Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-10-09
nlisrcllnucous.
HON. FREDERICK HoLBRooK,
ADDRISs

At THE VERMONT STATE FAIR, MIDDLEBURY,
SEPTEMBER 10, 1851.
Gentlemen of The Termoat state Far:
When received the invitation from your
COMMITTEE of Arrangements TO address YOU
on this occasion, | lelt such an entire dis
trust Of my powers and qualifications for the
proper performance Of the duty, as almost
TO induce me to decline the honor at once.
When | considered that highly respecta-
BILE and intelligent audience would here be
gathered that It would be desirable 10 give
such a tone and direction to tins volunteer
and preliminary movement OF the farmers
OF Vermont as Go lead to a permanent or
gauizalnn for the encouragement aud I'M
pro,ement of tie agriculture of the State
that a high standard of excellence would
therefore very properly be required from the
person who should stand ln tins place tins
day; that my course ul lite had never CIV
en- ne The slightest training iur the prepare
ton and delivery oi pubic addresses |
doubted whether At would Toe possible for me
To do Justice 10 your cause, To satsb you
or even myself Ga the other hand, | con
sIderod that the improvements of Agrcul-
lure claimed, and that had long since de-
lermned they should receive, lhe best
thoughts aud eligrts Of my hio that | had
been invited to thls task by men whom |
highly esteem as cuizcns, aud for their zeal
and efficient efforts for the promotion Of The
Cause which interests me so deeply; aud It
therefore seemed To me to be my duly to at
tempt the service to which had been cal
led.
The venerable Socrates said "Agricul-
lure is an employment the most worthy the
application OF man, the most ancient aHd
the most suitable TO his nature; It Is the
common nurse of all persons, IA every age
and condition of HE It Is the source OF
health, strength, plenty aud riches, and of a
thousand sober delights and honest pleas
ures II Is the mistress and school of sobrl-
ely, temperance, justice, religion, and, IN
short, of all virtues" That II is an EN-.
ployment the most worthy the application
of man, the most ancient, and the most suit
able TO his nature. We may learn from his
earliest history. Ga the sixth day of the
Creation, after form had been given TO mat
ter, and the vegetable aud lower animal
world had been brought forth 10 lie,
There waited yet tho masler-so,k, the end
OF all yet done D oie ature who, not pione
And hute as other creatures, but endusd
With sanoty Of reason, mi hl erect
llis siature, and upright with fout serene
Gvvrtn the rest, sef showing"
Man, the chief of all Gods works, wal
then made, and commanded to subdue an,
cultivate the ground. Thus early did th'
Creator assign ms most important pursuit
and from thence alone, we may infer H.
sniableness 10 his nature, aud It's superior
dignity. Ever since The ancient period, th'
et,' lis been the common mother of u
"i, i',ding all. The productions of It's sur
l'rr and tue treasures of It's interior are th
great materials IN Commerce aud Manuiac
'1r' =, ,'e grand elements :npelhng the la
- ""d enterprises OF nearly universe
'"'" Inc cultivation of the earth is Ih
s"d'or al health aud strength to a degre
superior TO most OF the other pursuits O
man; aud that 1T is the source Of thou
sand sober delights aud honest pleasures
mas passed TO proverb. Numbers of III
puiest, greatest and best of men, after year
oil active toll aud usefulness, after wearin
TIE highest honors earth could bestow, hay
retired 10 the farm, and there realized tn