The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13


icy, by which We can secure, perpetuate, and
improve that which we have, but TO get moro
and more. While excitement and enterprise
swell every heart and animate every leglsa-
tive body, can we not prohtably pause for a
few moments to consider the details OF that
policy, so thoroughly studied, practiced, under
stood, and earnestly recommended by one who
through life guided, sustained and conducted
us from little band of patriots to great and
model nation!
Mr.. Jefferson in his sixth annual message,
recommends a national establishment for edu-
cation He uses this language:
mot that it would be proposed to take ITS
, ordinary branches out of the hands of private
enterprise, which manage so much better all
the concerns to which it is equal, but public
institution can alone supply those sciences,
which, though rarely called for, are yet ncces-
sary to complete the circle; all the parts OF
which contribute to the improvement of the
country, and some Of them to its preservation
Mr. Madison in his sixth annual message,
says:
The present is favorable season, also, for
bringing again into view the establishment OF
a national seminary of learning within the Dis
trict of Columbia. and with means drawn from
the property therein, subject to the authority
Of the General Government. Such an institu-
ton claims the patronage OF Congress, as
monument of their sOlicitude for the advance
ment of knowledge without which the bless
ings of liberty cannot be fully enjoyed or long
preserved
Mr. Monroe in his second message says:
The conduct OF the Government in what
relates to foreign powers is always an object Of
the highest importance to the nation. It's
agriculture commerce, manufactures, fisheries,
revenue-in short its peace-may all be at
fected byit. Attention is therefore due to this
subject
Mr.. Adams. in his fourth annual message,
recommends attention to agriculture, in con-
junction with commerce and other interests.
The opinions entertained by Presidents sue
ceeding Mr. Adams down TO the time of Mr..
! Polk, have not the time to examine critically
! in relation to their particular views, further
than to copy single sentence of President
! Jackson, in the commencement of his third an
| nual message:
agriculture, the first and most important
occupation of man, has compensated the labors
of the husbandman with plentiful crops of all
the varied products of our extensive country
President Polk in his fourth annual message.
says:
With the repeal of the prohibitory and
restrictive duties of the act Of 1912 the great
and important interests of agriculture, which
haf been not only too much neglected, but
actually taxed, under the protective policy for
the benefit of other interests have been relieved
of the burdens which that policy imposed on
them; and our farmers and planters, under
the more Just and liberal commercial policy,
are finding new and profitable markets abroad
for their augmented products"
That part of the Presidents message was
referred TO the Committee on Agriculture, and
a very full report emanated from that commit
tee, showing clearly that the farming interest
had received no aid at all under the law of
1876 over that of 1912. This subject cannot
now consider and all ! introduce it for is to
show his opinion that that interest had been
too long neglected.
The agricultural societies that sprung up
during the life of General Washington died
away at his death and within the last few
years have been again revived and increased,
the particulars of which | will by and by,
show, and with them the public attention again
called to the original object of General Wash
ington.
What happy thing it is for this Govern
mcnt that the crowded page of history, after
nearly sixty years, can be reviewed with so
much satisfaction and profit
President Taylor in his annual message of
December 1849, called the attention Of Con-
gress directly to this subject in the following
manner:
mo direct aid has been given by the Gen
eral Government to the improvement of agri-
culture, except by the expenditure of small
sums for the collection and publication of agr-
| cultural Statistics and for some chemical anal
uses, which have been. thus far, paid for out of
the patent fund. This aid is, in my opinion,
,l,,li, ~
branch of American industry the encourage.
ment which it merits respectfully recommend
the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau,
to be connected with the Department of the In
terror To elevate the social condition of the
agriculturist, to increase his prosperity, and to
extend his means of usefulness to his country,
by multiplying his sources of information should
be the study Of every statesman, and primary
object with every legislator
Upon this message, and resolutions of several
State egslatures-Vermont New York NEAR
ly or quite Unanimously Massachusetts Tennes-
see, Pennsylvania, Alabama and State boards
of Ohio and New York, and of agricultural
societies and also petitions, extensively, from
indiyiduals--a bill from the minority of the
Committee upon Agriculture was presented to
the House on the 3lst of July, 1850, to estab-
lish an Agricultural Bureau, and laid upon the
table; and there it remained and was never
called up and from all this mass of evidence
and the weight of it's influence, and the de-
mands and wants Of more than eighteen mil
hons of people, this little bill, from the minor
ity of the committee, is the product, and the
only product May not the farmers of the
country be constrained to cry out "Our voice
If not heard; our prayers are not regarded ;
our interests are passed over with too much in
dltference!"
Within the last two years, that prophetic
declaration of General Washington that small
er societies must move the nation to which |
before referred, is being more strongly demon
strated New York has n State society and
from seventy to eighty county societies Penn
sylyania has from twelve to twenty county
societies and many grouped together Ohio
has a state society, and seventy county soc-
cites. Massachusetts has twelve societies and
in many of these societies several counties to-
gether. Michigan has twenty county societies
Indiana, State society Kentucky, five coun-
ty societies. Georgia, State society and if
teen county societies South Carolina has six
county societies Virginia has n State society
and three county societies Mary land State
society and four county societies. Vermont a
State society and four county societies, and was
the first State to ask us to establish "a national
pohru new hampshire State society aud
. eight or nine county societies, and also asked
D Congress to establish a board Connecticut, n
number of county societies. Rhode island has
also passed resolutions asking Congress to es-
tablish board. Maine has six county socic-
ties. Iowa, State society and six or eight
county societies. Wisconsin, State society.
Illinois, three county societies Tennessee has
, some county societies, and two years since
unanimously recommended ma tonal board
Florida has passed resolution for II national
board Louisiana in lsls passed a law for a
bureau