your carc-the Agriculture Of the State
] should find mysellforestale by the exhibition which
surrounds US, and which hts pronounced that eulogy
to the eye, much more iorcihly iinpressively, eloquent
", than | could command language to pronounce 10
the ear OF this assembly.
Had | mistakenly proposed to address to you a dis
course upon agricultural production, this exhibition
would have driven me from my purpose, by the convic-
ton that am a backward and scarcely initiated scho-
lar, standing in the presence Of masters, with the least
instructed and experienced OF whom, it would be my
duty 10 exchange places.
The agriculture of our S,1tc, far as il yet is from
maturity and perfection, has already become an art, a
science, a profession, in which he who would instruct
must be inst himself instructed far beyond the ad-
yancencnt of HIM who now addresses you.
The pcrvadlng character of this great and vital in
terest, however, its intimate connection with the
wants, comforts and interests Of every man IN every
employment and calling in lie, and lis controlling re-
lations TO the oInmerce manufactures, substantial in
dependence, and general health and prosperity of our
whole people, present abundant subjects for contem-
plation upon occasions like this, without attempting 10
explore the depths, or to define the principles OF n sci
ence SO profound, and to the uninillated, 50 difficult as
is that OF agriculture.
Agricultural production is the sub stratum of the
whole superstructure the great element which spreads
the sail and impeis the car of commerce, and moves
the hands and turns the machinery OF manufacture
The earth is the common mother OF all, IN whatever
employment engaged, and the fruits gathered from it.
% I'LL, lit ulht tt lnil~lEil-dbA' I'M anu sup
port of all. The productions OF its surtace and the
treasures of its mines are the material upon which the
labor OF the agriculturist, the merchant, and manulac'
turer, are alike bestowed, and are the prize Tor which
all alike toll,
The active stimulus which urges all forward excites
industry, awakens ingenuity and brings out invention
is the prospect or the hope Of market for the pr,oduc-
tons of their labor. The farmer produces to sell the
merchant purchases to sell and the MANUFACTURER
fabricates TO sell. Sclfconsumptiono of their respective
goods, although an indispensable necessity OF life, is q
mere incident in the mind impelcd to acquisition. To
gam that which is not produced or acquired, by the
tale OF that which Is possessed, is the great struggle OF
iaborlng man.
Agricultural production is the first in ord r, the
e,rongesi in necessity, and the highest in usefulness, in
nus whoie system OF acquisition. The other branches
sa'u upon II are sustained by it, and without 1t could
NOV eAist elAl, 1t has been almost uniformly, as the
"hoie history OF our State and country will show, the
n,os. heiiecteu' Apprenticeship. education, a specific
uo: ma us!s tshlahc instruction, has been, time out OF
mlln, CONSIDERED as Indispensable prerequisite to
creditabie or successful engagement in commercial mr.
'hccha''cai pursuits while TO know how TO WELD the
axe, 10 hold the plow, and to swinu the scvthe has
been deemed sufficient to entitle the possess3r ot ,hn,
agricultural employment. ""s'' ~
A simple principle of produchon md Of ,.
ways practically applied to manufactures md com
merce, that the best and chenpest ariel. ,,II ~. IN
mand the market, and prove the mos; prof,obls y IT,
producer and the seller, because mos beneficial ,o ,e
ouyer ana colsnmsr, Is but beginning to receive ne
application TO agriculture. The merchant vLo -
a more extensive acquaintance viii his occuDni;an a
IAN OF our readers are already apprispd of tho end
den demise OF Gov. WRIGHT, ut his residence in Can.
s3n, on me 2'lh OF August, This address was com
gielea me evening before his death, and was read at
"e Exhibition to-day, by the Hon, JoIy A, DIX,