The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-10-30
THE GALE D OMAN.
From the N. Y. Tribune.
Fletcher Webster's Anniversa-
rv Address,

10 very laISC uuuIeuCc. MT w. AFTER SOM
Introductory remarks, proceeded to say
Among the objects in the list of those t
which the Society was devoted, Agriculture
stood first, and, us all no doubt would admit
derservedly so. Its consideration was more
over especially appropriate at this time. From
causes connected with Agriculture the com
mercia world was now shaken to its centre
Houses whose operations extended over three
quarters of the globe, OH whom governments
1epended and by whom dynasties were now
swept to the ground by The pressure. From
the same causes thousands Of human beings
Ind persisted, and the cry ofdre distress had
risen SO that our own country and Govern
.ment, forgetting all national distinction, had
sent forth such charities as the world never
saw before. And all this because little
root, which, two hundred years ago the old
world borrowed ofthe new, had failed to yield
its usual harvest.
Mr. Webster here enlarged on the recent
charity ofAmerca to Ireland to The great sat
isfaction of his audience, describing with
much force the suffering caused by the fam
inc. He concluded this passage by saying
that there might again be battles, and our
ships might again ride victorious over the
sea- but none could ever attain the renown
that Mercy and Charity had given to the
jamestown and Macedonian. &"
But Agriculture, apart from considerations
like the above, was always subject of the
highest importance. Ii was so as it brought
man into relations with Nature Nature
was grand because il was connected with
the sublimest sciences, leading the submits
sive thoughts from Nature up to Natures
God. The flowers, the joyous SPRING the
returning seasons aud the morning were all
great evidences of the protecting care ofthe
Divine Providence and ofthe Divine Bounty
On the morning Mr. Webster dwelt at con
siderable length, Introducing II long and fine
quotation from popular writer he finally
conirasted the works of man with those Of
the Almighty, showing how feeble, poor and
silly they were in comparison.
In ehdenvorng to speak of Agriculture he
must be general; for he WIS not like the pa
triurchs of old, or like Dande Dinmont, cum
ming in f1ocks or herds. Beside, that assem-
bly, was rather place TO learn than to teach
the details of that noble art a
"A Agriculture was an indication of civilian
ton, one advanced with the other. Now
too, it was no longer an occupation for poor
"a and peasant, but il had become Il science
u all other sciences were pressed into its SER
vice.
In other countries the demand for agricul-
ural products at best kept close upon the
supply, and the great business of statesmen
was TO keep in advance of the want of food.
a The day was distant when this country would
A be i'll such position, but still we should be
50 at last. We must then provide for that
result by timely attention to Agriculture In
this respect we might learn from China.
Here Mr. Webster sketched the leading pecu-
iaritics ofChnese Agriculture to the great
interest and amusement of the audience. 1t
would he long before we reached the cond-
non OF over peopled China, but yet we might
Wen learn from her to ward off the evils of
mat condition by careful Agriculture. We
might also adVantageously learn from her
her good policy ofprotecting the labor of her
own people,
A distinguished citizen of Massac husetts
non. Abbott Lawrence, had recently made
no Harvard University donation of uncxam-
pied muufcence for the purpose establish
ing school practical science He hoped
1t would not be long before an agricultural
school, equally well provided, might some
where be established, aud when it should be
tmght be looked for nor far from the great
Metropolis of the western world.
No nation could truly be called indepen-
dent that relied on others for food. Great
Britain, for instance, with all her power and
N greatness was still weak, because she could
N 10y Woylde for her own people.
wv nat were her arts and learning, her wealth, |
ef aFH'les, her nayes, her bristling fortifica-
Ious and ocean BARRIERS; what the utmost or
x 'aer OF valor against famine?
Inc CONVICTION of the necessity of Il home |
supply was now producing great attention to
agriculture. France and England were, both
Engaged in the advancement of Agriculture,
p't sought the end by means wholly different.
Ill England land was held and cultivated in
steat estates-in France by intinitisimal sub
CCNlsions. Neither Of these modes was free |
rom great evils. In the island of CeyIon il |
nad been attempted TO escape the conse-
quences of the latter method bv what WINS
called Polyandrism. There, for instance.
Three brothers would all marry one woman.
ana instead of dividing still farther their little
DTS OF land, the way was to bequeath it in a
mass to their common family. .u'
Here in This country the true condition
was more nearly approached. He did not
speak OF the mode of cultivation pursued at
t s south, but of what was usually called |
SSa.'n'ing He addressed farmers not planters
~ naa been supposed that the cultivation
I mJIa be made perfect when the land was
b aonu oy the few; but in such system the la
J ,IterS must necessarily be degraded When
' Jn was poorly paid and there was great
tho ;,,n' Tor food with but small supply,
nor oep'oVement of a few great estates was
aS y. much value or public benefit.
land WI us, when each man had Just about
Nv II,.lough, the country was most beautiful |
\ of cni;ly generaly;and there was no want
\ meons 'l'ened men to devote their time and
The n 10 discoveries and improvements for
ali 600 soou OF others and of themselves. But
Tins gre gre, not ready to adopt the improvements |
and claae. Prejndices must be overcome
Mod, iers were always great conservatives
Drova'' a'e estates were best adapted to i'm