The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-26

Nd delivered at Rockville on THURSDAY,
September Is, 1919.
Friends and Feaoto- citizens:
We are assembled TO confer with each other on
the subject OF husbandry, or agriculture. In what
estimation this pursuit may now be consid-
cred, IT formerly was esteemed TO confer honor and
respectabihty upon civilians of the highest emf
hence, and warriors of the greatest renown. The
Egyptians yenerated the animals employed IN the
cultivation of the soil; and il was subject oil
thanks to their gods, by the Greeks, that the sol
diers were withdrawn from war, and permitted 10
cultivate the earth in peace In our own country,
we have had one greater than Cato In our peloVeu
Washington; who having attained an eihinehce
unequalled in the enduring respect ana commence
not only of his fellow citizens but OF the clIeu
world al no period of his life whether at the head
of a victorious army or President of the United
States, did he prize his enJoyments and honors SO
high, as when he was ranked among the American
farmers.
To me il has been mystery, that labor, vital 10
the sustenance of man Shd beast, when bestowed
upon our mother earth, TO develope Its treasures,
to bring forth its bounties in grain and vegetables
beauties in shrubs, plants, and howers; TO make
known its capacity to produce the various kinds of
fruits so delicious TO the taste and promotive of
health its strength and adaptation TO the produc-
ton of the various kinds OF trees, essential Tor con-
structing ships and houses and for fuel and orna-
ment-- should be considered by us in this land of
liberty and professed republican simplicity, less
honorable than the learned professions, the desk,
the toilsome office, the mercantile, brokerage, or
other employments; and particularly than the
science of learning 10 XIII our fellow men by
and land, whom we are required TO consider as our
brethren, created by the same hand and bound TO
the same eternity. And yet so ii is. Our young
men, and particularly those in cities, seek for
almost every employment except the hoe and the
plough.
No people, of whose history we have any know
ledge equal Americans in courage and skill IN the
heat of battle, patience and energy in the toll
some march, or enterprise in the pursuit of wealth
and intelligence But when put to manual
labor the weather s too hot cold, too wet or
too dry for our feeble constitutions and predsposi-
ton disease. One of our first objects should be,
TO elevate the rank Of the laboring classes In doing
this, would depress no other class or calling;-
.Worth makes the man, and want oft, the fellow"
The gentleman farmer, by which is understood
man of wealth, who spends his money in the social
circle, at the table, in feasting pampered appe-
tie, in discharging the offices of hospltaltyand
his time in theorizng overseeing, on horseback,
his laborers-may be envied by those who love ease,
and like "to eat the bread of idleness;" when the
man who rises with the lark spends the day in
honest industry in cutivating the earth, and retres
when the invites him to rest, is looked upon by
the same persons as degraded by his employment,
and under the severe chastlsements OF an oyerrul-
ing Providence.
II should be the aim of all 10 public senti-
ment in this particular.
Farmers and the sons of farmers, should qualify
themselves for dischar the duties of the various
Offices under the State and General Government,
and thereby commend themselves to the respect
and confidence of their fellow citizens. Such are
the facilities for gaining information that every
farmer having taste for reading may be so well
instructed in chemistry and botany, as TO decide
with great accuracy the different qualities of soils,
and their fitness for the various crops he may wish
10 cultivate.
Various agricultural publications, some one Of
which is within the means Of every TO pro-
cure, contain valuable information We owe a
debt of gratitude TO John S Skinner your fellow
citizen, for his early and more recent efforts 10 dis
semnate information among the agricultursts
His writings are invaluable in the hands of every
person employed in agricu tural or mechanical
pursuits. The -4nericon Farmer, which he first
established, still maintains its llearned charac
ter, and is ably conducted by its intelligent
editors.
Matthew Carey and Hezekiah Niles were cham
pions for the farmer ana mechanic.
IL should be part of the system of common
school, academic, and collegiate education, To learn
"the art and mystery of farming" and practically
10 know the use Of all farming implements; and
such was the case formerly in the New Eng land
States, and probably to great extent in Maryland
Who have been and the most distinguished
men Of our country, the foremost in responsibility
in benevolence, in charity, in endowing asy lums;
sChools and colleges, IL there one TO be designated
who has felt that he made of finer clay than his
laboring ncghbor? Not one.
II there il youth in the land who aspires to the
honor Of representing this country at the Court OF
u
sent appointed minister, selected for his sterling
integrity, intelligence, and virtue. writer in
Boston, speaking Of him, says: "A poor, unknown,
and friendless boy" 1--WE use his own language
che entered the city, which, since that time, his
own experience has done much 20 elevate and
his own munihcence 10 adorn; and the FIRST em-
ployment he was engaged in, he often told us, was
that Of porter 30 his brother; and many heavy
load said be, often wheeled through the streets IN
hand-cart."
However much We are captivated by wealth,
however much We love ease; II we desire toimprove
and elevate the mind, 10 iortfy and strengthen the
spiritual, must keep the corporal man in full
yigor by industrial action.
Agriculture is the most important science 10
which the human intellect can = directed-the pa
rent Of all other science and art By il, the exist
ence Of man and Beast is prolonged, commerce and
manufactures cherished aud sustained.
This section Of the country has langlishcd by
neglecting this science, and by the direction given
% labor Immediately after It's settlement. Under
the charter Of Charles the First, Virginia having
made the cultivation Of tobacco primary object,
il followed a consequence, from the contguity
and intercourse Of the people in the two colonies
AZ well as from the foreign demand, that Maryland
cultivated the same plant. The price was fixed by
Law at three shillings pound; and although kings
James and Charles were more sverse 20 It's use than
most Of the public men q the present day, their
policy then was, II ever has been since with the
British government, 20 encourage the labor and
productions Of their colonies, when put in compeu.
ton WIN ihe INDUSTRY % any ONhtf part OF lht
world.
II immediate profit, If the large estates which
were amassed are alone considered, II was, with.
out doubt, more lucrative business than any that
could have been followed al that time. Every sec
ton Of the aboard Of Maryland and Virginia IN
the stately mansions, In the extensive plantations
contains incOntrovertibe proof that wealth and
luxury once sbOunded here. They are seen at th,
present day in your enlarged benevolence and lib
crafty.
This culture however, without a succession Of
other crops exhausted the coil, and Mr.. Jefferson
spoke Of ii. in HE notes Virginia, IN the follow
ing words: ut j. culture productive Of infinite
wretchedness. Those employed In il are in con
tnued q eTerton, beyond The power Of nature
% support Little food Of any kind is raised by
them; ~ that the men and animals, on these farms
are badly fed, and the earth is rapidly imPover
ished."
The early histories represent the country Dor
dering on the Chesapeake bay and on the rivcri
discharaing their waters into Il, ~ generally fer
tile Nv own opinion has been frequently cx
pressed that the clements u good living abound II
greater abundance the Delaware and Chesa
peake bays, and their tributaries ~ the mountain
region, than in any other part Of this continent
The general face of the country u unsurpassed IN
beauty, and the spring. and rvules contribute