Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1850-03-15

l rise TO address you on this interesting occa-
sion, with much misunderstanding how
ever, entirely from a conscious untitness for the
task which the kind partality of the members
OF the Farmers Club of Kcnosha County has
imposed upon me, and not at all from a dread of
meeting ccnsure in an honest attempt to interest
and please. And feel a confidence that from
the members OF this association, nor from this
respected audience. | shall stand in TO danger
OF unkind remarks or ungGnerous criticism. 1t
Is well known to many of yOu, that ! do not
ciam TO be an crater, nor scholar, and that
have seldom if ever presumed to address public
assemblies of any kind or upon any occasion
and | will suggest that if in the few remarks
which have prepared for this occasion, | lave
| adopted in some measure, the sentiments and
language OF able writer's on agriculture, | trust
they VIII be none the less interesting or instruct
I'VE. The Farmers, perhaps nofe than any 9TH
or class OF community need cline upon line and
proccFt upon preccpt," to stimulate them to sue
ccsstul action in their honorable and useful call
ing. III civilized country, the base the loun-
daIon stone of all other professions and pursuits
is agricultura-and where a country has wise.
sktul, and industrious farmers it is rich, pow
criu and espcctable-and where the contrary
Is found, II IS Place that no man desires TO see,
or cares for.
tutcs the subsistence of man. 1t is the Oldest
art Of which we have any knowledge 1t was
the occupation chosen bv God, for the first man
Adam-by 1t Nations and communities arc kept
together. 1t is the bond Of union, that uniteS all
society, and is more conducive to health, and
more strictly united with religious and moral
virtue, than amy other. 1t is the agrcuturalist
WHO supports the commercial man, the mechan-
ic, the professional man, and the manufacturer
1t is the agricultural body that constitutes the
bone and muscle Of the Naton-that fights the
battles and pays the taXcs-t for however money
Is raised, 1t finally comes from the soil, through
the hands OF the laborer. Agriculture is the
conman-ilg interest ofthc Country-with which
no single interest, or al others combined. can
be brought into competition All OF food, and
OF cl;taing,--aIl that sUstains and protects the
body, i, the product agricultural labor, in some
OF lis various forms. Agriculture also is the
foundation Of wealth. Money is coveted, be-
cause it can command labor. But of what avail
would il b., if labor would not BE- command
ed What would 1t avail It's TO possess all the
gold OF California, if thereby We could not pro-
cure the products Of agriculture What are
all the manufactures concerned in. but these pro-
ducts What freight the banks of commerce
b"t the products of agriculture? What consti-
tuteS the wealth of the country, but her cotton,
henN, WOOL sugar. rice, wheat beef and pork
1t Is true thar the merchant the manufacturer,
iAc sailor, tue various artizans and trad2smen,
perform their part IN making these products more
IaIua0e-ln transporting them, and in putting
them IN a condition Ter uae-bul agriculture a
'22a produces. She supplies, she feeds, She
qnckans al.
The strength and riches Of a country, arc in
proportion 10 the excel nee Of its agriculture,
Inc agnculIurailet, then, has right to be dis
uhcuy heard IN the councils OF the State and
nation, In the enactment oil laws, his Interests
d'mand paramount attention. In the dIitGsion OF
education and knowledge, he IS the most mtcr-
est'd. 1t he iortets these rights by negligence
or sNil.ra them to escape from his hands BY non
/ usage his aionels Il iault-hc alone must bear
the consequences.
The occasion, Mr.. President, which brought
us together to-day, Is one OF no ordinary interest
/ Ia the farmers OF tals County. 1t being the first
! agricultural exhibition IN the State OF NlScon-
/ sin, and showing as It does desire, a"d deter
( nhauon TO Stimulate each other to make an Ell
! t'rI to improve TIC present state OF agriculture
IN tins new and beautiful reglor OF country.
That agriculture has made great advances
, within few years, no one acquainted with the
~ al hat jl. - h