Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-10-09
Judge Douglass Speech
BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE AGRICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.
ROCHESTER,, Sept.

ROCHESTER,, Sept. 20th
have not the presumption to suppose that can
tighten this immense assembage OF scientific and prac
teal farmers by any thing say the subject OF
agriculture The theme is vast, and embraces so
many coordinate branches oil scence and industry that
mere enumeration Of these would far exceed the linn
its Of this DISCOURSE
Agriculture has found larger field for the exercise
OF the intellectual and moral energies of man in this
country, than in any other the globe IL has found
here the conditions of its fullest development and its
most ample suecess-the greatest stimulus TO exerton,
and the highest reward Our country embraces great
er extent OF territory, more fertile SOIL more diver
sihed climate, and above all far more Intelligent en-
ergete and Independent yeomanry, than any other with
whose agricultural productions it is competing for
the markets of the world. Our lands cheap, and
not exhausted BY the cultivation of twenty centuries.
Our farmers the of the soil in lee-simpe,
while the abolition of the laws of primo geniture pre-
vents the accumulation OF real property IN the hands oil
few land owners Our country the first that has set
the world the example OF independent farming-the first
that has restored agricultural labor to that natural Dig
nifty OF which the feuda systems OF the old world had
deprived it. Every planted by the American far
mer, every shrub, every flower he cultiyates every
hedge he grows, is his own, and deseends inheri
tance TO his children.
Agriculture in this country is a highly respectable,
and, at the time most attractive pursuit. Ii is
not only resOrted TO means OF acquiring honest
independence, but dgni6ed and peasurable occu-
patton by men Of science and letters by statesmen and
warriors merchants and navigaors in short by all who
have gathered wealth, honor and distinction in other
pursuits Of life.
Of ensaved peasantry il produced little than
the neeessaries of life Ii remained sluggish la
bor; consuming meas physical strength, and descend
ing with little improvement from father son, among
those who were born and bred to IL. Happily for the
progress Of mankind the condition Of the agricultural
laborer has changed in many parts OF the world, and
IS small source OF pride and gratitcatlOn Tor us 10
know that II is the example OF America which has
wrought the change and restored agriculture to its or
ginal rank among the honorable occupations OF
1t IS now profession calling II It's aid science
and the mechanic arts and every branch the
ventive genius of The farmer, instead of merely
following the beaten track Of his ancestor, now brings
TO his pursuit his powers OF inquiry and investga
ton. Chemistry teaches him the nature and quality Of
the ingredients composing his SOIL the species Of crop
most suitable to its productive power and the kinds o
he must use and the proportion OF cattle he
keep make his farm productive As he
quires knowledge Of chemistry, Of agricultural geolo
gy. and Of the physiology Of plants and animals, his
crops become certain, and his reward more sure
Armed with knowledge, the fertility Of mans mcd has
discovered remedies for the sterty OF soils, aud found
Of guarding the fruits Of his labor against
the vicisstudes Of climate This is not all. The Ame
rcan farmer possesses the Of multiplying labor
and thereby its reward, by the most ingenious and e
fective machinery.
Great the ratioof our farming population ray be-
compared TO that engaged in other pursuits 1t ars as
yet proportion the quantity Of uncultvated lands
We have more so than people to render it productive
while the very opposite ratio exists IN the Old World
As manual labor is expensive and procured with dl n
Guilty machines naturally called take its place
without detrment the laborer. The machine Dies
not deprive him OF empoyment,-t merely performs
that labor for which he has time to spare, and
without which his cultivation would be confined to
narrow limits No country can award higher premi-
um the inventive genius Of machnists than own:
boast Of greater number Of inventions applI
cable to agricultural and the mechanic Our agri-
cultural machines especially have excited the admira-
ton of the world; and along with our substantial
achievements In that department OF industry It IS per,
haps not unpleasant have exorted the testimony ol
England on late occasion, to the ingenuity displayed
by American inventors.
The growth Of our country marked by the advance
Of agriculture. Agriculture is settling our new
States and territories agriculture gives employment to
our workshops; agriculture furnishes the products
which form the basis Of foreign and domestic com
merce: agriculture by supplying the bulky articles o.
our exports employs the tonnage of builders
and in seeking markets for its increased products, calls
for the construction Of railroads and canals The farms
Of Western New York demanded the construction o
the Erie Canal and the Of the Western State.
now call for its enlargement As the Western State:
and Territories become settled and agricultural pro
cessary to furnish Of transportation 10 the sea
board The West is desrous OF seeming every ayenu
to the II requires the navigation Of the Mssissp
pi and Of the St. Lawrence, the canals OF New York
Pennsylvania Ohio Indiana and Illinois, and all th
railroads constructed in process OF construction
from the sea coast to the Mississippi valley. And al
these facilities will yet prove insufficient 10 form ade
uuate outlets for the constantly aeeumnlatng product
Of the Western farmers. New lines OF communicate
will be called into existence and il is extremely doub
fnl whether the capital and enterprise Of the countr
will be able 10 keep pace with the increased demand
for internal Improvements .
Tins agriculture stimulates every species of indu
try and Is the parent and supporter Of them all Wha
would ask, would be the present eond,toa o. our 70
eien commerce. had il net been Stimulated by the !
creased productions Of agricultural What the ccnd
ton Of our mercantile navy, an steamers and sailin
ships already ogtsPag ina, & Of the , lsa maritime 1 D
ture that make up fsights, and furnish the Princip
pcstion Of our foreign exchanges.
And t Is fortunate for us for the preservation oil o.