The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-16

At three O'Clock in the afternoon the company
assembled in front of the stage that had been erect
ed for the occasion, and which the ladies had beau
tfully fcstooned and otherwise ornamented with
flowers. Here the President Of the Society, A. h.
DAVIS, esq, called TO ORDER and announced the
programme Of the proceedings As the speeches
are 10 be publi,hed under the supervision Of the
orators themselves, we will make our sketches Of
them very brief
The orator Of the day, DIR. Higgins, (the State
agricultural Chemistry was first introduced. He
stated that he felt honored in being permitted TO
assume the duty which the Partially Of the mem
bcrs Of the Society had assigned TO him. The oc-
casion was ono Of interest, the purpose being to
arouse the energies Of the people, to awaken them
from torpor and inertness, and to bid them be true
10 their own interests ana happiness. They had
met to conquer, but not by brute force. The sword
was not their weapon, and slaughter not their pur-
pose. Noblcr and holicr objects were before them,
and their tendency peace and goodwill; and while
victory would secure the highest honor. defeat
would entail no disgrace.
The orator briefly reviewed the history Of agri-
culture from the period in which the world emerged
from the gloom Of the dark ages, and described the
many causes that have since then retarded lie pro-
gross. The Crusades, that enkindled the love Of
arms and conquest in the breasts Of men Of all de-
grcos, were detrimental 10 IT,. war Of opinion
succeeded this; and subsequently, iu more sangui-
nary conflicts the right and the wrong were deter
mined. Nor was the invention Of printing, in its
earlier effects, stimulus 10 the pursuits ofthe hus
bandman. The discovery Of new world turned
the minds Of men. not 10 the cultivation Of the soil
IL gave 10 them, but presented gold az the object Of
each Adventures pursuit. Wealth did not then
present lie rewards a rccompcnso; fame was not
10 be found in patient industry and woman's smile
rewarded not the swarthy Of toll. There ap-
pcared 10 be no incentive beyond the necessity
that compelled the imperfect efforts ofthc untaught
husbandman. And when, on this continent. the
attention Of men directed 10 the soil the true
source Of wealth, the facility ofdeserting each field
D. that which was frcshcr and more fertile was
poorly adapted to improve the agricultural art.
The feeble light Of experimental knowledge was
well oontrasted with the period in which The exact
sciences arose TO enable the farmer to go in the
road II constant improvemcnt-the period in which
science and art unite 10 enrich the tcr Of the SOIL
and TO bless mankind.
when Dr. Higgins had concluded, Joseph n
Bradley, esq, addressed tho President, and re-
marked that he observed upon the platform an
aged aud honored citizen, who stood. as il we're, a
link between the past and present generations.
whom the company would be delighted to hear. be
alluded 10 the venerable Mr.. Gusts.
The President replied that the formality Of a vote
Of invitation unnecessary. He could express
what he knew every one felt-an earnest desire
that Mr. Gusts would address 10 the company a
few words Of encouragement.
Mr. Gusts arose amid applause HE appear
ance was hardly that Of an old man. He looked
firm and well, and his eye was az keen and bright
"a that Of youth tself We would do injustice 10
his speech 10 attempt to sketch II; il was
patriotic and encouraging in the highest degree,
| and flashing with powerful exhortations 10 the pur
suit Of the honorable purposes Of the Society, and
with witty anecdotes in illustration. lie directed
his appeals especially to the ladies, whom he de-
scrbcd in SCOTS famous lines
ooh woman, in hours Of ease
Uncertain, coy, and hard 10 please,
And variable az the shade
ny the light, quiv ring aspen made,
| When pain and anguish wiring the brow,
A ninstering angel thou :"
lie nstanced, as worthy of their imitation the he
roic mother Of Wellington mother worthy Of
/ her son